Weather
This is how a section of downtown Oelwein looked Thursday morning in an aerial view, after a tornado slashed northward through the community Wednesday (5-15) afternoon. The ruins of the blacksmith shop are shown at near center left with the Christ United Presbyterian Church at an angle across the street. Oelwein's water and sewage system was functioning Thursday and some telephones service had been restored. Hundreds of houses and business places were damaged, with many destroyed, and damage was estimated at $14 million. Two deaths in Oelwein (actually three) were blamed on the storm. First Avenue (1st Ave., Highway 150) runs diagonally across the photo from middle left to lower right. Photo May 16, 1968, by the Gazette. 40th Anniversary of Twin F-5 Tornadoes
By
Nick Weig
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Monday, May 19 at 2:49 PM Jan Eckhardt wrote ...
My grandmother and grandfather were living on the northwest side of town and escapted injury and damaged to the house. I was living in the Chicago suburbs at the time when my parents got the call about the devastating tornado. We tried to drive out to see them within a few days and were turned away and were not able to get in the town. What a memory that was.
Flag for moderationSaturday, May 17 at 5:01 AM Allen J. Troupe wrote ...
I can still remember it like it was yesterday, not 40 yrs ago. I was 12 yrs old & watched it rip thru Oelwein from my dining room window. No amount of pictures can adequately show the destruction. & nothing can fully capture the emotions. I thank God none of my family was hurt & that for an F5 there wasn't more loss of life. PS, that IS E. Charles below the church in the picture. The view is looking S from the bottom of the shot.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 1:03 PM Mary Ann Cole wrote ...
I remember well the tornado of '68 my family and I watched it from about a 5 mile distance...I remember also, that it destroyed half Maynard and we had 2 deaths there! Because communications were down we didn't get any assistance until a day or two later. That was my 1st tornando, unfortunately not my last...2nd one was in Evansville, IN in the spring of 1981.
Flag for moderationFriday, May 16 at 1:09 AM CFMike wrote ...
Video link is not working!
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 11:56 PM Rdwsmom@aol.com wrote ...
Several buses left LinnMar Elementary School Marion the morning of May 16th, 1968 with the 6th grade class for a feild trip to NE Iowa, Effigy Mounds, etc, Around noon, we knew this was unlike any other apring day as we drove into Oelwein for a stop...little did we know, we would be some of the last people to see the town as it was then. Hot and dusty. It was awful trying to get home on those wind and rain beaten buses that afternoon...and early eve. I will nver forget it. FarawayInFla.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 5:29 PM Whistleblower wrote ...
Please David, show me the imperical scientific evidence you have that 'man' has caused global warming. I need a good chuckle.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 4:31 PM J. B. wrote ...
I'm sorry, but in the caption of the photo you have 1st Ave. designated incorrectly. It actually runs from the bottom left to near middle on the right. What you have designated is actually East Charles St. Either way, Oelwein was a hell of a mess that day.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 3:18 PM Diane S. wrote ...
On May 15, 1968 at 10 minutes to 5 the tornado hit. I was a 6th grader at McKinley Elementary in Charles City, IA. On May 15, 1998 I was driving home from work to Washington, IA and met that tornado on County Road G36. I'm so thankful for God's mercy and grace.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 3:02 PM David wrote ...
And....... how did Al Gore invent Global Warming? That was an extremely biased comment. The world's best and brightest scientists are the ones who confirmed Global Warming. The ones who "invented" it are the people who pollute this world. These facts about Global Warming were proven even before Al Gore came into the spotlight about this. Obviously there are still a few in denial about it, but those are the ones who's priorities are such that money is more important than human life.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 2:56 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Just want that couple mentioned in the paper (they had a little girl who was 4 at the time who died in the storm) to know that I pray for you. I'm a mother of one and she's 2. I honestly don't know how I'd go on if she died, period. My thing is, I'm supposed to go before her, you know? So prayers to them, reading that article almost made me cry. Prayers to everyone involved, actually:0) I've never seen a tornado or been involved with one, and I pray I never do, or am.
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 2:53 PM me wrote ...
Good comment Steve! Al Gore... He "invented" the internet and now Global Warming. Good job buddy...
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 12:16 PM Court wrote ...
this was a terriable day for all of the people of Oelwein...Mr. Allen always told us stories...but we're back!!
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 9:53 AM Steve wrote ...
I didn't think we had monster storms before Al Gore invented Global Warming...
Flag for moderationThursday, May 15 at 9:34 AM Jerry wrote ...
I was five years old and living in Oelwein. It really is the first thing I remember in my life. I recall sitting in the basement with my head covered listening to glass breaking. It felt like a very long time. Outside I saw how devastating Tornado's can be. I am 45 now and I still watch for storms develope and just pray I don't have to see another one that does this much damage. I was told the only warning at that time was the Fire engine came out from the fire station and blew its whistle
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