[ARRL-OK] Blackwell Tornado

[Eddie Manley]

News from Kay County::

Tomorrow, Blackwell is going to unveil a Memorial to those who lost 
their lives, and were injuried, in the tornado that hit in 1955.  This 
is to remember the 50th year anniversary of this tremendously 
devastating tornado on May 25th.

. Many of us remember the incident and the destruction that was reeked 
upon the City of Blackwell that night. The dedication of this marker, 
with the names of some 21 who lost their lives, will be set in the 
Memorial Park on Main Street in Blackwell, at 6pm.

  Channel 9, in Oklahoma City, will run a story about it tomorrow, and 
Mick Phillips, N5VEA, has been interviewed about his survival of this 
horrible event. Mick, and his family, lived through it.  And, there will 
be many photos and memorabilia on display at the Red Cross Building in 
Blackwell.
   
  The Daily Oklahoman is suppost to run an article, tomorrow, about the 
Blackwell Tornado of 1955.
 
  I mentioned that many of us remember this incident .... I guess that I 
started my 'storm spotting' activities about that time, as we watched, 
from just east of Tonkawa, this funnel move toward the City of 
Blackwell. We attempted to contact friends and relatives there by 
telephone to warn them, but looking back -- I wish I would have had the 
wonderful access to Amateur Radio that we enjoy today -- maybe 20 lives 
could have been saved.
 
Eddie Manley 73 , K5EMS