TORNADOES STRIKE WEST OF U.S.A.
29 People Killed, And Many Injured NEW YORK, May 21 (Recd. 11pm). —A series of tornadoes ripped through the Middle West last night, killing at least 29 and injuring more than 210. The death toll is expected to rise when communications are restored. Tornadoes struck Illinois, IndianaMissouri and lowa, damaging homes, destroying aircraft, cutting power lines, uprooting trees, smashing windows and severing water supplies. At least 14 were killed at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, four at Sh’elbourne, I Indiana, two at Terra Haute, Indiana, four at Palestine, Illinois, four at Wodr Ver, Illinois- and one at Clarksville. Missouri. The four killed at Palestine were all in a drive-in cafe, which witnesses say just disappeared. An eye-witness at Terra Haute said the storm virtually wiped out the west, side of the town, levelling a high school gymnasium and smashing the top floor of the school s main building. The tornado that struck Shelbourne blew a four-year-old girl up a tree. She was found in branches 20ft. above the ground, but escaped with only cuts and bruises. The death toll from tornadoes during the last week is now nearly 70.
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Wanganui Chronicle, 23 May 1949, Page 5
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192TORNADOES STRIKE WEST OF U.S.A. Wanganui Chronicle, 23 May 1949, Page 5
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