12 Dec 1967
Page 1
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Newspaper
Playground Daily News
Location
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1967
Page
1
Community residents recount moments as the tornado struck Sunday morning. Victor Martin and family hid in a bedroom as debris tore through, while the Cooks credit a bunk bed and the good Lord with saving them. Mrs. Cook notes gas lines, a total loss, yet a intact TV picture tube and mirror. Douglas Shipe details a 30 second strike and his daughter surviving a collapsed wall.
The State Insurance Commission forms a temporary Catastrophe Team at 118 South Perry Boulevard across from the Bank of Fort Walton. Bruce Caswell, State Catastrophe Coordinator, directs the effort with Bob Breckenridge supervising the field office. Caswell estimates at least 65 homes are totally lost, with replacement costs near 1.2 million dollars and the twister damage over 3 million.
Okaloosa County tax officials will field teams to evaluate tornado damage next week. Homeowners with any loss should report name and address to avoid missing tax reassessment. Re-evaluations start Jan 1 and lower assessments will apply to November bills.
Eglin Air Force Base units assisted in a tornado disaster with the 3201st Security Police Squadron contributing 64 personnel for traffic control and damage guidance, the Base Fire Protection Division supplying men and a 15000 gallon tanker and night lighting, the 560th Civil Engineering Squadron providing about 160 personnel and equipment, and Civil Air Patrols at 22 members operating radio units and a bus used as command post and food distribution center.
The Board of County Commissioners announced free storm cleanup aid for households outside city limits. Volunteers and paid county workers will clear debris, with waivers required at the Oskaloosa County Water and Sewer District or the Sheriff's Coordination Trailer at Highway 8 and Racetrack Road. City residents should contact FWB City Hall.
Sheriff Ray Wilson heads a makeshift command center in Crestview while coordinating a massive relief effort after a devastating tornado. Gov. Claude Kirk and Maj. Gen. Henry W. McMillan mobilize National Guard from Pensacola DeFuniak Springs and Crestview to support, with state officials projecting damage well over five million dollars.
Three year old Joann Coker died from head injuries after a tornado damaged homes in Fort Walton Beach. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Coker of 135 Holmes Blvd and had been hospitalized at Eglin AFB Hospital. Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday from the McNeil Mortuary chapel in Pensacola.
The Cinco Baptist Church hosts 125 National Guard personnel from three units after moving from Cheetawhatchee High School. The church provides auditorium sleeping space and a field kitchen while Eglin AFB donated 18 lighting units. Officers praise Fort Walton Beach residents for hospitality during the crisis.
Okaloosa Board of Public Instruction meets today to hear three bids on lunch and two elementary schools, review high school bonds, and discuss a plan to challenge the Mil lage Rollback Law in Leon County. The board weighs options to avoid loss of over a million dollars, including a special election and seeking higher millage with state approval. Max Bruner Jr. reports on routine matters and the attorney Erwin Fleet outlines steps.
Rep Rob Sikes says the Small Business Administration and Farmers Home Administration are authorized to issue loans to repair tornado damage in Fort Walton Beach Florida. The loans will aid eligible residents lacking credit in their home area and both agencies already have representatives in the area.
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