A 40 Year Anniversary of Area Tornadoes

Today is the 40th anniversary of a deadly outbreak of tornadoes around the lakes area.

K-Lakes Meteorologist Tony Schumacher says a dozen twisters were reported on this date in 1969. One touched down near Pine River, injuring 150 as it plowed its way through Backus.

An even stronger tornado touched down in northwestern Crow Wing County near Stewart Lake. It was rated as an F-4, generating winds in excess of 200 miles per hour. On the ground for 30 miles, it killed 11 people on the shores of Roosevelt Lake. Another died on Reservoir Lake between Outing and Hill City.

There were 70 injuries from the storm, including 40 children who were camping on Roosevelt Lake. In all, there was $2 million worth of damage.