Lubbock remembers. Lubbock remembers the night a deadly F5 tornado tore through the community. Lubbock remembers the hurts and the loss of 26 men, women and children.
But Lubbock remembers the aid it received from surrounding communities to help rebuild it. And Lubbock remembers that it was 55 years ago on May 11 that it was forever changed.
Under a bright blue sky — unlike the dark and ominous sky on May 11, 1970 — community leaders gathered downtown on Sunday to unveil two Texas Historical Markers from the Lubbock County Historical Commission.
One to honor the struggle of a community that overcame a monumental obstacle. The other honors Dr. Tetsuya Theodore Fujita, whose research has helped deepen our understanding of the potential power and destruction of tornadoes.
“What happened that night changed this community,” said Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish. “It certainly changed the lives of the 26 who died that night, but it changed our community in a way I don’t think that anybody anticipated.”
Parrish said it showed the best of the West Texas community. Friends, families, neighbors and strangers came together to rebuild a community.
One of those individuals is the current Lubbock mayor — Mark McBrayer. He recalls seeing the devastation the morning after and embarking on rebuilding his community.
Fifty five years later, McBrayer said he hopes the markers not only honor Fujita and the deadly impact the tornado had on the city, but also serve as a testament to a community that will stand together no matter what.
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock County unveils Texas Historical Markers for deadly 1970 tornado, Dr. Ted Fujita
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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