May 27, 1997: Jarrell, Texas

An unidentified couple watches as volunteers and rescue workers dig through the debris of a recycling facility in Jarrell, Texas. The plant was destroyed by a tornado on May 27, 1997. © Temple Daily Telegram/Matthew Crawley

An unidentified couple watches as volunteers and rescue workers dig through the debris of a recycling facility in Jarrell, Texas. The plant was destroyed by a tornado on May 27, 1997. © Temple Daily Telegram/Matthew Crawley

[F]ourteen years ago today, at approximately 3:45pm, at F5 tornado hit the Double Creek Estates in Jarrell, Texas. At the time, I was about a mile or so to the northeast on the frontage road of I-35 watching the backside of the incredibly dark storm. About an hour and a half later, I took the photo above of an unidentified couple watching rescuers digging through the debris.  Beside being in the paper I worked for, the photo moved on the Associated Press wire service and was featured in a number of papers as well as the front page of MSNBC.com.

The storm killed 27 in that small community, including one entire family.  I remember the victims and often pray for their friends and family each time I hear of a tornado such as Joplin.

I had hoped to visit Jarrell today but events kept me from doing so.  I have never written publicly about my experiences of that day.  Look for a post detailing that day which will include photos that have never been published.

Matthew

2 thoughts on “May 27, 1997: Jarrell, Texas

  1. Pingback: May 27, 1997 — The Jarrell, Texas Tornado | Stormstalker

  2. Pingback: May 27, 1997 — The Jarrell, Texas Tornado | Stormstalker

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