Episode 130: Tornado Warning

The Strange South Podcast

Patrice, Marleah, and Courtney drink Clean Up Sangria and talk about the worst tornadoes ever to hit the South.

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On April 5, 1936, the small town of Tupelo, Mississippi, was struck by a devastating F5 tornado, one of the deadliest in U.S. history. With little warning, the massive twister left a path of destruction, killing over 200 people and injuring hundreds more. Among the hardest-hit areas was the Gum Pond community, a predominantly Black neighborhood where countless homes were destroyed. In the wake of the disaster, Tupelo's residents displayed remarkable resilience, coming together to rebuild their homes, lives, and communities. The tornado's tragic impact highlighted the importance of preparedness and early warning systems, serving as a somber reminder of the power and unpredictability of these natural disasters.