The Tornado of 1985 - Tornado Memories
On May 31, 1985, a series of tornadoes hit Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, leaving behind a wide path of death and devastation. Homes and businesses were destroyed and it was many years before recovery efforts were completed.
The Local History and Genealogy Center of the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library has started a collection of photographs, newspaper articles and reminiscences from those who experienced the disaster. Our goal is to create a centralized collection of information relating to the tornado, so that future generations will have access to the events of that night more than 20 years ago, and the courage and community that arose in the hours, days and weeks following.
See a sample of photographs from our larger collection at the Photographic Memories page. Read what others remember about the Tornado of 1985 at our Memories From Around the Valley page. (A complete collection of written memories - including submissions not available online - is on file in the Local History and Genealogy Center.)
To learn more about severe weather events in the Buckeye State visit the Severe Weather In Ohio: Online Exhibit on the Ohio Historical Society Website.
You may also want to visit this site by Jim Bruner, it is dedicated to all who lost their lives from the May 31, 1985 tornadoes that devastated Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada.
Return to the Local History & Genealogy page.