Survivors recall the terror of the first F5 tornado
It’s been 51 years since an F5 tornado the most powerful category of twisters last struck a major U.S. city. Lubbock, Texas, still bears the scars.
Two tornadoes struck Lubbock, Texas, on May 11, 1970. The second a monster F5 twister destroyed thousands of homes, devastated the city’s central business district, and killed 26 people.Photograph via Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, USA Today
ByBill Newcott
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The perpetual high plains wind had suddenly fallen dead still, leaving the evening air hot and heavy over Lubbock, Texas. Impossibly dark clouds hung low in the sky.