coey Sioux City, Lowa
August 20, 1958
Dr. Bernard Vonnegut
Arthur D. Little, Inc,
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
An article in the Sioux City, Iowa Sunday Journal of
July 12, 1958, the Associated Press Science Reporter - Alton Blakeslee
said that the theory that lightning causes tornadoes is being revived
and that you would appreciate hearing from observers. This storm
started near Moville, Iowa. My brother was watching an approaching
thunderstorm. He said there was a great bolt of lightning and imme-
diately the funnel dropped to the ground. It zig-zagged in its travel
coming within a block of their home and traveled along the river in a
North Easterly direction.
The debris you see at the foot of the funnel is the
first farm it touched near buildings and destroyed the small outbuildings.
There it then veered to the northwest to pick up an eight-room newly
constructed home placing it on top’of their great farm barn burning all.
This home had a full basement and to store their canned fruits they dug
a cave off the basement, and they hadn't placed the doors at the time.
The family of 6 or 7 crowded into that little niche. After the house was
lifted off the foundation these people came out of the cave with
faces and arms burned like a severe sunburn. They reported the excessive
heat while the storm was picking up the house.
One thing I personally remember was a sulphur or yellow
appearance in the sky - seemed to permeate the air, My husband and I
noticed the brightness and decided to see what sort of sunset we were having
and there hanging in the western sky was that horrifying funnel shortly
before it reached the place where this picture was taken. After
destroying the large farmhouse, the cloud just disintegrated. That
is as close as I care to see one,
Hope my report is of some use to you in your investigations
(Sgd.)
Mrs. Bertha Bauvia
3073 Myrtle Street
Sioux City, Iowa
