Tempest Tours Road Reads
Suggested reading for our guests. Below are some articles and books you may find interesting while heading to your next storm target.
Staff Articles
Articles and chase summaries written by the Tempest Tours staff can be read on our blog. The staff summaries offer insight into how we track storms.
Famous Tornado Alley Events
April 9, 1947 Woodward, OK tornado – “Oklahoma’s Deadliest Tornado” by Mike Coppock
https://www.historynet.com/oklahomas-deadliest-tornado/
This was the “perfect storm” meaning everything went wrong for Woodward. Normally, a tornado moving up US Highway 60 toward Woodward would be reported by residents of towns along that route. However, on this day those towns were struck by the tornado prior which eliminated a warning for Woodward.
April 12, 1945 Antlers, OK tornado
https://coryellroofing.com/the-antlers-oklahoma-tornado-of-1945/
This event would have made national news, but it was overshadowed by President Roosevelt’s death.
May 11, 1953 Waco, Texas tornado
https://www.weather.gov/fwd/wacotormay1953
NWS created this interesting article about the Waco tornado. By far the best story written is the one that appears in the book “Texas Demon in the Wind” by Dudley Lynch. Lynch interviewed Waco residents to piece together what happened. In one scene, a car is lifted into the air and the passengers look out and see a man floating next to them. He is straining to hold his hat on.
April 10, 1979 Wichita Falls “Terrible Tuesday” tornado by Jen Narramore
https://www.tornadotalk.com/the-wichita-falls-f4-terrible-tuesday-tornado/
An epic Tornado Alley event. There were many other tornadoes that day which are covered in this NWS summary https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19790410
Books
“Tornado: Texas Demon in the Wind” by Dudley Lynch. The tornado book written from the perspective of witnesses. Considered a rare book but can sometimes still be found in libraries.
“Texas Weather” by George Bomar.
https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Weather-George-W-Bomar/dp/0292708114
“Tornado Talk” by Tim Marshall
A book dedicated to the language of storm chasers. You’ll need to contact Tim directly to purchase.
Jim Reed’s “Storm Chaser” book.
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Chaser-Photographers-Jim-Reed/dp/0810921472
“The Ultimate Severe Weather Safety Guide” by Martin Lisius
Available for iPhone, iPad and Mac via the orange “Books” icon on your Apple device.
“Fierce Beauty Storms: of the Great Plains” by Eric Meola.