Goliad, Texas Tornado Outbreak

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Deadliest tornadoes in United States history Death counts before 1900 may be approximate
Rank	Tornado	Date	Deaths
1	"Tri-State"	March 18, 1925	695
2	Natchez, MS	May 6, 1840	317
3	St. Louis and East St. Louis	May 27, 1896	255
4	Tupelo, MS	April 5, 1936	216
5	Gainesville, GA	April 5, 1936	203
6	Woodward, OK	April 9, 1947	181
7	Amite, LA and Purvis, MS	April 24, 1908	143
8	New Richmond, WI	June 12, 1899	117
9	Flint, MI	June 8, 1953	115
10	Waco, TX	May 11, 1953	114
	Goliad, TX	May 18, 1902	114
Source: Storm Prediction Center

The Goliad Tornado was a tornado that struck the town of Goliad, Texas on May 18, 1902. The twister touched down on the south side of the San Antonio River at 3:35 p.m.

The tornado claimed 114 lives, injured 230 people, and caused $50,000 damage (in 1902 dollars). Of those 114 deaths, at least 50 were members of an African-American Methodist church, who died when their sanctuary was razed. After the disaster, the Goliad County courthouse served as a temporary hospital and morgue. [1]

It is tied with the Waco Tornado of May 11, 1953 as the deadliest in Texas history and tenth overall in the United States.

[edit] See also

List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks