Last Monday marked the anniversary of one the deadliest tornadoes in Texas history – the 1970 Lubbock tornado.
During the evening hours of May 11, 1970, an extremely violent multiplevortex tornado struck a large portion of the city of Lubbock, resulting in 26 fatalities, 1,500 injuries, homes destroyed and an estimated $250 million in damage.
The same evening, tornadoes were also occurring in Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Ohio. In the few moments between 9:35 p.m. and the time the funnel lifted into the clouds, the tornado devastated the city along an 81½-mile path which included a track that was 2 miles wide in downtown Lubbock to onefourth mile wide as it passed over the Lubbock Airport.
Lubbock was declared a federal disaster area by President Richard Nixon. In the aftermath, Lubbock Red Cross and Salvation Army workers opened the Municipal Coliseum to shelter citizens and be a central supply distribution area. Reese Air Force Base and Lubbock citizens gathered supplies to provide to those impacted by the damage.
The plains area of America is the principal battleground and major concern for the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS Lubbock covers a 24-county forecast area across the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and the far southern Texas Panhandle. This area focuses on regional forecasting, severe weather, thunderstorm and tornado warnings, and flash flood warnings.
Peak season is considered to be May and early June, but they can occur the year round. The two most active states for tornadoes are Texas, with 155, and Kansas, with 96, in an average year.
NWS Lubbock operates five transmitter sites to cover this area, located in Lubbock (162.400 MHz), Plainview (162.500 MHz), Summerfield (162.525 MHz), Childress (162.450 MHz), and Dickens (162.500 MHz).
It is important for all citizens to know the difference in NWS weather alerts to distinguish what action they should take during severe weather: -A Tornado Watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center for large areas and means conditions are favorable for tornadoes (be prepared).
-A Tornado Warning is issued by local NWS offices for a smaller area (city/ county) when a tornado is imminent or occurring to warn people to move immediately to an interior windowless room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
-A Tornado Emergency is issued in rare, extreme cases for a large, violent tornado in a heavily populated area with confirmed severe threats to human life and damage.
Tornadoes can destroy well-made structures, uproot trees, and hurl objects through the air like deadly missiles. During a tornado, it is critical to seek shelter immediately in the safest place available. The best option is a basement or storm cellar.
If those are not available, it is advised to go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the home, such as a bathroom or closet, and stay away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, get under something sturdy like a heavy table and protect the head and neck. Continue to monitor weather updates until the danger has passed.
Being in a car during a tornado is extremely dangerous; if a tornado is nearby, immediately seek shelter in a sturdy building. If unable to reach shelter, park safely, keep the seatbelt on, duck below window level, and cover the head. Do not park under bridges or overpasses.
Before a severe weather event or tornado occurs, it is important to plan and identify a safe shelter location, create a family emergency plan, prepare a tornado emergency kit and practice with children.
When bad weather is moving into the area, citizens should monitor weather alerts and stay informed during a storm.
After a tornado, check for injuries and hazards carefully and treat all downed wires as live and staying at least 30 feet away. Smell for gas and look for structural damage, using flashlights rather than candles to avoid explosions. If leaks or damaged electrical systems are found, shut off main valves/breakers, and call 91-1 or the local utility company immediately to report downed lines.