# Tornado outbreak of January 3, 1949

A deadly tornado outbreak produced at least 14 destructive tornadoes across Kansas, Louisiana, and Arkansas on Monday, January 3, 1949. The worst of the outbreak was a deadly, devastating and violent (estimated) F4 tornado that tore though Warren, Arkansas. Part of a multi-state family, the tornado killed at least 55 people, a majority of the deaths in the outbreak, and is now tied with the Fort Smith tornado from 1898 as the deadliest in Arkansas history. In addition, a pair of deadly F3 tornadoes in Louisiana, along with a few other strong tornadoes in Arkansas, claimed five more lives. Overall, a total of 60 or more people were killed from the outbreak, and over 500 sustained injuries.

## Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating :
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
| 2 | ? | ? | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | ≥14 |
Prior to 1990, there is a likely undercount of tornadoes, particularly E/F0–1, with reports of weaker tornadoes becoming more common as population increased. A sharp increase in the annual average E/F0–1 count by approximately 200 tornadoes was noted upon the implementation of NEXRAD Doppler weather radar in 1990–1991. 1974 marked the first year where significant tornado (E/F2+) counts became homogenous with contemporary values, attributed to the consistent implementation of Fujita scale assessments. Numerous discrepancies on the details of tornadoes in this outbreak exist between sources. The total count of tornadoes and ratings differs from various agencies accordingly. The list below documents information from the most contemporary official sources alongside assessments from tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.
List of confirmed tornadoes in the tornado outbreak of January 3, 1949 :
| F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Time (UTC) | Path length | Width | Damage |
| F3 | NE of Altoona to Vilas to SW of Petrolia | Wilson, Neosho | Kansas | 20:00–? | 18 mi (29 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $120,000 |
| This intense tornado wrecked seven homes, half a dozen of them at Vilas, along with 20 or more barns and a 12-mile-long (19 km) stretch of power lines. One other building and 13 other homes incurred damage. One person was injured. ||||||||
| F3 | NE of Iola to E of Bush City | Allen, Anderson | Kansas | 20:30–21:00 | 25 mi (40 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $45,000 |
| Another intense tornado flattened a trio of barns and a pair of homes, killing livestock as well. Numerous outbuildings received damage. ||||||||
| F2 | Near Dixie to N of Sarepta | Caddo, Bossier, Webster | Louisiana | 20:45–? | 25 mi (40 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Un­known |
| This was the first member of a state-crossing tornado family that included the Warren F4. Some homes were wrecked near Sarepta, with 14 injuries resulting. ||||||||
| FU | SW to NE of Richter | Franklin | Kansas | 21:00–21:30 | Un­known | 200 yd (180 m) | $500 |
| This tornado left only scattered impacts. Barns and outbuildings were damaged. ||||||||
| F3 | Near Cotton Valley to Gordon | Webster, Claiborne | Louisiana | 21:15–? | 25 mi (40 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | Un­known |
| 1 death – This tornado destroyed approximately 20 homes, passing close to the path of a deadly F4 that hit Cotton Valley on December 31, 1947, killing 18 people. South of Haynesville a bus idled to let the tornado pass by 200 yd (600 ft) ahead. Seven people were injured, all at Gordon, where the death occurred. ||||||||
| F2 | Near Bunn to Farindale to Grapevine | Dallas, Cleveland, Grant | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 18 mi (29 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $16,000 |
| 1 death – This tornado touched down intermittently, wrecking barns and small homes, including four homes at Grapevine. Vehicles were damaged as well. Seven people were injured. ||||||||
| F2 | Near Bismarck to near Magnet | Hot Spring | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 20 mi (32 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Un­known |
| Forests and homes were leveled. One person were injured. ||||||||
| F3 | Near Hopewell to N of El Dorado | Union | Arkansas | 22:00–? | 10 mi (16 km) | Un­known | Un­known |
| 2 deaths – At least a few homes were flattened, along with much timber. 18 people were injured. ||||||||
| F4 | E of El Dorado to Warren | Union, Calhoun, Bradley | Arkansas | 22:15–? | 40 mi (64 km) | 1,320 yd (1,210 m)♯ | $1,300,000 |
| 55+ deaths – This event likely comprised two or three distinct tornadoes, but details are incomplete. Small homes and several hundred acres of trees were leveled near the start of the path. Strengthening, the tornado tracked into Warren with catastrophic result. Of the 120 homes destroyed, most were leveled—many without trace, as foundations were swept clean. 72 others incurred severe damage, 150 more minor losses. A bus was twisted around a tree, multi-ton steel debris carried 3⁄4 mi (1.2 km), weighty timbers driven 2 to 3 ft (0.67 to 1.00 yd) straight into the earth, and a 1-tonne (1,000 kg), steel I-beam bent. In all, 500 homes were damaged. All known fatalities occurred at Warren, mostly in the northeastern section. 435 people were injured. Small items from Warren were carried 70 mi (110 km). ||||||||
| F2 | Near Malvern | Hot Spring | Arkansas | 22:20–? | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Un­known |
| Barns were shattered and homes unroofed. ||||||||
| F2 | Kentucky to Congo | Saline | Arkansas | 22:30–? | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Un­known |
| Barns and small homes were torn apart. There were two injuries. ||||||||
| F3 | Near Choudrant to W of Downsville to E of Farmerville | Lincoln, Union | Louisiana | 00:30–? | 20 mi (32 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $95,000 |
| 1 death – 19 homes were wrecked, along with 11 other structures. There were 14 injuries. ||||||||
| F2 | S of Gould | Lincoln, Desha | Arkansas | 01:00–? | 5 mi (8.0 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Un­known |
| A bus was twisted around a tree, and a trio of homes were wrecked. There were five injuries. ||||||||
| FU | Near Pinnacle Mountain | Pulaski | Arkansas | Un­known | Un­known | Un­known | Un­known |
| This tornado hit a prison farm. ||||||||