The tornado that killed the most people ever in the state of Ohio: the Lorain Sandusky Tornado

Hello, Welcome to another episode of North Coast History and Haunts. In today's episode we take a look at the killer tornado in Lorain and Sandusky on June 28th, 1924. We visit where the tornado started and where it ended and tell the story along the way.
On June 28, 1924, a devastating tornado crushed the Northern Ohio lakeshores hitting Sandusky and Lorain very hard in particular. The storm began as a low pressure system moving rapidly East and colliding with the warm air, this devastating storm slammed into Sandusky Bay killing 8 people and crushing over 100 houses and 50 businesses. The waterworks were wiped out and a ferry in the harbor was ripped from its moorings, tipped over and 15 people drowned.
The storm moved offshore until it swept violently South and East slamming into Lakeview Park in Lorain, Ohio where a crowd of people had gathered to celebrate a fine Saturday by cooling off in the Lake and picnics with their families. The tornado came onshore with no advanced warning directly onto the beach where people desperately grabbed anything they could to avoid being swept away. Cars were tossed into the Lake and bobbed silently and slowly down to a water grave.
The storm slammed into the residential neighborhoods and entire streets were leveled. The storm crushed the downtown area and stopping at the Black River where the devastation began to end. The entire downtown area was crushed. The State Theater was hit hard when the roof of the neighboring building was lifted off and deposited onto the State, the roof collapsed onto the balcony below which then collapsed onto the main floor crushing anyone unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Martial law was declared and ignored. Looting was rampant and all lines of communication were knocked out with no way to alert the outside world. People formed refugee camps in a desperate search for safety compounded by the fact that fire began to spread with ruptured gas lines now igniting.
Eventually brave souls crossed the river and alerted the world.
Aid poured in and entire rail cars were sent loaded with aid, food, supplies, even doctors and nurses were onboard to help.
Lorain, Ohio would eventually heal but not forget. The devastation still lives on and has become part of the city. Lorain is enjoying a renaissance of sorts with a revitalized downtown area. The Lorain Historical is a fantastic place to learn more and they have something very special planned for the anniversary of the storm.
Thanks to the Sandusky and Lorain Historical Societies! You guys rock!
Lorain:lchs.org
Sandusky Historical: www.google.com...
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