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Q: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965 ( No Answer,   6 Comments )
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Subject: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
Category: Reference, Education and News
Asked by: lynnie6923-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 19 Aug 2005 13:27 PDT
Expires: 18 Sep 2005 13:27 PDT
Question ID: 557818
I am looking for information and pictures regarding a tornado that hit
Olympia Fields, IL on August 26,1965. I was 10 years old at the time,
and I would like to see if my memory of the events matches what was
recorded. I have found a few articles,but I am confident that there
was more written and perhaps pictures.
This tornado was one of many that occured in the midwest on that day. 
Thanks!
Lynn

Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 19 Aug 2005 14:27 PDT
Hi Lynn,

You say you've found a few articles.  It would help researchers in a
big way, if you could indicate what articles you've found - that way a
researcher won't duplicate the information you already have.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

Clarification of Question by lynnie6923-ga on 19 Aug 2005 15:12 PDT
Thanks for you response. The problem I am having is while I can find a
few lines here and there that make reference to the tornado, they are
in newspapers
in neighboring states. I have found references in Wisconsin, and Iowa.
As I mentioned this was a huge chain of storms.And the only references
to Olympia Fields  IL I have found are contained in articles in other
papers. I did not save those articles as I kept thinking, I would find
one with extensive coverage.
The National Guard was sent to Olympia Fields, and our neigborhood, Arcadia, 
had severe damage. There are many Chicago area papers, and I just
can't believe there was not extensive coverage of it.
thanks in advance for your help. .
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: elids-ga on 19 Aug 2005 16:47 PDT
 
according to http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/iltorn.htm
there were 15 tornadoes that day in Cook County, IL. at 11;10 PM,F1 type.
AUG 26, 1965    015   2310     0      0     F1     031 

Noaa has this to say about  it (from a Google cache page)
August 26
August 26th, 1965:  Shortly after 11 PM a small tornado traveled
through Cook County causing no damage or injuries
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:GjVD5P-i6aEJ:www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/wxpns/Aug_trivia.html+Tornado+%22Cook+county%22+%2B1965&hl=en

It appears that although the storm produced several tornadoes they
were relatively small and produced no damage, I doubt you would find
anything more than passing references to this since because of the
size, lack of injuries and damage.
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: lynnie6923-ga on 19 Aug 2005 17:21 PDT
 
Thanks elids-ga. Im still holding out for some information, because
there was a LOT of damage, and a lot of injuries.I do recall the
National Guard being brought in,so I am sure there are pictures
somewhere. I remember at the time, there was a lot of coverage, and I
can almost see those newspaper articles. I wish my parents had saved
them!
I do thank you for your efforts! 
Lynn
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: elids-ga on 21 Aug 2005 08:29 PDT
 
In that case you would be well served by going to the local library
and searching tthrough the papers immediately follow the event.

You could also go to 
http://www.ancestry.com/learn/contentcenters/contentCenter.aspx?page=newspaper#newspapersTypes
and subscribe to their site to search through those papers on-line. 

Hope that helps,
Good luck!
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: boilerjeff-ga on 26 Aug 2005 21:15 PDT
 
I was born at St. James Hospital 40 years ago tonight during the storm
that you are asking about Last year I found this article by Tom
Skilling which was very interesting. If there is a char limit I will
post the article in 2 pieces.
***
Derecho of August 26-27, 1965--Midnight storm devastates city
Published August 23, 2004

Thirty nine years ago on August 26-27, 1965, the Chicago area was
battered by one of the worst "derechos" to ever sweep across this
city. The derecho, (a widespread and long duration windstorm caused by
a line of rapidly-moving t-storms) formed ahead of a cold front
extending from southern Minnesota to western Iowa during the late
afternoon of August 26. The storm moved eastward at speeds in excess
of 50 m.p.h. carving out a path of destruction all the way to Chicago.
Sweeping from NW to SE across the Chicago metropolitan area, the storm
produced torrential rainfall, hail, funnel clouds and damaging winds
causing an estimated 7 million dollars of damage. The strongest winds,
as high as 100 m.p.h., swept areas from Joliet to Park Forest.
Thousands of downed trees littered the area, including 700 at the
Olympia Fields Country Club. Countless homes were damaged or destroyed
and widespread power and telephone outages left many areas without
service for days. Several area airports were hard hit; Lewis
University Airport reported 30 small planes wrecked or heavily
damaged. Though no fatalities were reported in Chicago, the massive
storm killed 5 and injured 146 along its path from Iowa to Ohio.
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: lynnie6923-ga on 27 Aug 2005 11:26 PDT
 
Jeff, 

Thanks so much. Would you have the source for that article?  Thanks
again, and I sure hope I can find some pictures.
thanks again.
Subject: Re: Information regarding tornado in Olympia Fields , IL August 26,1965
From: dauginas-ga on 14 Aug 2006 21:31 PDT
 
History of Olympia Fields, Copyright Edward D. Dionne 1977.
Library of Congress 77-080774 pp 149-152 includes photos.

I was looking for the same info. as I lived in the stone house on the
north side of vollmer road. It must have taken us 3 months to get rid
of all those trees. I am researching the history of that house before
and after the time my family occupied it which would be anything other
1953 - 1969. The reason for the research is because a developer
recently demolished the house, and I am looking to put together a
presentation on the history of that house. Also, I am looking for
information about the way the police operated back then. The only
information I have is from my dad telling me that ed burke was the
marshall appointed by the county, and that my dad was his deputy.

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