It was 30 years ago today that the largest outbreak of tornadoes struck Indiana. 37 in all and 50 touchdowns.
The most devastating one was in Petersburg at 8:30 on that Saturday night June 2nd 1990. 7 people died in, or as a result of the F4 twister. It entered Pike County west of the community of Union and ripped through a home killing an older couple that as this reporter remembers had just gone to bed. It went by Hornady Park where a music festival was taking place and tore trees from the park and destroyed vehicles and campers parked around the 4H building. About 50 to 60 people were inside the small block building including this reporter, clinging to what ever they could. Miraculously no one at the festival was hurt.
The tornado traveled almost directly down Pike Avenue. It severely damaged a nursing home, crossed state road 57 and leveled a gas station. It also severely damaged the Petersburg Moose Lodge then located where German American Bank is now. A wedding reception was happening and those attending helped with the dazed and injured there. The tornado then went through a residential area next to downtown and destroyed nearly 200 homes including the home of then Mayor Jack Kinman. It also took out 19 businesses and the Petersburg Elementary School.
Today at Noon at the Pike County Courthouse, Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klispch will lay a wreath at the monument bearing the names of those who died. That will be followed by a moment of silence. The public is welcome.