April 1979 tornado special

[KenMcWatters]

On this 29th anniversary of Terrible Tuesday, I thought I'd forward a link to a Youtube video I posted of a TV special shown in Dallas/Ft. Worth in April 1979 just days after the event. It was produced on Channel 5 KXAS and features well-known TV meteorologist Harold Taft discussing the Wichita Falls tornado. Although not much new footage is shown, it is interesting to see the reaction to the tornado when it was current news.. such as discussion of Ted Fujita being on the scene making his tornado damage assessment. After they talk about the tornado, Harold then introduces a tornado discussion and safety video, which was produced by a young Alan Moller (!). It should be a treat for the Al Moller fans out there, as I don't know how widely it has been seen. I have seen video excerpts from it in various programs since then, however.

Our family recorded this special on our brand new VCR back then, and I just recently converted the old tape to DVD. Over the years unfortunately part of the special was recorded over, so we miss about 5 minutes toward the end. Just before the program is interrupted, a segment on Night Spotting begins. As I recall, it simply shows a video of power flashes as a way to spot tornadoes at night. Shortly after this discussion returns to Harold Taft, and just before the program returns to the recorded video you see, he is discussing a viewer question about tornado safety. The viewer asks if it would be a good idea to hide near or even inside your chimney during a tornado. But Harold responds in his typical dry manner that it wouldn't be safe because the bricks might fall in on your head.

Here is the program link - enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kliexfdMqw

 

[David Douglas]

I remember that day. In Fort Worth it was hazy and hot. I friend if mine had a cassette recording of the Wichita Falls 2 meter skywarn net that I listened to one time. It was very spooky. I wonder what happened to that recording.

I grew up in Fort Worth. Harold Taft is was my hero. I actually have one of his hand drawn maps (black, red and green marker on a green Texas with a blue Gulf of Mexico) and it is one of my cherished possessions. I started chasing (well, back then it was spotting) in 1982 with Fort Worth skywarn and I was for a time stationed at the KXAS studios with a 2 meter radio. The other cool thing was going to the skywarn training classes in the Fort Worth city council chambers being instructed by none other than Al Moller. Harold Taft would also show up from time to time. It was a sad day in my life when Harold Taft passed away.

-David Douglas

 

[Bob Schafer]

Awesome, Ken! Thanks for posting and sharing!

 

[KenMcWatters]

I remember that day. In Fort Worth it was hazy and hot. I friend if mine had a cassette recording of the Wichita Falls 2 meter skywarn net that I listened to one time. It was very spooky. I wonder what happened to that recording.

That recording of Skywarn in Wichita Falls on 4/10/79 is located on the NWS Norman page on the Red River Outbreak - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19790410/media.php
And yes it is spooky, especially when the repeater stops working when the power goes out throughout Wichita Falls.

 

[Shane Adams]

Ah yes, April 10, 1979. The day that started it all for me.

 

[Aaron Moody]

So many anniversary's of tornado related tragedies in April. I was not yet born, but this is pretty spooky. Thanks for posting this.

 

[David Douglas]

Ken - thanks! That's the recording. I had no idea it still existed.

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

Ah yes, April 10, 1979. The day that started it all for me.

Duly echoed. Although I was too young to have memories, the effects still remain to this day. Almost inarguably the worst tornado from that time until Moore.

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

That recording of Skywarn in Wichita Falls on 4/10/79 is located on the NWS Norman page on the Red River Outbreak - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19790410/media.php
And yes it is spooky, especially when the repeater stops working when the power goes out throughout Wichita Falls.

Not to be too emotional, but that audio clip was surprisingly difficult to listen to, and brought back a lot of memories of my grandmother, who lived with us in Wichita Falls and whose house was in the devastated Faith Village area ... although I was too young to remember at the time, listening to this still proves I'm feeling the effects all the way to today.

I listened to it a second time and still spent the clip time from 50 minutes 'till the end with sweat pooling on my forehead and quickened breath.