As another hot, humid West Virginia summer day came to a close in June of 1944, disaster and terror struck Shinnston, West Virginia and surrounding communities. The storm that hit Shinnston came during a cluster of deadly storms that ranged across West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The storm killed 103 and injured over 400, hitting the Pleasant Hill area most severely, leaving only 10 houses standing.
Tornadoes strike rarely in West Virginia and when they do hit, are rarely among the largest. Officials estimate the Shinnston tornado to have been an F 4 with over 200 mile per hour winds, the second most powerful category.
It was said that mail picked up from mailboxes in Shinnston was found as far away as Moorefield in Hardy County.
Experts state that the storm system spawned seven tornadoes in the three states, three of which were F 4.
