The Shinnston Tornado

West Virginia’s Worst Tornado Erases the State’s Sense of immunity From Such Storms.
With its steep topography, residents in West Virginia are typically more concerned with floods than tornadoes, but in 1944, the Appalachian tornado outbreak unleashed fury upon the mountains. A category F-4 storm tested the resilience of Shinnston and the surrounding area.

[@drichi07]

I have heard stories of this tornado---well before my time----that some initially thought it had been some sort of attack related to the war. My dad, who was 12 when this occurred, told of seeing (or hearing of) a tree stump with a straw driven through it displayed in a shop window in Clarksburg afterward.

[@mocarpenter8836]

My Grandfather grew up in Gypsy West Virginia. Which as the crow flys Gypsy is aprox 2 miles south of Shinnston !! He would tell us stories about watching the Tornado rip thru Shinnston from his back porch!! That it was a mile wide and was so powerful it sucked the West Fork River dry!! That's some crazy powerful stuff!! I have an actual photo from june 1944 of Shinnston Pleasant Hill area the day after. Total destruction!! From what I understand if this twister would have hit a more populated area. Like Clarksburg or Fairmont, that it would have been an F5 100% !! And from what I have seen and heard. I believe it!!

[@mocarpenter8836]

I committed before it was over !! Haha 100% truth about the West Fork !! I have heard that several times over the yrs!! Truth if you ask me !! It's crazy how it's not talked about more. 130+ ppl died in the tri state area. It's was the 1st and only F4 to ever hit WV!!