The May 6, 1965 Tornadoes were the worst tornadoes in Twin
Cities history, with five tornadoes sweeping across the western and
northern portions of the 7-county region, and a sixth tornado just
outside the metropolitan area. Four tornadoes were rated F4, one
was an F3, and the other produced F2 damage. Thirteen people were
killed and 683 injured. Many more would have been killed had it not
been for the warnings of the U.S. Weather Bureau, local officials,
and the outstanding communications by local radio and television
stations. Many credit the announcers of WCCO-AM with saving
countless lives. It was also the first time in Twin Cities history
that civil defense sirens were used for severe weather.
I grew up with stories of this tornado. It affected me in many
odd ways. When we went into the lake in the spring for our first
swim I was always worried that I would step on a body that had been
blown into the lake during the tornado. I can laugh about it now
but this end of the lake was devastated and the adults did not
quickly forget that day.
