The Aftermath

The response to the disaster began as soon as the tornado winds abated. People climbed out of their basements and checked on their family members and neighbors.

Hospitals began receiving a steady influx of injured. From the hardest hit areas of Hudsonville, the injured were brought to the house of a local doctor named Hagar and were quickly examined and sent off to various hospitals from there depending on the extent of their injuries. Despite many serious injuries, only one fatality was recorded after April 3rd, a testament to the prompt care given to many of the injured.

The large scale recovery efforts also began that night. The search for the victims continued through the night and into the next morning. The National Guard was activated immediately after the tornado moved through. Civil defense, Red Cross and Salvation Army efforts began that night and would continue for many days as the recovery and rebuilding process began.

Along the path of the tornadoes, people began to rebuild. The debris, which used to be homes and buildings, but was now reduced to kindling scattered across the countryside, was gathered up and burned. Homes and farms were repaired and rebuilt.

Even the devastation that was the business district of Standale was cleaned up and construction began almost immediately. The job was monumental and roadblocks were maintained to prevent traffic jams in the affected areas. Only residents and construction crews were allowed to move through. Special passes, signed by the sheriff, were required to enter the hard hit areas where the bulk of the rebuilding occurred. Traffic jams of sightseers often resulted as soon as roads were opened to traffic.

As spring turned into summer, the rebuilding progressed, the injured healed, and the shock of the storms slowly wore off. But the landscape, and dozens of people’s lives, had been deeply scarred and in some cases shattered.

Fifty years later, many people still have vivid memories of the event and still feel uneasy when the storm clouds build and the sky grows dark.

What If?

Inevitably, the question must be asked: What if a storm like this were to happen today? The answer is not one that is pleasant to think about, but we must.

Are we prepared? Although the awareness to the threat of severe weather and the presence of early warning systems are much improved since 1956, this is at least partially offset by the increase in population density. Many areas that were open farmland or woods have been converted to residential areas and commercial districts. The increase in population makes it even more important to get the best use out of modern technology to minimize the threat posed by severe weather, and specifically, by strong tornadoes.

Although they are relatively rare in Michigan, strong tornadoes like those of April 3, 1956 can and will occur. The best way to be prepared is to know how to get the warnings and what to do when the warning is issued.

Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Have a plan that includes the safest place in your home to go to when a tornado warning is issued and practice the plan. Also know the tornado safety rules (5.7 Mbyte PDF) to follow if you are caught outside or in your car when a tornado is approaching.

Taking time to learn this information can save your life, when the inevitable happens again.

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