May 6th, 1965 Tornadoes: One of the Deadliest Days in Minnesota

The day started off nice enough. Kids were piling into school buses and parents were heading to work for the day. Loons were calling out on calm Minnesota lakes. It didn't take long for that to change on May 6, 1965, when six large twisters dropped out of the sky and unleashed a tornadic fury.

On that tragic day, 13 lives were lost, 500 were injured, 600 homes were destroyed, and 1,700 people were left homeless, according to WCCO Radio.

However, in a tribute to live and local radio, countless lives were saved by two radio announcers doing something unprecedented. Remember, in 1965 there were no cell phones, no weather apps, and really no warning systems. So, radio veterans Dick Chapman and Charlie Boone put callers live on the air to give updates as to what they were witnessing. The reports were very valuable in providing locations and directions in which the tornadoes were heading.

The actions are thought to have saved countless lives by giving adequate warning of the incoming F2 to F4 tornadoes. It was also the longest-lasting hail event in Minnesota history with golf ball to baseball-sized hail falling for nearly 6 hours!

You can listen to some of the evening's WCCO broadcast below, courtesy of WCCO Radio.

Fast forward 59 years to May 6, 2024, a line of severe weather moved from Texas, through Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota with several tornado warnings along the way. Today we have Doppler Radar, cell phones with weather apps, and Emergency Broadcast System on local radio to help warn residents of incoming weather.

It's a good reminder to have a NOAA Weather Radio or base station for your home. Most climatologists are saying the same thing about unpredictable warmer patterns from the gulf that can make weather very unsettled. Be safe.

Twelve South Dakota Places to Put on Your "Must Visit" List!

Make the most of summer in South Dakota and visit these spots that speak to why SD is great!

A lot of them you might have visited, some you haven't for sure, and some are old favorites that maybe you haven't been to in a while. So, while there is still a little time or even one more weekend, and gas prices are down a bit - - try and make it to one of these great places.

What can be found in these 12 locations?

What can't? Camping, fishing swimming, kayaking, birdwatching, and tons of other great outdoors-type activities. Historical, educational exploration, hobby interests, kids activities, just plain old beautiful scenery, and- - to use an overused phrase- -lots more!

With all of that in mind, let's dive in!

Gallery Credit: Patty D