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Featured Listener Comments Section: Contents List |
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Listener: Bill Curnow
Category: General
Date: 11 May 2010
Time: 11:59:35 -0700
Remote Name: 64.216.33.206
As you all know today is a significant day in Lubbock.
40 years ago this evening, two tornadoes touched down in Lubbock, one an F5,
forever changing life in Lubbock. 26 lives lost, more than 500 injured, and
countless more left homeless. On May 12th Lubbock did what it's always done:
gathered together, picked up the pieces, and carried on. The Red Cross was
there, as was the Salvation Army and hundreds, if not thousands, of other relief
workers. Out of the rubble grew new facilities, institutes, non-profits and a
safer way of life as the Nation adopted new building techniques derived from the
lessons learned here.
While the May 11th tornadoes were the most deadly and destructive we've
experienced, they certainly weren't the first, nor will they be the last. Since
1950 the 15 counties served by the South Plains Regional Chapter have
experienced nearly 700 tornadoes that have taken 39 lives and injured more than
700 people. Hale County has been hit the worst (127 tornadoes), followed by Lamb
(92) and Lubbock (91) Counties. Fortunately we've only experienced a handful of
F4 (5) and F3 (16) tornadoes, but with so much country between communities
that's to be expected. Still, anyone who's grown up here knows it's a matter of
when, not if, the next tornado will hit a populated area.
So, as we stop today to honor those lost and those who survived 40 years ago, I
hope you will take a moment to say "Thank You". Thank a first responder, a
volunteer, a lineman, a laborer, a co-worker and a neighbor. They were there for
us 40 years ago, and they will continue to be there for us for years to come.
Bill Curnow
Senior Disaster Volunteer
American Red Cross
South Plains Regional Chapter
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