THE PALM SUNDAY TORNADO - APRIL 11, 1965

[Page 1 - home] [Page 3 - the damage path] [Page 4 - aftermath]

Witnesses to the tornado's approach

The tornado struck Manitou Beach at Devils Lake about 7:44 p.m., about one half-hour after sunset. Intense cloud cover and deteriorating weather conditions contributed to a premature darkness this evening. Witnesses to the actual tornado are happenstance - most survivors were inside their homes or cottages and did not realize a tornado was approaching until they heard it, or their houses blew apart around them. Among the few who spotted the tornado described the following:

Witness #1, on the southwest side of Devils Lake, was watching the southwest skies when, in an area of intense lightning, a large, stout black area appeared where there was lightning. Accompanying the approach of this black mass was a roar like a train. The witness sought cover at this moment.

Witness #2, on the south side of Devils Lake, was driving southbound on Devils Lake Highway. The weather abruptly worsened, and an attempt was made to make a U-turn and return northbound. While this maneuver was being executed, from the west came what appeared to be a solid wall of debris. The witness's car was picked up and destroyed, yet the witness escaped serious injury.

Witness #3, on the south side of Devils Lake, noticed the loose tile flooring begin to lift off the floor. Alarmed, the witness noticed out the window to the north a large, mushroom-shaped funnel cloud/tornado. Shelter was sought immediately.

Witness #4, on the south side of neighboring Round Lake, apparently knew of the twister's approach and observed the tornado, backlit by lightning, approach from the west, then turn northeast and grind a path between Devils and Round Lakes.