PALM SUNDAY TORNADO APRIL 6, 1965
Robert J. Groner's memories about the Palm Sunday Tornado that struck Grandma
Boyd's home:
"Grandma Boyd was living in Grafton, Lorain, Ohio on April 6,1965 when a Tornado
struck her home. It was a part of the Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak that went
through most of Northern Ohio.
I remember that it was warm and muggy out that night. The sky turned a really
pukey green color and it got really still and quiet out and there was almost no
sound in the sky, there was no movement of the leaves and stuff like that. It
was almost eerily quiet - the air felt heavy and still. When we heard the
tornado had hit in Grafton, we went to check on Grandma and the damage was
unbelievable. When we went over to her house, the only room that was not
destroyed was the living room in her home. If she had been in bed at her usual
time, she would have been killed since the rest of the house had been destroyed.
The entire street was almost devastated. The storm had literally come right down
the street. Both Hickory and Willow Streets had heavy damage. We took Grandma
Boyd into our home to live with us until her house got rebuilt. Uncle Chuck
(Charles Senning) is the one who rebuilt her home. I remember walking up and
down the street to see the damage and it was unbelievable. I walked East on
Hickory Street and circled part of the way around and walked back to the house.
There weren't any fatalities at least in Grafton; the only fatality was in
Pittsfield where it hit the store on the corner of Rte. 303 and Rte. 58. For
years you could see the path through the trees that was left as a result of the
tornado hitting Pittsfield. The grain elevator in Grafton was also partially
destroyed."

According to Wikipedia it says the following about the Palm Sunday Tornadoes:
"The 1994 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak was the third notable tornado outbreak
that occurred on Palm Sunday, and the second to take place in the southeastern
United States. 40 people were killed in the outbreak and 491 were injured as 29
tornadoes struck Texas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina,
causing $140 million in damage.

Extensive damage to Pittsfield and Strongsville. Pittsfield was nearly entirely
destroyed and 6 homes were completely swept away there. Vehicles were thrown
hundreds of feet and mangled. The tornado then struck Grafton at F2 strength,
damaging homes and a car dealership [5] before re-intensifying and striking the
north side of Strongsville. In Strongsville 18 homes were leveled, some of which
were cleanly swept from their foundations. 50 others were badly damaged in town.
Damage amounts were estimated at $5 million. Was listed as an F5 according to
meteorologist Thomas Grazulis. Also witnessed as a double tornado."
This was the article that appeared in the Chronicle where Grandma Boyd expressed
her thanks for assistance given during the aftermath of the tornado.
Chronicle Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 1965 May 7
"I am my family would like to express our thanks to all the neighbors, Mr. &
Mrs. Cromwell, friends and the boys on Jerrol Ct. who came to our aid during the
tornado and are still helping.
Ernest Sperry rescued me from my home and now has had the misfortune of having
to be convalescing in the hospital.
I was able to save only very little furniture and no clothing, but I was lucky
not to be in my bedroom at the time, for that was completely destroyed. Always I
will be grateful to my friends, and I will be very happy when once again I can
be back with my neighbors on Hickory Street.
Mrs. Sophronia Boyd
1121 Hickory Street
Grafton"