Today in Wheeling History: April 19--A destructive tornado struck downtown Wheeling, injuring nine people and causing an estimated $500,000 in damage ($8 million today) as it tore roofs off buildings, demolished vehicles, and littered streets with debris along a path from 16th to 22nd Streets (1925).
A powerful tornado struck downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, on Sunday, April 19, 1925, around noon, causing extensive damage estimated at half a million dollars (equivalent to around $8 million today). The storm tore roofs off many buildings, demolished five automobiles, and littered the streets with wreckage. Nine people were injured, some seriously, mostly from flying debris as they were caught in their cars on 16th Street.
The tornado formed at the mouth of Wheeling Creek and moved eastward along 16th and 17th streets. The wind was so strong it created a whirling funnel of wood, bricks, and stone. The Union Storage Company building at 16th and Main Streets lost its roof and upper walls, providing much of the debris. Live wires hampered rescue work until they could be shut off.
The tornado was preceded by oppressive heat and humidity, with the temperature rising from 41°F in the morning to near 90°F just before the storm hit. The atmospheric conditions were highly unusual for the area. The storm then continued east, damaging other parts of Wheeling and surrounding towns before dissipating. Miraculously, the Ohio Valley General Hospital, directly in the storm's path, was spared any damage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3fuum4x8) (https://tinyurl.com/5y8mhmv5) (https://tinyurl.com/mu73hp7t) (https://tinyurl.com/y297m9e4)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
A powerful tornado struck downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, on Sunday, April 19, 1925, around noon, causing extensive damage estimated at half a million dollars (equivalent to around $8 million today). The storm tore roofs off many buildings, demolished five automobiles, and littered the streets with wreckage. Nine people were injured, some seriously, mostly from flying debris as they were caught in their cars on 16th Street.
The tornado formed at the mouth of Wheeling Creek and moved eastward along 16th and 17th streets. The wind was so strong it created a whirling funnel of wood, bricks, and stone. The Union Storage Company building at 16th and Main Streets lost its roof and upper walls, providing much of the debris. Live wires hampered rescue work until they could be shut off.
The tornado was preceded by oppressive heat and humidity, with the temperature rising from 41°F in the morning to near 90°F just before the storm hit. The atmospheric conditions were highly unusual for the area. The storm then continued east, damaging other parts of Wheeling and surrounding towns before dissipating. Miraculously, the Ohio Valley General Hospital, directly in the storm's path, was spared any damage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3fuum4x8) (https://tinyurl.com/5y8mhmv5) (https://tinyurl.com/mu73hp7t) (https://tinyurl.com/y297m9e4)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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