On April 9, 1947, the worst natural disaster to ever strike within the borders of the state of Oklahoma happened near Woodward. It came without warning, killing 185 (116 in Oklahoma) and injuring over 1,000. The twister that wreaked havoc on Woodward first touched down near Canadian, Texas. Its base measured 2 miles across, and it maintained that killer size for six hours as it traveled from Texas to Oklahoma to Kansas. The tornado leveled 100 city blocks with wind speeds ranging from 225 to 440 mph. Scenes of death from the F5 tornado were everywhere and Woodward was left in ruins with over 1,000 homes and businesses destroyed. Here is the destruction it left in its path:
1.The devastation was horrific at Bradbury Produce and Armour Creameries.
2. A flat-bed truck was found toppled upside down.
3. View of damage on the southwest corner of a two-story dwelling.
4. The Coca-Cola Bottling Plant ripped to shreds.
5. The start of reconstruction at Safeway.
6. Side view looking northwest at the damaged highway bridge just north of Woodward.
7. Aerial view of the wreckrage.
8. The OG&E Power Plant was unrecognizable.
9. The United Brethren Church lost its place of worship.
10. Blocks and blocks of twisted wreckage in Woodward.
11. The Osborn-Peebles Labor Yard lost a good amount of its supplies and sustained unrepairable damage.
12. View of damage to a wholesale grocery warehouse on the east edge of the tornado damaged path.
13. Wreckage in the Business District was some of the worst that Woodward experienced.
14. The Ford Garage left in shambles.
15. All that was left of this Catholic Church was the entrance.
16. The city courthouse with every window busted out and extensive damage sustained.
It makes us grateful for the advancements in tornado warnings and sirens. The first official tornado forecast – and tornado warning – was made by United States Air Force Capt. (later Col.) Robert C. Miller and Major Ernest Fawbush, on March 25, 1948.
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