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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tornado Memory Project
Description
An account of the resource
The Tornado Memories Project was undertaken in 2005 as part of the 20th anniversary commemoration of the tornado that swept through the Mahoning Valley on May 31st, 1985, killing twelve Trumbull County residents and leaving hundreds injured and homeless. The Project sought to collect the personal memories and photographs of the people who experienced the tornado firsthand, and to make them available to the public through the library’s website.
The Project is ongoing. If you wish to submit your memories or images please email Elizabeth Glasgow at glasgowe@wtcpl.org and please put "Tornado Memory Project" somewhere in the subject line and we will contact you.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
050-002
Oral History
Narrative
Submitted: May 31, 2005
Amie Davis
Niles, Ohio
My memories of May 31st 1985 are a bit sketchy at best. I was only 7 years old the day the tornado ripped through our city. My mother, sister and I headed to Waddel Park to pick up my brother. We were not able to find him so my Mom took us to the Dairy Queen with out him. While we were in line at the Brazier a man pulled my Mom's arm and said "lady look at this!" As I peaked out the door I saw the monsterous storm. I understood what it was but I questioned my mother as to what all the smoke was. I understand now that that was the debris cloud. The tornado was so big that it was hard for the adults to tell which way it was moving. After the storm had passed us my mother tried to quickly get us home. Unfortunately every road to our house was blocked. All the phones were down. It was hours before we knew if our home was still standing. Some how we found my brother and a friend of the family who allowed us to stay the night with them. My father was home and was alerted to the tornado by our dog who ran up and down the stairs franticly until my Dad got up. My family was very fortunate. Our home was not damaged and we were all ok. In the days following the storm we were with out power for what seemed like a very long time. I remember all of the neighborhood kids piling into my neighbors Suburban and watching a little black and white TV that ran off the battery. I also remember what looked like Military jeeps and soldiers (Must have been the National Guard) waving to me on our street. The aftermath of the tornado left me with a fear of storms. For years every time it would thunder I would cry. And I am not alone. At the age of 27 my best friend Jenny is still terrorfied of storms. My hope is that even though it has been 20 year since that horrible day in our history that we remember not only the lives that were lost but the spirit of our friends and neighbors when faced with tragedy and never underestimate the power of Mother Nature.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Amie Davis : Tornado Oral History
Subject
The topic of the resource
Amie Davis
Niles, Ohio
National Guard
Waddell Park
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tornado Memory Project
Description
An account of the resource
The Tornado Memories Project was undertaken in 2005 as part of the 20th anniversary commemoration of the tornado that swept through the Mahoning Valley on May 31st, 1985, killing twelve Trumbull County residents and leaving hundreds injured and homeless. The Project sought to collect the personal memories and photographs of the people who experienced the tornado firsthand, and to make them available to the public through the library’s website.
The Project is ongoing. If you wish to submit your memories or images please email Elizabeth Glasgow at glasgowe@wtcpl.org and please put "Tornado Memory Project" somewhere in the subject line and we will contact you.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
050-002
Oral History
Narrative
Submitted: May 29, 2005
Evelyn Cruze
Crescent City, Florida
I was living in Howland at the time. We had a garage sale that day After closing it for the day, we decided to go out to dinner. We were seated at Perkins on Elm Road when the power went out. My husband didn't want to wait, so we left and headed towards Youngstown. As we headed on SR46 towards Rt 82, it looked darker and darker. When we got to 82, we started heading east. We could see power was out all along the roads. When we got to Vienna, we got off and headed towards Liberty. A tree was blocking the road so we turned around and went back to 82 headed west. When we got to SR11, we headed south. We worked our way to Rt 46 in Mineral Ridge and got off to eat there. The wind was so strong; I could feel grit in my mouth just walking into the restaurant. While we were eating, we noticed National Guardsmen heading towards Niles. As soon as we got into the van, we turned on the radio and heard the news of the tornado.
We heard on the radio that the Sheriff was requesting all personnel to report. My spouse was a special deputy and left as soon as he dropped us off at home. He helped escort generators to the site of the plaza that had been hit at US422 and Niles Vienna Road.
Our son was to graduate from Howland High School and there was a damper for graduation with some of he classmates impacted by the tornado.
The next day, we boxed up clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. from our garage sale and took them to the Red Cross. We were still without power and would watch the news from the TV in our van. Our neighbor would bring his generator to us for our fridge. Then use it on his own fridge - going back and forth. We cooked on our charcoal grill.
There are several things that stand out in my mind about all of this. Someone on a radio call in said if the US could send a man to the moon, then the power should be back on. The radio personality was shocked and ended up hanging up on the person after explaining the towers were gone and it took time to fix these things. Another thing was when we visited a street off North Road. I picked up a woman who lived on that street and took her to meetings. The neighborhood was so devastated; I couldn't tell where she lived. But the biggest thing was how on the next day, people still showed up for the garage sale. Most were understanding that we had decided to donate to the Red Cross, but one jerk wanted to give us $20.00 for what we had left. I thought my spouse was going to smack him, but all he did was escort him off our property.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Evelyn Cruze : Tornado Oral History
Subject
The topic of the resource
Evelyn Cruze
Howland, Ohio
Mineral Ridge, Ohio
Niles, Ohio
Howland High School
National Guard
Niles Vienna Road
North Road
Perkins
Red Cross
U.S. Route 422
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tornado Memory Project
Description
An account of the resource
The Tornado Memories Project was undertaken in 2005 as part of the 20th anniversary commemoration of the tornado that swept through the Mahoning Valley on May 31st, 1985, killing twelve Trumbull County residents and leaving hundreds injured and homeless. The Project sought to collect the personal memories and photographs of the people who experienced the tornado firsthand, and to make them available to the public through the library’s website.
The Project is ongoing. If you wish to submit your memories or images please email Elizabeth Glasgow at glasgowe@wtcpl.org and please put "Tornado Memory Project" somewhere in the subject line and we will contact you.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
050-002
Oral History
Narrative
Submitted: May 26, 2005
Roselyn Gadd
Girard, Ohio
My family in Niles was involved with the tornado. My mother was trying to get in touch with my uncle whose house was surrounded by National Guard. Everything in that area was secured by the NG because possessions were scattered everywhere and looters were anxious to take advantage.
My uncle was trapped under his porch with most of his home blown away.
I was so concerned to see my family and friends in turmoil, that I volunteered at the tornado center that was set up at Niles McKinley High School.
The Red Cross had set up a shelter and I worked a reception desk and talked to many tornado victims. I have many stories to share
1. A mother who said she saw her baby beig picked up off the floor by the wind. She grabbed her baby and saved her life.
2. A resident who had his entire home blown away with nothing left but a coffee table and a lace cloth still remaining.
3. A friend of mine from college who was driving in the car with her husband and was killed by the tornado.
4. A man driving a car and had all off the paint pulled off of his car while his father ( a passenger ) accused his son of speeding.
5. My uncle who lost so many belongings , had his wallet returned to him by a telephone repair man who found all the contents in tact atop a phone pole.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Roselyn Gadd : Tornado Oral History
Subject
The topic of the resource
Roselyn Gadd
Niles, Ohio
National Guard
Niles
Niles McKinley High School
Red Cross
Tornadoes