Can you imagine a third of your town being destroyed within a matter of minutes? That’s what happened to the small, close-knit community of Pryor, Oklahoma on April 27, 1942, when a deadly tornado touched down. At approximately 5:00 p.m. local time, an EF4 tornado swept through the main business district of town and the residential section, demolishing 500 buildings, killing 52 people and injuring 350 others. As if the tornado wasn’t bad enough, the town was also hit with torrential rains that left knee-deep water, halting emergency rescue and cleanup efforts. Let’s take a look back to that terrifying day in 1942, when one of the worst tornadoes in Oklahoma history spiraled through:

The tornado struck the town of Talala before it hit Pryor. The Talala residents reported that the tornado didn't have the usual funnel, but by the time it reached Pryor there was a definite funnel.
Pryor Public Library
Pictured below is Main Street before the tornado struck.
Pryor Public Library
Within minutes, the street was demolished and looked like a war zone.
Pryor Public Library
Main Street sustained the worst of the damage.
Pryor Public Library
The town's two hospitals were also destroyed, and local churches and businesses still standing were used as makeshift shelters and medical centers.
Pryor Public Library
Some victims were transported by shuttle train to Vinita for medical attention.
Pryor Public Library
The town was put under martial law, but because the National Guard was activated due to World War II, state troopers were sent in to maintain order.
Pryor Public Library

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Not only was the business district hit, but the residential section of town was taken out as well.
Pryor Public Library
This mobile home was flipped upside down, as they so easily do in tornadoes.
Pryor Public Library
The caption says it all, "Main Street - A Jumbled Mass of Wreckage."
Pryor Public Library
The town grocery store, Safeway, was unrecognizable.
Pryor Public Library
All the cars at the Chevrolet Garage were demolished.
Pryor Public Library
The local Baptist Church was left without a house of worship.
Pryor Public Library
Those unharmed quickly gathered together to rescue the injured and recover those who lost their lives.
Pryor Public Library
Those who lived through this terrifying day will never forget the tragedy and devastation that occurred.
Pryor Public Library

We are thankful for the advancements in weather forecasting, but the Pryor, Oklahoma tornado of 1942 is a good reminder to take them seriously.

For additional photos of this Oklahoma tornado and its subsequent damage, visit the Pryor Public Library’s online gallery or check out some footage in the video above.

Oklahoma has a bit of a reputation for its often terrifying and unpredictable weather, but there’s still a lot to love about our state. The most beautiful places in Oklahoma are wildly underrated by those who aren’t from around here, but we love them all!

14 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Oklahoma That You Must See Before You Die

 

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