This was a little before my storm chasing passion began, but it helped me determine what subject I would eventually major in a couple of years later at UNL. I experienced my first tornado when I was 5 years old in Minden, NE, on my grand parents farm (it took a direct hit), so I always loved severe weather from childhood. During the summer of 1980 I was fresh out of high school and working a good summer job trying to save money for college. I worked for a company that was located on a farm near Cozad, NE. They were in the business of selling grain tanks, machine sheds, quonsets, the type of structures you would expect to find on a farm if that makes sense.
Anyhow, I was charged with driving from Cozad to Columbus in a 1-ton dually pickup with a very long flat bed trailer on the morning of June 4, 1980, to pick up building parts at the Behlen factory in Columbus and bring them back. Once I hit the road I fired up the radio and quickly learned that several tornadoes had ripped through Grand Island the night before and I was excited to say the least, because my driving route would be on Highway 30 straight through Grand Island. On the western outskirts of Grand Island there was a National Guardsman heading off traffic, so I only saw the damage from a distance such as the VA Hospital. On the way back from Columbus there wasn't anyone on the east side of town directing traffic, so I headed straight for the area that was hit the hardest around Locust street. Keep in mind this is based only on my memories of that day, but I'm sure guys like Tim Marshall can share their experiences as I believe I remember him doing one of his first damage assessments for this event.
My most vivid memory was driving by this house that was right on Locust street and there was this man standing on his front steps looking like he was in shock and totally dejected (even that's an understatement). It was no wonder because that was all that was left of his home - the front steps. The home was swept clean off of the foundation and there was nothing left. I'll never forget that mental picture for the rest of my life. I spent some time driving around the Locust street area where the F4 hit and was simply blown away at the extent of the damage. Sheer and utter devastation period. I'll be anxiously awaiting the experiences of others who went through this event or have memories to share in connection with June 3, 1980.
Anyhow, I was charged with driving from Cozad to Columbus in a 1-ton dually pickup with a very long flat bed trailer on the morning of June 4, 1980, to pick up building parts at the Behlen factory in Columbus and bring them back. Once I hit the road I fired up the radio and quickly learned that several tornadoes had ripped through Grand Island the night before and I was excited to say the least, because my driving route would be on Highway 30 straight through Grand Island. On the western outskirts of Grand Island there was a National Guardsman heading off traffic, so I only saw the damage from a distance such as the VA Hospital. On the way back from Columbus there wasn't anyone on the east side of town directing traffic, so I headed straight for the area that was hit the hardest around Locust street. Keep in mind this is based only on my memories of that day, but I'm sure guys like Tim Marshall can share their experiences as I believe I remember him doing one of his first damage assessments for this event.
My most vivid memory was driving by this house that was right on Locust street and there was this man standing on his front steps looking like he was in shock and totally dejected (even that's an understatement). It was no wonder because that was all that was left of his home - the front steps. The home was swept clean off of the foundation and there was nothing left. I'll never forget that mental picture for the rest of my life. I spent some time driving around the Locust street area where the F4 hit and was simply blown away at the extent of the damage. Sheer and utter devastation period. I'll be anxiously awaiting the experiences of others who went through this event or have memories to share in connection with June 3, 1980.
), I was living in Crete NE at the time. I noticed there were storm and tornado warnings issued for Grand Island on TV and such.
