🐟 The Day Fish Rained from the Sky in Marksville

On an otherwise quiet October morning in 1947 residents of Marksville stepped outside expecting fog and calm weather Instead they witnessed something that would become one of the most talked about events in Avoyelles Parish history Fish began falling from the sky

According to long remembered accounts the unusual event occurred on Oct. 23 1947 Fish of various sizes rained down across parts of Marksville landing in yards streets and along Main Street near the courthouse Witnesses reported fish measuring anywhere from just a few inches long to nearly a foot with species believed to include bass sac a lait and catfish

One of the most well known firsthand witnesses was Eleanor Gremillion who later served as president and secretary of the Marksville Chamber of Commerce She recalled stepping outside to hang laundry when she was struck by something unexpected Looking down she realized it was a fish Moments later more fish began falling around her

Gremillion later described seeing fish flopping on the ground while people along Main Street reacted in disbelief She remembered professional men heading to work as fish landed near their feet only two blocks from the courthouse Some residents even gathered the fish and fried them reporting they were fresh

The incident drew widespread attention and sparked numerous theories Shortly after the event weather officials suggested the fish may have been lifted from nearby bodies of water by a powerful updraft such as a waterspout or dust devil then dropped when the winds weakened However no tornadoes or severe storms were officially recorded in the area that day adding to the mystery

Later accounts suggested that turbulent conditions on nearby waterways such as Spring Bayou may have created a spinning column of air capable of lifting fish and carrying them inland While scientists generally agree that waterspouts can transport small animals the lack of rainfall or severe weather on that day has left questions unanswered

Interest in the strange event persisted for decades Gremillion was interviewed multiple times over the years and remained a key source of information until her death in 2019 She often noted that while the event was unusual nearby waters were full of fish making a natural explanation plausible

Marksville is not the only place where fish have reportedly fallen from the sky Similar events have been documented in other parts of the world including Mexico Australia Ireland and Honduras What makes Marksville’s case unique is that it occurred without rain

The story remains a point of local fascination On the 50th anniversary of the event the Marksville Chamber of Commerce commemorated the occasion by tossing plastic fish to crowds gathered on the courthouse square honoring a moment when nature briefly turned everyday life upside down More than 75 years later the day fish fell on Marksville continues to be shared as one of Avoyelles Parish’s most unforgettable stories