The commercial TV media beamed other images of this toppled water tower worldwide the day after the Spencer, SD tornado—pictures that instantly became vivid symbols of a small, aging prairie town virtually obliterated in the span of a couple minutes. Still, in the view behind the dramatic scene, there was some intriguing damage analysis and trajectory interpretation to be done. On the left (north) side of its pedestal, at right, lay a large, overturned metal tank; and under the tower’s crumpled legs uneasily rested a large sedan blown from elsewhere. Other vehicles (unseen) lay behind the tank. Part of the roof of the town’s fire station, on whose slab I was standing, landed on the pedestal. Damage analysis made it apparent that the tank, a large part of the structure of the fire station, and at least 2 or 3 vehicles battered the legs of the tower, undercutting them. The tower, its supports weakened and pushed against the tank, “tripped” over the tank and fell toward the NNW. Finally, note the salvaged bottles of booze at the bottom, on the slab. The tornado did not put those there. Educated guess: they were consumed in short order.
Spencer SD (31 May 98) Looking ENE
43.7256, -97.5929