The Lubbock 1970 F5 Tornado Documentary

On May 11, 1970, a devastating tornado struck downtown Lubbock, TX late in the evening. This video looks back on this tragedy and shows how this event led to the advancement of wind engineering studies, including the development of Dr. Fujita's Tornado Damage Scale (F-scale).

[@MarkMcCall51]

I'm a local amateur historian and survivor of the storm. I was RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of that tornado running for cover. I experienced the entire thing, first hand, close up, as well as the aftermath, clean up and rebuilding of the city. There's a few anomalies regarding the video. Although classified as an F5 tornado now, the Fujita scale wasn't introduced until a year after this storm. Matter of fact, the Lubbock Tornado played a significant part in the development of the Fujita Scale at the University of Chicago in 1971. The storm was classified as an F5 tornado after the fact and an EF5 in 2007. 26 people were killed, not the 28 reported in the video. We lived in the neighborhood where the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center is now. (The "Memorial" part of the name was in memorandum to the 26 people who died in the storm). Our home sat in the path of the storm and was destroyed. Ave. M between 7th and 8th streets. The footprint of the tornado runs right through our property. You can see our home in the video at the 3:48 mark, center top of the screen. Directly to the left of the four trees. My siblings and me were playing on the sidewalk as the storm clouds rolled in. We were in bed by 9pm. When the storm hit, Mom got us out of bed to run for the shelter across the street to the north. We ran across the street to my Grandmother's boarding house (center top of the screen, two tall buildings) where the Buddy Holly Hall is now. My step-dad threw us over the fence, one by one to scramble into the storm cellar in Grandma's back yard. When we emerged from the storm shelter the next morning, I remember walking the streets of the northern downtown area, not yet aware that most of the casualties were just a few blocks to the northeast. At the time, we didn't know ANYWONE had died. We learned little tidbits of info from the radio. I remember the smell of burnt fireworks everywhere. There was a helicopter upside down in the middle of the street on Ave. K or L, close to the Avalanche Journal. By nightfall, military trucks and troops were everywhere. We had an Air Force base at the time, so many troops came from there to help. After the storm, insurance money rebuilt our house but the city used the Imminent Domain law to secure our home, tear down the entire neighborhood and build the Civic Center. For a few years, construction and rebuilding took place all over the downtown area. Government disaster funds built: Civic Center, new DPS building (which has since been torn town to make room for the new Buddy Holly Performing Arts Center), Mahon Library and new airport. The old terminal is now the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock. If you have any questions about the storm, I'd be glad to share what I know. btw...narrator is not CG. He's real. His name is Loren Phillips, Instructor, Atmospheric Science Group Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University

[@kayper54]

VERY interesting account. Have you added it to the Lubbock tornado website? They have a whole section dedicated to peoples' personal experiences during the storm. Yours definitely belongs there! But I'm very sorry your family lost your home a second time to the Civic Center.

[@FastNCurious88]

MarkMcCall51 absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing. So glad to hear that you and your loved ones were okay ❤️ Rest easy to the victims and their families. Ps: I’m still almost certain that the narrator is Hank Hill 😁😂❤️

[@GypsyJackie2]

I wasn’t born yet but I’ve heard my family talk about it my whole life my grandfather Tom was a local barber and. Y grandmother worked at a nursing home

[@j.l.lovelady-richardson1863]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@j.l.lovelady-richardson1863]

Would this have been a "mega" tornado since it had multiple vortexes?? Do all F5's have multiple vortexes? What's the most vortexes a tornado has ever had?

[@albertogarcia716]

I was 4 years old, and I remember my Dad putting us in the car to leave the Northeast side of Lubbock when this happened. He drove around trying to avoid the path of the tornado. I know this is not a safe thing to do, however, we didn't have a storm shelter, so he did what he thought best. He managed to keep us safe. We all survived. 8 in the family, including Mom and Dad, and we are all still here. Jan 7, 2019, and we are all still here, and Mom and Dad are still together. Good old Dad, our hero then, and our hero now. I am so sorry about all those who lost their lives.

[@hibern81]

What a wild night. Your dad is a hero for sure!

[@cg-ny9078]

Good thing your Hero dad drove to avoid it. Was your house hit?

[@danielramos8123]

did Hank Hill narrate this?

[@twohawk1203]

Not enough drawl.

[@FastNCurious88]

Daniel Ramos lmfaooo

[@GypsyJackie2]

Ha ha your so funny bless your heart ❤️

[@jb7299]

Zoidberg

[@metpach]

Damn it Bobby!

[@mattbaker5508]

I can tell you that a human definitely narrated this documentary. He worked for the NWS and later as an instructor at Texas Tech in their atmostpheric sciences group (I think he's still there). He's just using a very measured "narrator" voice here.

[@rustyalcorta3643]

For many years I lived in Lubbock on First Street in the falls then in Shallowater. I was in south Texas when it hit. I was 19 and when I heard the news on the radio I ran to tell my folks and then....I sat down alone and cried...

[@scottt3100]

God bless you Rusty.

[@staceynorman2992]

I was 22 months old when the tornado hit. It is my first memory. We lived in a trailer park in Acuff (east 4th street). After the storm had passed and my family emerged from the storm shelter in the trailer park, there was damage to our roof and all the windows had shattered. We were extremely blessed to have survived and had no more damage to our home than the roof and windows.

[@patsyswann8530]

I was standing outside talking to my sis in law in Andrews and we watched a small black cloud rush across the sky from the south to north headed toward Lubbock. Later we realized that black cloud likely went there and joined whatever other clouds to form that monstrous tornado. We went to see about family a few days later were amazed at the terrible mile wide damage. It was as if it would drop to the ground hit a house and jump 3-4 houses down to hit another. We had injured family but not seriously. It was awful!

[@BCHonea]

My mom was a victim of this tornado. She is still scarred to this day and terrified of tornadoes. Her dad, my grandfather, was one of the first storm chasers back in the 30’s-60’s in Stamford Tx.

[@johnrexsmith6424]

My mom Connie took it all in stride, Connie Smith Pimlott, daughter of retired United States Air Force general John pimlott

[@muffs55mercury61]

I don't remember the 1970 tornado as I lived in Arizona at the time and never saw a documentary until now. Thanks for posting.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@rdee-regervin Arizona got overpopulated so I left.

[@AeraSteele98]

I didn't know Hank Hill was a weather fanatic.

[@muckrak3r]

Aera Steele wrekt!

[@FastNCurious88]

Aera Steele 😁❤️❤️❤️

[@sheeeitmayn4384]

Suddenly having a slight southern accent makes you sound like Hank Hill 😑

[@jerrypevehouse456]

Was 12 that night, spending it with my grandmother 60 miles east of Lubbock. Listening to the radio giving updates on the tornado. I asked granny why God would allow this to happen? She replied "Baby, sometimes the old Devil just gets loose". Never forget that night.

[@spookybass1966]

A computer voice with a Southern accent?

[@albertogarcia716]

Our house was the only one left on our block. Damaged, but still intact.

[@CodySkidmorenh]

I survived that tornado. We lived in North Lubbock right in its path. I'll never forget what it was like.

[@piperp9535]

We lived outside town, went to school in Shallowater, this video says a tornado, but it was three tornadoes.

[@karawigley6231]

In Lubbock you can wake up & have all 4 weather seasons in a day. It takes a lot to shock us when it comes to weather, but hearing about this as a kid it always scared me, & even more so now when I think about how long ago this was & if we are somehow long overdue for a storm & weather like this to produce a tornado like then?

[@TexHoss1]

My hometown,I remember that day like it was yesterday.

[@suzygarcia4300]

I was 5 years old when this tornado hit. Remember this day very well.

[@TheEmpressMouse]

Watching this video reminds me of my time at Texas Tech in Lubbock. Good times.

[@dysfunctional_vet]

did you find lubbock to be the roach motel that i know?

[@scottt3100]

@@dysfunctional_vet I use to go out there in my Peterbilt hauling frac sand. What I remember most was the prairie dogs and they had an owl guarding their nests. Semper Fi Brother!

[@dysfunctional_vet]

@@scottt3100 i had forgotten about those little birds. i did see a hawk snatch a prairie dog up into the sky at 100 miles an hour once. i love watching nature. navy - army (i know, but they only wanted a few good men, not all of them)

[@erinnerungen8823]

@@dysfunctional_vet Been here a year and a half so far, and I'm loving it!

[@nickinportland]

Lol “exceptional air quality”? Lived there for 5 years the air is at least 25 percent dirt. Still love you anyways hub city

[@peachxtaehyung]

Maybe it had excellent air quality but when this happened or maybe now? Or maybe just compared to the rest of Texas?

[@SammyBoy806]

Haha out of all my 26 years of existence you never know what weather Lubbock’s gonna throw at you haha but it will always feel like home

[@TexasNorthDFW]

@@peachxtaehyung I can definitely tell you the air quality now is still about 80% dust.

[@85Niner]

@@peachxtaehyung A

[@scottt3100]

It does have very good air quality. As a person with severe hay fever allergies to pollen and mold, dust is not the problem. I've made many trips to Lubbock hauling frac sand and I love the air there because I can breath without sneezing and coughing.

[@mattbaker5508]

Nope! I know the guy who narrates this. He worked for the NWS in Lubbock for many years and is currently an instructor at Texas Tech in the atmospheric sciences group.

[@dysfunctional_vet]

i lived in the city for 30 years, tornado's in the area were a common deal, but not a safe thing

[@greatestever184]

Did-did that computer voice just say "tornaduh?"

[@jayehoape3075]

Greatest Ever hank hill

[@kainhall]

its not a computer.... its Loren Phillips, Instructor, Atmospheric Science Group Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University

[@scottt3100]

Yup

[@itsnotthesamething]

I have to explain the difference between a watch and warning, all the time! Some people think a watch means they are watching a tornado...lol

[@paranormalpabs3745]

Them people must be real dumb lol considering watches can be issued when the skies are still blue and sunny 😂😂😂

[@keithwilson6060]

A lot of people still call them “tornado alerts.”

[@4CardsMan]

When I went back to work that week, I had a customer whose (Xerox) machine was completely gone. Every window in the Pioneer Natural Gas building was blown out. The frame of the Great Plains Life building was bent.

[@jimmythesaint2286]

thought they initially said the 'great plains' bldg would be torn down but changed their minds.. is this right?

[@johnrexsmith6424]

That building is still standing right next to the new First Friday Art trail

[@SkyWardDude]

The narrator sounds like Mr. Tudball from the Carol Burnett show skits.

[@albertogarcia716]

HaHaHaHaHAHAHAHA! Who in New York City sent this narrator to Lubbock? The sounds of my knees popping when I sit on the toilet have more personality than this Robbie The Robot Impersonator!

[@justogarcia175]

🤣 ... I was thinking the exact same thing before I came across your reply.

[@scottt3100]

@@justogarcia175 Someone said he sounded like Hank Hill. I had to laugh and agree on that one. Then these Robbie the Robot and Carol Burnett analogies...man, those of us who get that, we are getting old huh? Lol

[@justogarcia175]

@@scottt3100 Old? More like ancient. 🤣

[@shawnnewcomer4879]

Very good👏 My thought was the owner of this voice is a Lubbock😂

[@eddiesexton1090]

I used to live on the Reese Air Force Base back in 1968 to february of 1969 yes them were the days

[@eddiesexton1090]

I remember on the radio they used to sing REMEMBER THE ALAMO as a commercial

[@firemedic5100]

This tornado sparked my desire to chase tornadoes in that area for years. I was there the day after, helping survivors and injured with an ambulance with my dad. I will never forget a church that was totally blown away except for the north wall with the cross. Where the podium would have been was a small table with a large bible, opened to the 23rd psalm. Not one page was torn. I had to chase anything that could do something like that. I was hooked.

[@TheForlornEidolon777]

That's why I'm glad I'm from South Texas. 33 years old, and I've only lived through one small tornado, which was in 2002. 1 person died though.

[@ericleecoronado504]

You know South Texas sees more hurricanes though when they hit the Gulf of Mexico?

[@mikeburke6828]

Mam, I'm getting Goosebumps ! I haven't even seen the tornado yet 🙃 😐 😕 😩 😫.

[@jimmythesaint2286]

those thundering rolling cumulus clouds @ 6:30 were awesome... use to watch'em build up like that while playing baseball near lubbock

[@destiny9705]

From small town by lubbock...watching this after the storms and tornado warnings we got today and yesterday ✌

[@1990chelle]

My mom and her family lost everything in this tornado...the roof was ripped off their house but my mom had a 5 dollar bill on her night stand...untouched.....creepy

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

Classic multi vortex behavior

[@dantheman9591]

This tornado along with the Waco tornado from 1953 are perfect examples of what could happen to Oklahoma City and Dallas if they got a direct hit from a F5 tornado

[@christinevickers8040]

we also lived in Lubbock at the time.

[@hawkdaddy64]

Wait, they said back in 1970 that it was three tornado's that formed into the F5 that hit Lubbock.

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

Classic case of multiple weak tornadoes merging into a violent one

[@Frapucheno]

Not even 3 weak ones Small skinny tornados have actually proven to have F5 strength as well

[@christinevickers8040]

My daughters 3, 4 and 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Sharon Gifford also lived in Lubbock at the time. She lived by 50th and Slide Rd.

[@ambermedellin6832]

You were lucky, people.

[@razrramonel4077]

There were more than 147 tornadoes that hit the Mississippi River Valley, the Ohio River Valley, and the Great Lakes region and in Canada back in 1974 on April 3rd.

[@hahahaha2515]

Anyone know the background music used in the beginning? It's beautiful.

[@doug9066]

March 2 years ago I think it was I saw rotation in my neighborhood 54th & Salem when we had a Tornado watch and warning which took pictures of the clouds. I was outside watching the clouds and living on the 2nd floor apartment I have nowhere to go. But luckily nothing happened but wss close and could hear tornado sirens in the distance as well.

[@xomichaelanthonygarciaxo]

My parents lived during this 1970 tornado

[@williamduckworth305]

Wow I used to deliver to the Budweiser warehouse on the loop I am from Ga. But if I was to ever move to texas it would either be lubbock or Waco...which got nailed by a big tornado too....

[@keithwilson6060]

1:01 - “Frenship?” LOL.

[@staceynorman2992]

Yes. They wanted to call the school Friendship, because it was the merging of three other schools but the Friendship name was already taken in Houston so the dropped the d and got Frenship.

[@crummeyyy1]

Just another good reason to prepare...While stationed at Reese AFB in the 70's my future wife and I experienced this F5 Tornado. Missed us by 1/2 mile. God was with us that day.

[@ShelliAndersonArt]

FenceWalker My dad was stationed at Reese as well. Jim Parker.

[@flguy6807]

@@ShelliAndersonArt We lived on Arnold Dr at Reese in 1970.

[@ShelliAndersonArt]

@@flguy6807 We lived off base in Carlisle!

[@flguy6807]

@@ShelliAndersonArt I remember the Skating Rink in Carlisle!

[@ShelliAndersonArt]

@@flguy6807 We used to go there every weekend! We had the BEST time…anytime between 1962-65

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

Yikes that radar signature is a cluttered mess!

[@AarronWeets]

Is the narrator the original voice of "radio Tom" that we heard during the 90's emergency broadcast radio? Sounds exactly like the voice

[@axelsoncarla]

“The night of the tornadA”

[@GevoGenesis92]

Tornaduh

[@mark_wangerin]

Oh my goodness! That narrator!!!

[@larrydondobbins-dr6xk]

I was 9 years old,when the tornado hit Lubbock, Texas.

[@daivyanedozie6076]

My Aunt lives in Lubbock tornado ally she survived in it

[@johnswan9123]

Stock footage and photos; any of the real event?

[@Jasmin-ux5ho]

Wait what...exceptional air quality?? Lubbock??? IT'S SO DUSTY !!!

[@VernalJPReal]

Nuh uh I live in Lubbock

[@ChristinaMiller-ff4vj]

I WAS BOT YET BORN WHEN THE LUBBOCK TEXAS TORNADO 🌪️ HAPPENED ON MAY 11, 1970, BUT, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WOULD BE 1 YEAR OLD LATER THAT YEAR.

[@johnrexsmith6424]

My mom got a metal pin in her ankle(Connie Smith/Pimlott) I went to visit the memorial and bought my pokemon tin based on a tornado pokemon

[@deetjay1]

Still got pictures my Dad took of the aftermath, at the gas utility, there

[@garrettnelson4683]

Thanks hank hill, very cool 👍

[@torymontoya5005]

didn't knw tht we had a tornado here in Lubbock , at first my mom was 3 years old wen tht happen on her bday n my dad was 7 years old I just barely saw it on Facebook .

[@Indrid__Cold]

The narrator sounds like the guy from King of the Hill.

[@ambermedellin6832]

If there is a film based on Lubbock and the tornado, someone pick the actors and crewman. It doesn't matter.

[@conspiraciesarejustgreatst2059]

That one store owner said his cash register was picked up and smashed on the floor but a plastic bucket of screw drivers sitting next to the cash register didn't move ...I wonder who went into his store after the storm and tried to find the cash in the register 😀

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

That is cool the tornado executed a turn and went over the original path

[@AyAyRon666]

I have never seen a tornado in my life living in a Lubbock. Lol

[@buckstarr6842]

I had to exit after a few minutes...The narrator drove me nuts!

[@MrJerryHamilton]

I was living on Chicago Ave and was a Mackenzie Raider.

[@tomshiba51]

When I was a kid, the dry line was what we hung damp clothing on.

[@ChristinaMarieAngelicque-vc3nx]

WOW!

[@scottt3100]

Gotta love all the youngsters commenting about Hank Hill and/or computer voicing here. People used to talk with a uniform professional delivery when speaking of matters as important as the subject herein. Kids today don't understand it if it isn't filled with slang and vulgarity or at least some variation of dumbed down street talk.

[@rfamwx]

The narrator undoubtedly sounds comparable to Hank Hill

[@armadillotoe]

I remember lots of stereo equipment being sold out of the back of vans in Amarillo, after this tornado. I assume from people who looted damaged stores. I hate looters.

[@deathtopg8003]

bobandy

[@thisisthenameofmychannelig6037]

Great video except for the voiceover. Kinda ruined it for me. Should've used a real voice actor like Nate Panning. His voice would be great for this.

[@albertogarcia716]

Hell, an Umpa Lumpa would have sounded better.

[@ivana_irlasirlas4272]

why...

[@ivana_irlasirlas4272]

My dad got to close the door but the tornado pull the door us we have to hide under the bunker

[@Abbylew29]

Exceptional air quality? My asthma says otherwise about this dust

[@melissalang2703]

I was not even born at That Time yet I was Born October 16th 1979 so I was born way AFTER 1970 But My Mom and Dad told me all about that Tornado I live near 82nd street

[@ambermedellin6832]

I was not born yet either.

[@majistone6890]

Oh c'mon folks. I was born in Plainview, and was living in Lubbock when the cyclone went through. I was fortunately out of town for a long weekend when it struck. My roommate was in the process of moving out (University Arms, 2nd floor). She was at her new place and her closet doors were wide open at the time. The air pressure literally twisted our building on its foundation and the windows popped inward sending shards of glass across the bedroom, through the open closet doors, causing them to become embedded in the back wall like spears. Yes, the narrator sounds like "Hank Hill", but that's how everyone sounded back then in the Panhandle. It's my home, and surely we can all laugh at ourselves. My husband was aghast when I told him that the comedy series is really, honest to God, what it's like down there. I left Lubbock in 1971 to attend a wedding in Grand Lake, Colorado leaving Lubbock in my rear view mirror with no sense of regret. I never saw a real tornado until years later, after I moved to Denver. Lubbock, home of Buddy Holly, Mac Davis, John Denver (briefly), Joe Ely and many more fine musicians who joined the exodus North.

[@christinevickers8040]

We lived on 44th Street 5 blks n. of Slide road

[@ShelliAndersonArt]

I lived on 27th and Indiana. My grandparents were on 39th. It was terrifying.

[@ambermedellin6832]

@@ShelliAndersonArt 12 streets apart you guys were? No wonder it was scary!

[@visrs4834]

Who is the narrator? I could swear he was a local newsman. Same voice. Oh Heck, it's John Roberts! lol

[@nurlatifahmohdnor8939]

7.9.'79 - she is the 3rd child of 4+1. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. 8.9.'89 - she is the 5th child of 8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Today is 9.9.'22

[@TheAlice5353]

I was in that tornado me and my family

[@ragestorms1942]

I bet he has a really good impression of beavis and butthead

[@larrydondobbins-dr6xk]

I was living in Green fair apartments.

[@chasecook5031]

a week removed from the 50th anniversary

[@georgenicholson5071]

I.was.in.that.tonado.in.1970

[@jmanley82]

My grandma was in the tornado. It hit her house and the glass broke and flew. My grandma is OK .

[@jeffc5974]

Sean, maybe his space bar isn't working?

[@FATTYBONGRIPS]

Why.are.you.typing.like.this

[@scottt3100]

Period

[@TexasNorthDFW]

Air quality?! Lubbock's air is dust. You can chew Lubbock air.

[@christinevickers8040]

This happened on my uncle's birthday, who was lost in Laos in 1967.

[@jimmythesaint2286]

i'm from Levelland... lots of west texas guys fought over there

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Narriator sounds kinda of like hank hill

[@MaximHawaii]

Great documentary! I can't deny I would rather have a human voice narrate, but the photos and data are priceless.

[@JA238979]

Today is not a day in "twenty ten", so the narration or the entire video may need improvement.

[@worseto1]

So, let's face the facts the only safe way to deal with a tornado is underground

[@matthewstorer8236]

There is only one thing more dangerous friend and that is two wild and crazy guys. Look out you American foxes.

[@NicholasLashway]

My grandma survived this, and now says "You couldn't pay me enough to live in Texas" lol

[@kirkgriffin8882]

GamingTvx1 You’re a liar!

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

She made a good choice moving out of tornado alley

[@wesleykillian2218]

Why does this guy sound like hank hill

[@FromSagansStardust]

Narrator sounds like a wild & crazy guy!

[@jrodowens]

holy shit, you deserve more likes

[@debbiegutierrez-garvin7480]

The voice narrator sounds like he's from Ireland.

[@Someyungrebel]

Am I the only one who thinks this guy sounds like butthead from beavis and butthead?

[@wallacerickmanii]

The narrator sounds like if you originally programmed a robot to speak Swedish. Then it became sentient and learned English...and tried to fake a Southern accent.

[@towndraw]

Documentary ok not, surely their is a real one?

[@staceynorman2992]

There not their.

[@ivana_irlasirlas4272]

Why did Mother Nature have to do this

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

Not personal dumbass

[@ivana_irlasirlas4272]

i was 2

[@ivana_irlasirlas4272]

Im 15

[@MassEffectFan113]

lol... was not an F5.

[@scottt3100]

Uhh...hey Einstein...yes it was.

[@danielwalker2381]

do they even know how to spell "friendship" OOF

[@karawigley6231]

It's spelled Frenship. Always has been, it's not a typo or mistake that is the actual spelling.

[@jeromebankston873]

TypicalFlutist u would think that but it is definitely spelled correctly. Frendship isd. That is a picture of the football stands of which is now the middle school. Look it up

[@scottt3100]

Ever thought maybe that is the correct spelling. It's a different word than friendship. Imagine that. Now who's the idiot?

[@staceynorman2992]

They wanted to call the school Friendship, because it was the merging of three other schools, but the Friendship name was already taken in Houston so the dropped the d and got Frenship. Reply