Did you know that a Ramah man was injured in 1932 when a tornado tossed a mule against him? But first, a word about severe weather preparedness.

As our area braces for potentially inclement weather, we would like to encourage you to please ensure that you and your family are prepared to take cover in a secure, interior space in the event of a tornado or violent storm. If you live in a trailer or mobile home, be sure to evacuate to a more-secure location well before the storms hit (such as a neighbor’s or relative’s home).

Our area has an unfortunately long history with dangerous thunderstorms. One hair-raising episode of Lawrence County’s severe weather history occurred in Ramah, near Five Points.

On March 21, 1932, in part of a deadly outbreak of storms that killed over 400 people throughout five Southern states, a tornado described in a contemporary newspaper account as being “over 50 feet wide” touched down in “a valley near Ramah.” The tornado struck the home of Bud and Troy Lussman.

Bud Lussman was in the barn when the storm struck. A mule was blown against him, breaking his arm in two places. His wife and four children were in the house. When the storm struck the house, Mrs. Lussman was thrown into the fireplace, and their children were scattered over the field, some landing 150 yards from the house. Miraculously, although the parents were both injured, no one was killed at the Lussman house.

The tornado then destroyed the nearby home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Welch. The couple and their son, Jack, were all injured by the storm, but everyone in the household survived. Jack was blown 50 feet by the storm as he attempted to enter the cellar.

In 1932, the people of Ramah had practically no warning when the tornado approached their community. Today, thanks to dedicated meteorologists and modern technology, we have more warning that violent storms are approaching. Please remain weather alert! Tune in to local radio and television stations to keep abreast of developing severe weather stories this week.