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40th Anniversary of Twin F-5 Tornadoes

By Nick Weig

Story Created: May 15, 2008 at 8:05 AM CST

Story Updated: May 15, 2008 at 4:49 PM CST

CHARLES CITY - 40 years ago, Iowa saw a historic tornado outbreak. In one day, two F-5 tornadoes, with winds over 260mph, struck the towns of Charles City and Oelwein. As you drive through downtown Charles City it's still a historic district...but all the buildings are new.

There were also a handful of other less powerful twisters, all in the north central region of Iowa.

Eighteen people died after twisters that devastated the towns of Charles City and Oelwein.

Since then, the state hasn't seen another fatal F-5 tornado.

For residents like John Culvertson...the tornado is something he'll never forget. "I went out to see what was going on outside my office. As I looked up I saw barns, pieces of tin, and I actually saw a horse flying through the sky." Memories of the Charles City tornado have been collected at the Floyd County Museum.

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