Favorite Vintage Tornado Video?

[Jeff Richardson]

Thanks for finding that old safety film, Jeff. Never thought I would see that one again since I last saw it in elementary school back in the 1960's (along with probably every other third grader in USD 259 in Wichita)!

Wow - thirty minutes lead time was pretty impressive, especially since the radar scope wasn't trained on the storm until after it was spotted!

For some reason, I thought it was based on an actual event in Cherryvale, Kansas - don't know how I ever got that linked up in my head. Obviously, "Elmville" was a fictitous place!

Oh, the days of opening the windows and running to the southwest corner of the basement. It was practically a religion back then.

You're welcome, Mike! Glad to hear that brought back some memories! There's actually a slightly longer version available on Tornado Video Classics (Volume One I believe) from The Tornado Project. The film I watched as a kid was the color safety film made in 1967. I believe it was inspired by the Topeka tornado of June 8, 1966.

Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN00Fum-epY

Part Two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSvzqd6ABrE&feature=related

At least they deleted the "safety" rule about hiding in the southwest part of a house or basement! I still remember a meteorologist being interviewed in the mid 1970's advocating opening windows on the northeast side of a house. Guess some old habits and superstitions die hard.

Another favorite vintage film of mine is the Warner Robbins, GA tornado. Talk about waiting to the last minute...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qd5J86bX2Y&feature=PlayList&p=7EB609D05368998A&index=6

 

[Bret Hendrickson]

I've always loved the footage of the Great Bend tornado on August 30, 1974.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOUZzzvCEgU

 

[Earl Faubion]

May 24, 1973, Union City, OK. Watching this one from start to finish was enough to convince me to never again be without film for my camera!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K14dD--UXQ