Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil visits Chandler on the anniversary of a major tornado that devastated the town and surrounding area. Steil details the recovery efforts in past year and remembrance on what was lost.
On June 16, 1992, a devastating tornado ravaged portions of southwest Minnesota. Commonly referred as the Chandler-Lake Wilson tornado, it caused over $50 million in property damage, resulting in more than 40 injuries and one fatality. The National Weather Service estimated this F5 tornado packed winds in excess of 260 mph. It was the only F5 tornado to occur in the United States in 1992. Storm was one of 27 tornadoes in a statewide outbreak that day.
Transcripts
text | pdf |
[MUSIC PLAYING] MARK STEIL: There were songs and prayers and stories and jokes as the communities observed the first anniversary of one of the most powerful tornadoes ever to strike Minnesota. There had been predictions that many residents would not come to the Chandler Gym for the anniversary because their memories of the tornado were too painful. But the gym was full, and Chandler Mayor Ed [? Stool ?] urged them to share their feelings.
[? ED STOOL: ?] As we look back over the years, in some ways, it's been a long, hard year. And in other ways, it seems like it only happened yesterday. Much work has been done. There's still much to be done. There have been emotional highs and lows for everyone here. The spring makes us ask when's this burden going to be over.
MARK STEIL: Although there are still a few emergency house trailers provided by the federal government parked in Lake Wilson and Chandler, most residents who lost homes have built new ones. In Chandler, the hardest-hit community, two dozen new houses have been finished. The upper section of the town's grain elevator was sheared off by the tornado. It's been rebuilt, the shiny new sides contrasting with the weathered gray steel of the lower portion. The top feet of Chandler's famous water tower was damaged in the storm. It rests on the ground now next to the rebuilt tower. Both carry the printed slogan which helped lift the town's spirits after the twister, "Chandler, in God we Trust."
More than 1,000 trees have been planted in the two towns, many by volunteers. In Chandler, one special tree will be planted to honor the only person killed by the tornado.
[? ED STOOL: ?] Tonight, we are going to honor and remember Bertha Youngsma with this tree that is up here, a mountain ash oak leaf tree that will be planted in the park here in Chandler.
MARK STEIL: The Reverend Bob [? Moritz-- ?] National Weather Service officials studying the tornado which struck Chandler and Lake Wilson estimate it had wind speeds over 260 miles an hour. Debris was found up to 35 miles away. The twister was on the ground for about 23 miles and cut an arc of destruction a half mile wide through Nobles and Murray counties. When it first touched ground, the tornado was traveling in a northeasterly direction. But then it gradually made a left-hand turn. So by the time it lifted, it was headed northwest. Chandler Mayor Ed [? Stool ?] remembers the twister left a tangle of debris and emotions.
[? ED STOOL: ?] Looking back at the days that followed the tornado, I can remember the first few days, people coming up to the Salvation food booth there, hugging, crying. And only minutes later, they'd be laughing about different things that had happened to them. One person was heard to say, yeah, all my pictures are gone. But she says, on the other hand, at least there'll never be an incriminating picture of me in the paper saying, "lordy, lordy, look who's 40."
MARK STEIL: The tornado caused an estimated $50 million in property damage and countless emotional scars. City officials say many people, especially children, are still receiving counseling. As the crowd left the Chandler gym after the observance, the talk turned again to stormy weather. A severe thunderstorm and flash flood watch had been issued for the area. Many paused on the sidewalk to watch a dark cloud to the west and north of town. This storm, though, would not damage Chandler. It dropped its flood-producing rains further north, around Marshall and Redwood falls. This is Mark Steil, Mainstreet Radio.