The 1970 Lubbock Tornado Memorial at Lubbock National Bank Park

The time was 9:46 PM. Lubbock, TX momentarily stopped. In the tumultuous seconds that followed, the City would experience such calamity that it would alter its course forward and leave an everlasting impression. 51 years later, out of the chaos rises a peaceful place. A place of remembrance and reflection. A place to mourn those lost to the storm and to ponder on all that has been gained in the decades since.

The 1970 Lubbock Tornado Memorial at Lubbock National Bank Park

Dedication to be held on May 11, 2021 at 11 AM

Please join in watching the dedication via Facebook Live hosted on the City of Lubbock Facebook page.

About the Memorial
The 1970 Lubbock Tornado Memorial at Lubbock National Bank Park (the Park) was designed by Architect Stephen Faulk, of MWM Architects, Inc., and is a 3D artistic representation of Dr. Ted Fujita’s historic map of the events of May 11, 1970 (see below). Two 18-ft black granite paneled walls twist and wind through the Park, following the paths of the two tornadoes on Fujita’s map. The ground of the Memorial is a map of the Lubbock city streets, which the walls traverse. A fountain is located on the north side to provide a peacefulness and a place for reflection. Four artistic lamp posts encompass the walls and represent the various emotions felt the night of the tornado. Trees are planted throughout the Park, not only to provide beauty to this green space, but also to act as a barrier between the Park and the street. Benches throughout the Park will provide a place of rest, and finally, a school roundabout has been built into the east side of the Park for school children to safely stop on their way to visit Buddy Holly Hall or more attractions in downtown. At the east end of the Memorial stands a lone, broken utility pole...actual wreckage from that night.

The Walls
The longer of the two walls is the F5 tornado that started near Texas Tech University and ended just past the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport. The walls are set upon the grid of Lubbock’s streets, and as you follow along the F5 wall, you can read notations of events that were happening at each point along the tornado’s treacherous path. Also on this wall, you will find an inscription detailing each of the cruel impacts dealt that night from the loss of homes and businesses to those who were injured and finally, the most dreadful of all...the 26 souls taken. Quotes and recollections of the survivors take you through the confusion, fright and heartache of that night, and as you approach the end of the F5 wall, the final words of a tiny angel hero are written, “Is everybody OK?” The words of the young girl who sacrificed her life to save her sisters would be echoed by many throughout Lubbock that night.

Just like the coming of daylight after that fateful night, you move to the words of the second wall and are immediately uplifted. The first inscription on this wall speaks to how Lubbockites leapt into action, just moments after the tornado disappeared, to provide comfort, medical attention and a general helping hand. You will learn how then President Nixon was so impressed by the efforts of the citizens of Lubbock to restore and rebuild their community that he said it “should give encouragement to every city and town in America.” As you continue down this second wall, you will discover the great efforts and extraordinary commitment made to rebuilding and revitalizing the City.

Each day, we get a little farther from the moments of May 11th, but for many in this City, that night is still as clear in their minds and hearts as if it were yesterday. We also continue to learn more with each step we take into the future, so that coming generations may never experience the terror and grief of the 1970 generation.

For more information on the events of May 11, 1970, please visit:

NWS Lubbock StoryMap on the F5 Tornado at: https://arcg.is/1evbCD
NWS Lubbock Event Page at: https://www.weather.gov/lub/events-1970-19700511

Additional Pictures of the Memorial can be found below: