“In Just a Few Seconds…”

An Analysis of the Decisions Made In the Path of an F5 Tornado

Event Overview

    Only F5 tornado in West Michigan 17 killed, 340 Injured, $12 million damage Worst Natural Disaster in Area History Three other strong to violent tornadoes

Good Friday, March 30, 1956 Spring in Michigan, 1956 There were ice and snow storms the last week of March, 1956 and 5 inches of snow fell on April 7, 1956 In between came the worst tornado outbreak in area history on April 3rd.

Saturday, April 7, 1956 Photos courtesy of Joan Mull and Robert Bianchi

These April 3 rd Front Page Headlines were a Clue

Plot of Tornado Paths during Outbreak of April 2-3, 1956 Tornado Outbreak on April 2-3, 1956 from Oklahoma to Mississippi and north to Wisconsin and Michigan produced 40 fatalities and at least 17 tornadoes of F3 or greater intensity. The Standale/Hudsonville tornado was the strongest and deadliest.

F2 2 deaths 7 inj Bancroft, WI F4 2 deaths 24 inj 200 yds wide Worst damage in Benzie County F4 7 deaths, 50 inj Berlin, WI

Hudsonville/Standale F5

F3 12 inj 150yds wide Bangor to Lowell

F2 F2 F3 F2 F1

Tornadoes in Wisconsin earlier that afternoon killed nine people and Michigan was put on alert. Schools let out early in Holland and Civil Defense was notified by 3 pm.

2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Tornado #1 : 1. Camp Gray 2. Oval Beach beach house 3. Saugatuck Lighthouse 4. Denison Estate 5. James Boyce house 6. Gene Huyser house 7. Joseph Wolf house 8. Rivulet Hurst Dairy 9. Oetman Farm 10.Heetderks Farm 11.Genzink house 12.Modder’s Plumbing

Before and After photos of the James Boyce house near Gibson.

Three people escaped with minor injuries.

Aware of threat, talking about the unusual look to the sky. Saw it coming ran for basement, did not have enough time to get there.

Photos courtesy Jim Boyce and the Saugatuck/Douglas Historical Society

Photos of the tornado as it was passing near Graafschap. From West 32 nd Street looking south Credit: Jarvin Kleiman, courtesy of Dirk Bloemendaal

Direction of tornado Hudsonville: New Holland Street: First fatality was here. Only seconds to react. Did not get to basement. Victim was on second floor.

Direction of tornado 40 th and Van Buren: 3 people killed here. 5 year old in basement and two people in house with no basement. Several people survived by taking shelter in a ditch. F5 damage was done here.

Example of F5 damage: home completely swept away

36 th and Port Sheldon: 8 people killed in this area. Two elderly, died in their home. Two died in a car, trying to flee the storm, drove into it. Four died after leaving their house to get to the neighbors, hit by flying debris.

28 th and Baldwin: Another fatality in this area: 3 year old in basement, house collapsed into basement

Direction of tornado Standale, Michigan: One fatality, an elderly, bed-ridden woman on second floor of house.

Standale Business District from the ground It was after business hours and higher ground allowed for earlier sighting the tornado approaching.

Photo Credit: Ken Foster, Lou Nichols

Direction of Tornado Nixon Avenue: NW Grand Rapids

Tornado moving through NW Grand Rapids Photo credit: Marvin Bueker, George Davis

Vinecroft Street: Two fatalities here One fatality in a house. Family did not have time to get to the basement.

Second fatality in a car, trying to flee the tornado.

Photos courtesy of Pat Ykema 4 Mile Road, Comstock Park The 17 th and final fatality was here, house collapsed, no basement

Path of Destruction through Walker, Comstock Park and Belmont Photos courtesy Paul Kovalak

And to Rockford… Photo Credit: Jack Erickson

A Closer Look

      17 fatalities, over 300 injured 5 killed in houses with a basement (did not get there) 4 killed outside by flying debris 3 killed in houses with no basement 3 killed while fleeing in a car 2 killed in basement (both were small children) Recurring theme: lack of awareness, not enough time to react, no plan. Other issues: False optimism, belief that “it can’t happen here”,

Discussion

    How to remedy against complacency?

Must we wait for an historic event?

Eliminating threat versus minimizing threat When is it safe to drive away?