Beatty Swamps Tornado of May 10, 1933

Shortly after midnight on May 10, 1033 an F4 tornado touched down in northern Overton County. It moved for 20 miles from near Livingston to near Byrdstown. Thirty-three of the 35 deaths were in Beatty Swamps, 6 miles north of Livingston. The half-mile wide funnel destroyed every home in the community, and killed or injured virtually every resident. Much of the area was swept clean of debris. Damage totaled $100,000. There were 150 injuries. (According to the family of Ewing Hull, the air after suppertime was very quiet, although stifling for May. The Hull cabin was blown away that night, and the family woke up on the ground.) This is the second deadliest tornado ever to strike Middle Tennessee.

Remains of a frame home in Beatty Swamps.

Crowd that attended the burial. Coffin is that of Una Cole, draped with a flag.

Cole family coffins lined up for burial in a neighbor's yard near the cemetery. The entire family was buried in a mass grave under one tombstone.

Photographs were provided by Ronald Dishman, Overton County Historian.

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