Most tornadoes roar across an area at 40 or 50 miles and hour. This storm just sat on the community, spinning off seven major tornadoes and hundreds of mini-tornadoes. Tornadoes are supposed to spin counterclockwise and make left turns but two made right turns and a third actually made a U-turn. The tornadoes first assaulted northwest Grand Island, then to an area east of the VA Medical Center. The worst damage took place later in the storm along South Locust.
Today there are few reminders that such a horrible storm ever took place in Grand Island.
Long-time residents talk about the beautiful trees that are gone and a handful of vacant lots and buildings remain along South Locust. The man-made hill at Ryder Park is where much of the tornado debris was piled and buried and is the only monument to the storm. The community managed such a complete recovery that newcomers and visitors cannot believe the event ever took place. But those who went through the horror and recovery will never forget what it took to survive the night and rebuild the community. All rights reserved.