Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1926

An outbreak of twenty-seven tornadoes killed fifty-one people and caused damage in twelve Arkansas counties on Thanksgiving Day in 1926, with Heber Springs (Cleburne County) suffering significant fatalities.

At 5:45 p.m. on November 25, 1926, “Heber Springs was swept by the most disastrous tornado in its history.” The tornado touched down in the southwestern part of town and, moving northeast, “cut a path through the entire city…leaving only a mass of wreckage in its path.” Seven people were killed in the Richardson Building, which “was picked up and hurled across the street.”

The twister cut through fifteen city blocks, destroying 145 houses and five of the city’s six churches—only the Central Methodist Episcopal Church still stood, though “badly damaged.” Damages were estimated at $500,000. A total of twenty-one people were killed in Heber Springs, including the baby and husband of folk singer Almeda Riddle. Among the homes destroyed was that of photographer Mike Disfarmer.

As the tornado passed, “the entire population rushed to the scene to begin rescue work, and amid blinding sheets of lightning and a torrential downpour of rain accompanied with hail, rescue work proceeded.” Fires broke out amid the destruction, but the heavy rain helped keep them in check.

At least forty-eight people were injured. The Cleburne County Courthouse was used as a hospital, and doctors and nurses from Searcy (White County) and Pangburn (White County) rushed to Heber Springs to assist. Ten of the badly injured were sent to hospitals in Little Rock (Pulaski County), and Governor Thomas Terral called out the National Guard to patrol the city.

An hour after the Heber Springs tornado, a second twister struck six miles south of there, killing four members of the J. H. Ladd family “and doing much damage” at Wilburn (Cleburne County). At least seven buildings were damaged or destroyed at Quitman (Cleburne and Faulkner counties), and one person was killed at nearby Enders (Faulkner County). Two people died in a twister at Choctaw (Van Buren County).

Thirteen people died in Jefferson and Lincoln counties, including ten who were killed as they left a wedding at the New Hope Church east of Tamo (Jefferson County) and three who died at Gould (Lincoln County). One person died and four were injured in Grant County two miles south of Sheridan (Grant County). A child died in a Pope County tornado, and two other people were killed in Jackson County near Newport (Jackson County).

In a tornado that struck Conway County, five people died and seven were injured at Oppelo (Conway County); two others died in Macedonia (Conway County), and one was killed in the Wolverton Mountain community.

In the November 25, 1926, outbreak, a total of twenty-seven twisters were recorded in Yell, Saline, Faulkner, Conway, Van Buren, Pope, Cleburne, Jackson, Mississippi, Grant, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties. The overall damage was estimated at $800,000, which would be more than $14.5 million in 2025 dollars.

For additional information:
“13 Negroes Killed Near Pine Bluff.” Arkansas Gazette, November 27, 1926, p. 1.

“The 1926 Tornado.” Cleburne County Historical Journal 12 (Fall 1986): 71–85.

“29 Known to Be Dead and Over 50 Injured on Series of Scattered Tornadoes in Various Parts of Arkansas.” Arkansas Gazette, November 26, 1926, p. 1.

Duckworth, Gloria. “Tornado in Heber Springs November 26 Thanksgiving Day.” Cleburne County Historical Journal 30 (Winter 2004): 142–146.

Porterfield, Jan. “1926 Tornado.” Cleburne County Historical Journal 30 (Winter 2004): 123–141.

“Seven Known Dead in Conway County.” Arkansas Gazette, November 27, 1926, p. 1.