Dread on the Delta: The Mississippi Delta Outbreak of 1971

The Mississippi Delta Outbreak of 1971 produced violent tornadoes in Northeast Louisiana and Mississippi. A lot of lives were lost that February day. About sixteen years ago I met a lady that saw this storm at a planning meeting. From her body language, facial expressions and voice, she saw this storm. From all accounts it was a monster. The storm struck Sunday, February 21, 1971.

When I was a kid our family traveled to Huntsville, Alabama once a year to see relatives. We drove U.S. Hwy 80 and crossed that rickety Mississippi River Bridge with the railroad alongside. My dad would always point out where the tornado crossed the highway.

This is where the storm story begins.

The funnel cloud was first sighted northwest of Crowville, LA in Franklin Parish at 2:45 p.m. The tornado touched down south of U.S. Highway 80 and moved through the Waverly Community at 3:10 p.m. It completely demolishing a farmstead on Jones Bayou, killing 10 members of one family. One surviving youth suffered a broken back. Three other houses and a country church were destroyed. Trees and power lines were downed as the storm moved to the Northeast at 50 mph. into East Carroll Parish. It tracked through unpopulated areas as it closed in on the Melbourne Community.

In the Pecan Road area of the Melbourne Community, located south of Transylvania on LA. Highway 65, homes and trailers were damaged. Farm equipment thrown about, and the Pecan Orchard was heavily damaged. More damage was done, and lives lost as these storms moved into Mississippi.

Severe Weather Plan
Make sure there is a severe weather plan everywhere your family members are. This includes the home, business, school, childcare, church, governmental institutions and anywhere else they may be.

Develop your severe weather plan on a Blue-Sky day.

Source: NWS, Newspaper.com and local knowledge

Tom M.

The Monroe News-Star
Monroe, Louisiana 22 Feb 1971, Mon • Page 1
Researched by Tom Malmay

©2022 Tom Malmay