Pruden, TN Tornado, May 1933

Pruden Hard Hit

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Mar. 15 (AP) – Pruden, Tenn., a coal mining town near the Tennessee-Kentucky border, in which eight are known dead and approximately 50 injured in a tornado which struck last night, was still cut off today from communication with the outside world.

All telephone lines within the area are down.

Over treacherous mountain roads, six ambulances from Middlesboro, Ky., hauled the injured from the mining camp to Middlesboro throughout last night.

The dead are MR. AND MRS. OMAR KEITH and two of their children; ROBERT MASON, 30; two children of LEONARD PERRY who were burned to death in their home when it caught fire during the storm; and an infant child of CHARLES BUTTERINI.

Between 50 and 60 of the 350 houses in the town were wrecked and most of the others were unroofed. Two coal tipples were practically destroyed. A school house and church were smashed to pieces. The railway depot was overturned. The commissary was demolished.
Residents reported that hail stones as large as hen eggs and baseballs fell after the wind had ripped through the town.

Roads were made almost impassable by fallen trees.

From Middlesboro it was announced that W. I. JONES, Red Cross field representative, had arranged to set up food kitchens early today and extend relief to the more than 100 homeless families.

The Kingsport Times Tennessee 1933-03-15
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!