The 1967 Belvidere Tornado

by Mike Doyle

On April 21, 1967, a killer tornado struck the northern Illinois community of Belvidere and, in a matter of minutes, left a 10-mile swath through commerical, manufacturing, residential and school areas. When it was over, 24 people -- including 17 children -- were dead, more than 500 were injured, more than 100 homes and 12 businesses were damaged. The total cost of damage was estimated at