Using still photos and amateur footage taken by survivors, this film recalls the tragedy and acts of heroism that followed one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. A Native American legend about the location of Waco held that a tornado would never hit the area; on May 11, 1953, this legend proved false. Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on that fateful day, a powerful tornado touched down, cutting a path of devastation through the downtown area. The intensity of the storm was such that cars were tossed through the air and many buildings were completely demolished; in the aftermath 114 people had lost their lives, with over a thousand persons sustaining injuries. The reaction to the storm was swift, with the community, supported by military and law enforcement personnel, banding together to dig survivors from the wreckage and resurrect the city.

McLennan County Waco

May 11, 1953 Waco fountain downtown Waco Austin Avenue The Waco Tornado state marker Tommie Suits Jimmie Willis Harry Provence death The Photo History Group Impact Productions The Waco Tornado, Tragedy and Triumph Juanita Willis Windy Drum Bill Cagle Whayne Farmer Jr. Al Grauer Jim Jasek Homan Easley Joe Walker Larry Walker Wilton Lanning Jr. Dorothy Progar Helen Quiram Baylor University Kathleen Schwartz Jim Tom Speer Milford Springfield still photos parade march World War II RT Dennis Furniture Store Tom Padgitt Building Waco City Hall Katy Park Teddy Roosevelt Babe Ruth

newspaper The Waco Times-Herald storm destruction wreckage sun pool swimming pool swimming Cotton Palace Coliseum death steeple Cotton Belt Freight Depot Dr. Pepper Bottling plant First National Bank Dennis Building volunteers clean up efforts Texas Seed Company Joy Theater Chris's Café Palace Recreation Hall Hilton Hall Waco Convention Center Freedom Fountain ruins Bridge Street 114 dead Waco Grain and Seed Company Gem theater tractor NBC news soldiers rescue injured victims casualties triage ambulances corpses 8mm

flooding crushed cars funeral Waco Memorial Park Red Cross Salvation Army boy scouts Waco disaster fund Lake Waco TSTI Waco Brazos River historical marker TFC