Remembering The Sedalia Tornado Of 1977

Throughout the years, I've heard tales about the Big Tornado of 1977.

Of course, I wasn't there - I wasn't even born yet - but I've heard the stories.

It was on May 4, 1977. It tore up a lot of local houses and businesses, and I've seen photos from time to time. My maternal grandmother used to tell me stories about how it came to her house. She used to have a regular front porch on her house, and the tornado came and took it completely away - so then they had to build a new, enclosed porch.

I have some vague memories of my Dad talking to me about it, I seem to remember they ran to their basement and maybe the door came off? Every now and then when we'd drive down 65 my Mom would tell me about the Country Club that used to be there. I never could really visualize it, though.

One of my English teachers in Middle School told me about something her boyfriend told her - that he'd been in the Mark Twain Elementary School when the tornado hit and took the roof off of the building.  That blew my little 11 year old mind, let me tell ya.

We are smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley - and so it seems like every year we get a scare or two.  Luckily I don't think we've had anything that bad since then. It was so bad that  1,500 people were left homeless, with 150 homes destroyed, another 300 damaged, and some $20 million in damage reported.

Do you remember the tornado of 77?  Did you hear any stories growing up? Do you have any pictures left to share with us?

Cyclonily yours,

Behka