Wednesday marks the 56th anniversary of the infamous tornado that ripped through Charles City on May 15, 1968.
During a remembrance of that fateful day (during the 55th anniversary remembrance at the Charles City Community Center in 2023), Becky Meyer recalled the force of the twister while she was at her friend Jo Austin’s house on North Jackson Street.
Bruce Eldridge was a high schooler getting ready for his new job as a French fry cook.Â
Former ABC television reporter Brian Ross was just 19-years-old when he went into action to cover the tornado that day while working for KCHA radio.
Ross and his co-workers then headed for shelter in the vault of the station’s basement.
Dave Nehls was also in high school and ventured out with his friend, Kevin Kelly, after the twister had left behind its path of destruction.
Kip Hauser of Hauser-Weishaar Funeral Home recounted the job he and his dad had to do at the hospital in the aftermath of the storm.
The tornado is officially recorded as striking Charles City at 4:51 pm on May 15, 1968.
