WCCO AM radio Minneapolis Tornado outbreak coverage May 6, 1965

Experience the historic WCCO-AM 830 radio coverage
of the May 6, 1965 Twin Cities Tornado Outbreak,
Minnesota’s deadliest storm event.
On that evening, six tornadoes—four F4s, one F3, one F2—
struck Fridley, Mounds View, Spring Lake Park,
and Lake Minnetonka, killing 13 and injuring over 500.
The storms caused $51 million in damage
(~$482 million in 2025 dollars).
From 7:10 p.m. to 12:12 a.m., broadcasters
Dick Chapman, Charlie Boone, and Chuck Lilligren
delivered life-saving real-time warnings.
Using listener calls and primitive radar,
they tracked funnels as callers reported debris,
hail, and devastation across the region.
WCCO’s 50,000-watt signal reached millions,
saving countless lives.
This Peabody Award-winning broadcast,
preserved in over 5 hours,
set the standard for severe weather reporting.
A must-watch for weather enthusiasts,
history buffs, and radio fans! 🎙️🌪️

🔗 Explore more & hear original audio:
https://www.radiotapes.com/WCCO-1965.html

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