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Newspaper
Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Location
Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
Date
May 13, 1970
Page
2
Massive disaster reports detail a tornado that ripped through Lubbock causing immense destruction in a wide swath of the city. Survivors turn to future as volunteers and aid arrive by plane, helicopter, truck, and bulldozer to begin massive cleanup efforts. Community centers like Municipal Coliseum serve as hubs for shelter and relief offers.
Avalanche Journal reports a severe Monday night storm striking Lubbock with extensive property and tree damage. Winds uprooted trees and shattered building exteriors along 28th Street to Indiana Avenue, with major structural loss in the northeastern quadrant. Numerous businesses and schools suffered roof and window damage, and residential blocks along 4th Street to the Clovis Highway endured widespread destruction including Armnet Benson area.
A fierce tornado ripped through Lubbock causing 20 deaths and over 500 injuries. The disaster prompted a major mobilization with federal and state officials, shelters for hundreds, widespread power and water outages, and an estimated 100 to 150 million dollars in damages. Emergency operations centered at City Hall as rescue and relief efforts continued through Tuesday night.
SBA official says its Lubbock office will stay open late to assist disaster victims. 3 percent disaster loan rates are available for damaged homes and businesses. An emergency office at Jackson Elementary School provides counseling and forms with applicants directed to the Federal Office Building at 1516 19th Street. Hillery Sandoval, SBA administrator, arrived from Washington to review the site.
The piece lauds swift communal response after the Lubbock tornado with law enforcement fire and utility workers hospital staff and residents aiding the stricken area. It praises citizens offering homes and the moral strength shown amid deaths injuries and property loss while noting leadership and cleanup efforts.
After a surprise tornado and hurricane-force winds hit Northeast Lubbock, top officials sought federal disaster designation. President Nixon expected to declare the area a national disaster by midmorning, unlocking $50 million in SBA loans and federal aid for debris removal, unemployment, and temporary housing.
A reader asks for divine help to treat others as they wish to be treated, invoking daily practice of Thy Golden Rule in Jesus name. Amen.
Tornado fatalities rose to twenty with DPS confirming the count late Tuesday. The submitted victim list names numerous individuals and their funeral homes including Resthaven Singleton Wilson Henderson Sanders and Henderson Funeral Directors. Names include Thomas Andrews of Eunice Pauline Zaraans Aurora Salazar and Jack Lopez among others, with ages and addresses provided for many. The chaotic scene notes multiple families affected across several streets and cities as authorities released the roster of the deceased.
In a single fierce event, Lubbock suffered massive damage with quarter of the city in shambles. Police set up a temporary morgue at Smylie Wilson Junior High as officers tag, fingerprint, and photo victims. Debris pierced people, with a woman crushed and head injuries common.
Tornado damaged A J plant printed the Avalanche Journal edition as Tuesday and Wednesday editions were assembled by A J staffers and sent to the Amarillo Globe News which published it and rushed it by truck back to Lubbock.
Eight men armed with automatic weapons pistols and grenades hijacked a Dutch airline plane in Santo Domingo and forced it to fly to Cuba, an airport spokesman said. The Tuesday hijacking involved An Alles ALM airliner and prompted a security response.
Lubbock Independent School District plans a normal return to operation today except for nine schools listed Estacado High School Jackson Carter Arnett Wright Sanders Guadalupe North Avenue Carroll. Superintendent Nat Williams says all district employees will report to duty on Wednesday May 13 at their usual posts with most schools open and rural buses running though Route 5 to Wright Alderson and Batacado will not operate special education buses.
A tornado touched down two miles east of Tohoka near Lubbock around 8 20 p m as dark clouds and hail swept the area. Officials said the twister moved southeast with unconfirmed reports of others, but no injuries or damages were reported. Weather forecasts warned of continued storms and a 30 to 40 percent rain chance, with a Thursday outlook cooler and windy. A tornado alert covered a 40 county South Plains region including Lubbock County and many neighboring counties. Residents remained wary after Mon day's devastation as more storms were forecast.
Southwestern Be It Telephone Co reports 13 000 Lubbock phones restored on Tuesday while 12 000 remain out of service. The killer Monday tornado devastated the city, knocking out 25 000 telephones. Bell notes 550 long distance circuits down and about 1 150 in operation. The company moved in 100 repairmen from outside and now has 240 workers restoring service.
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