1899 New Richmond tornado
 | |
| Max. rating1 | Unknown strength tornado |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 117 |
| Damage | $300,000 (1899 USD), $7 million (2005 USD) |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale | |
The New Richmond Tornado was an unprecedented disaster in the northern Great Plains. It nearly destroyed the village of New Richmond, Wisconsin on June 12, 1899, killing 117 and injuring 125 people. More than $300,000 ($7 million 2005 USD) in damage was reported.[1][2]
Synopsis
June 12 was a very warm, sunny day for most of the afternoon. The Gollmar Brothers Circus was in town that day, drawing hundreds of visitors in addition to the bustling village's 2500 inhabitants. Around 3 pm, clouds began to build, and the sky became quite dark. As the circus ended for the day around 4:30, a heavy rain, with some hail, began to fall. The rain let up around 5:00, and people began to head home for the day. By 6:00, the streets of New Richmond were full of tourists, travellers, and residents alike.[3]
Meanwhile, the tornado began as a waterspout on Lake St. Croix, about 15 miles southwest of New Richmond, at around 5:30. Eyewitness accounts describe a boiling cloud, which seemed to skirt the hills to the east of Lake St. Croix, and then head straight for New Richmond. Passing over mostly open country, it destroyed several farm buildings near Burkhardt and Boardman as it travelled northeast. Three people were killed there.[3][1]
According to eyewitnesses, there was little or no warning in New Richmond. Within minutes, homes and businesses were splintered and torn from their foundations, flying debris filled the air, and people were swept to their deaths. The tornado was completely illuminated by lightning, so everyone in town saw the vortex approach. Some barely had time to scramble for shelter in storm cellars, some did not. Some who did take refuge found it was not enough. Many people caught in the street ran into the O.J. Williams dry goods store, which turned out to be a death trap. The store was swept away, and the people taking shelter in the cellar were pelted to death by flying bricks and timbers.[3][1]
Most people who could not find shelter were killed. Debris of all sorts flew through the air at tremendous speeds. A 3,000 pound safe was flung a block from its original location. Eyewitnesses described trees and timbers hurled "like javelins" through the air, and people swept up and thrown against walls or the ground.[3]
After the tornado left town, another storm with strong winds swept through, sending people back into their shelters. It is likely that some died in fires while potential help was hiding from the possibility of another tornado.[3]
Aftermath
All but the extreme west end of the town was obliterated by the tornado and subsequent fires. More than 500 buildings were destroyed, and the only significant surviving structures were the Catholic and Baptist churches. The town's electrical plant and water facilities were destroyed, so fires ran rampant through the scattered debris. Many bodies found in the aftermath were burnt beyond recognition—it was impossible to tell if they died from the tornado or from being trapped and burned alive.[3]
Twenty-six families experienced multiple deaths, and six reported 4 or more deaths in the family. After order was restored, authorities determined that a total of 117 people had been killed (114 in the village) and more than 200 injured. This is the 8th highest death toll for any single tornado in American history.[1]
The town was so completely damaged, the town had to be essentially rebuilt. Damage claims exceeded $300,000 ($7 million in 2006 USD), however, it may have been as high as $600,000 ($14 million 2006 USD).[3][4]
References
- ^ a b c d Grazulis, Thomas P (July). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ The Tornado Project. #8: The New Richmond Tornado. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sather, Mary. "They Built Their City Twice: A History of New Richmond, Wisconsin" Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ Wisconsin Historical Society. Dictionary of Wisconsin History: New Richmond tornado (1899). Retrieved on 2007-06-27.