The 1929 Cyclone of Rye Cove, Virginia: Storm, Song, and Suit

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In this episode, we head back to May 2, 1929, when a deadly tornado tore through the small mountain community of Rye Cove, Virginia, claiming the lives of 12 schoolchildren and one teacher and leaving lasting scars on the region.

We explore:

• What happened that spring afternoon in Rye Cove and the impact on the community.
• How the tragedy inspired a haunting ballad by the Carter Family, written by A.P. Carter who witnessed the storm and its aftermath.
• A little-known legal battle that followed: a surprising lawsuit settled in 1931 that raised questions about school safety, weather preparedness, and district accountability.

From the winds of tragedy to the echoes in old-time music and the courtroom, this episode weaves together history, culture, and Appalachian resilience.

To see photos of the storm's aftermath and hear a full account of the tornado from one of the schoolchildren subscribe to Talking Appalachian on Patreon

🎶 Featuring clips from "The Cyclone of Rye Cove" by the Carter Family.

📚 For more on the history of Rye Cove and its legacy, see my full interview on YouTube with WCYB's Kristen Quon

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Unless another artist is featured, acoustic music on most episodes: "Steam Train" written by Elizabeth Cotten and performed by Landon Spain