Longtime Lubbockites gathered together to welcome and recognize the new tornado memorial in downtown Lubbock on the 51st anniversary of the tornado that devastated Lubbock on May 11, 1970.
A dedication ceremony took place Tuesday morning near the site of the new memorial. Family members of the 26 people who died in the tornado were recognized at Tuesday s ceremony, and given flowers from the mayor and members of the Lubbock City Council.
Speakers reflected on the loss of life, those who were injured and the devastation to the community. Two tornadoes touched down on May 11,1970, and it was the large F5 tornado that had a destructive path lane of 8.5 miles and a width of 1.5 miles. The tornado covered 15 square miles, while the storm dumped three inches of rain and hail the size of grapefruits.