had already been extremely deadly tornado season due to multiple outbreaks that affected a vast majority of the country in the Spring and Early-Summer. In particular, tornadoes in Waco, Texas, Flint, Michigan, and Worcester, Massachusetts had taken 324 lives and injured thousands more. Tornado activity had slowed down heading into July, however, with no fatal tornadoes having occurred from July to November. Climatologically, however, the Southeast can routinely provide favorable conditions for tornado outbreaks in the Winter months and on December 1, 1953, a mile-wide F3 tornado southeast of Seguin, Texas kicked off six straight days of active and deadly tornado activity.
Fort Polk–Northwestern Alexandria–Dry Prong–Tullos, Louisiana
This deadly, long-tracked, violent F4 tornado—which was likely a tornado family—moved over an erratic path, devastating areas near Fort Polk, Alexandria, and Georgetown in the Kisatchie National Forest during the early-morning hours of December 3. It first touched down in Fort Polk and moved northeastward towards Alexandria, Louisiana, causing mostly heavy tree damage. It then moved off the Fort, clipping the northwest side of Leander, causing tremendous damage with four homes in Leander incurring F4-level damage. Throughout Vernon Parish, the tornado killed seven, injured 20, and caused $2.5 million in damage. The tornado then moved into Rapides Parish, reportedly damaging the town of Hineston. It then moved back into rural areas before striking the town of Otis. It clipped the northwest side of the Claiborne Range before moving over the Kincaid Resivoir into far western Alexandria. As it continued northeastward, major damage was inflicted to the northwest side of city in Lee Heights as well as to the Kingsville neighborhood. At the latter place, the tornado destroyed or damaged 20 homes. The tornado then made an abrupt turn to the north-northwest, striking the Paradise community east of Tioga causing significant propety damage. A trailer with four sleeping highway employees was thrown, although all the people survived. Damage was also inflicted to the present-day town of Ball as well. Throughout Rapides Parish, the tornado injured 10 people and caused $5 million in damage. After entering Grant Parish and striking the site of the Pollock Municipal Airport, the tornado hit the town of Bentley, heavily damaging it. It then paralleled US 167 and struck the town of Dry Prong. From there, the tornado, either through reformation or just a sharp right turn, started traveling northeastward, clipping Western Breezy Hill and Western Lincecum before heavily damaging Mudville as it crossed over US 165. It then passed through the town of Selma as well as the east side of Georgetown. Throughout Grant Parish, the tornado injured five people and caused $7.5 million in damage. The tornado then entered La Salle Parish with catastrophic results. Heavy damage was done in a rural area before the tornado struck Tullos. Damage here was severe as approximately 60 homes were damaged or destroyed, two small children were killed and 15 other people were injured. Thousands of trees were damaged in this area as well, many of which were downed or splintered, before the tornado rapidly weakened and dissipated. Damage in and around Tullos was estimated at $2.5 million. The tornado was on the ground for 2 hours and 15 minutes, tracked, and had a maximum width of. It killed nine, injured 50, and caused $17.5 million in damage.
Vicksburg–Waltersville, Mississippi
On December 5, a powerful and destructive tornado touched down over the Yazoo River in Warren County, Mississippi and struck Downtown Vicksburg, causing major devastation throughout the city. It destroyed electrical services and multiple buildings in and around downtown, ignited several fires, and totaled numerous automobiles. In total, 38 people were killed, 270 others received injuries, and total damages were estimated at $25 million. The tornado is officially estimated to have been an F5 tornado on the Fujita scale; however, the rating is questionable, since the tornado demolished frail structures. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F4.
Non-tornadic effects
In addition to the tornadoes on December 5, severe thunderstorm winds injured seven people near Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Aftermath and recovery
The F4 tornado in Louisiana temporarily knocked out power to the Alexandria area, hampering communications. At one point the twister was actually headed directly towards the downtown area, but fortunately narrowly missed it as well the VA hospital five miles north of the city. No one was injured and no property damage was reported there or in the city. In Vicksburg, Mississippi, the F5 tornado broke the city's gas line, which remained out of service after repairs. Residents were forced to go without cooked food even as temperatures dropped to overnight on December 6.
