In this summary, we look at an F3 that hit Franklin, IN on October 11, 1954. Per the Climatological Data National Summary (CDNS), this tornado had a skipping path of about five miles. It hit first WSW of Franklin and destroyed a church. Two homes were damaged as well. The tornado then lifted and hit the western edge of town. An auction barn was leveled and there were several injuries. A total of 10 injuries is listed in the CDNS report. This differs from the SPC Database. No injuries are listed with this event. The tornado “jumped” again across Highway 31. It was in this area that a home and barn were destroyed and there were two deaths. 30 other homes were heavily damaged. Per the CDNS entry, “Photographs made from air clearly show path of twister through corn fields. Much of path through open fields kept damage relatively low.”
I searched several newspapers to gather the details on the fatalities and it is such a tragic story. Mrs. Colleen Williams, 24 years old, was hit in the head by a falling tree limb. She died at the hospital just a few hours after she received the injury.
Mrs. Williams was expecting a baby. Minutes after her death, doctors delivered her baby girl. She was born 2 weeks prematurely and weighed 5 1/2 pounds. Here is a clip from The Indianapolis News:
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