The Frost, TX F4 Tornado
This tornado tracked NE from near Bynum, Irene, Mertens and through the town of Frost. Total path length of 35 miles through parts of Hill, Navarro and Ellis Counties. The max width was estimated at 500 yards. There were 41 fatalities and 200 injuries reported.
Several farms were devastated south of Bynum and Mertens in Hill County. 16 deaths occurred in this area. The entire town of Frost was destroyed. At least 22 people were killed. Only three brick buildings remained standing. “The death toll of 22 at Frost was set only two days after the event. At that time, there were still over 50 people hospitalized, so the death toll may have gone higher.” (Grazulis, 834)
Near Frost, three teachers and 75 students huddled in culverts and ditches as the school was hit. Two teachers and 20 children were injured by flying debris. It was mentioned that the roar was heard 10 miles away.
Other deaths were reported south of Rankin, south of Bardwell and near Ensign (Ellis County). Also in Ellis County, a train, seeing the tornado in the distance, backed up toward the southeast, allowing the twister the right-of-way.
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