40th Anniversary Commemoration of the Xenia Tornado
Thursday, April 3 at 4:15 p.m. • Xenia Library
On the 40th anniversary of the Xenia Tornado of 1974, commemorate the victims and recognize the resiliency of our community. The City of Xenia, the Greene County Historical Society, and the library are conducting a commemoration ceremony on April 3rd at 4:15 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Tornado Memorial in front of Xenia City Hall in the first floor meeting room of the Xenia Library. A reception will immediately follow the event.
Photo Exhibit
In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, stop in at the Xenia library during normal operating hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday to see a photo exhibit provided by the Greene County Historical Society. You can also preview the photo exhibit below.
Xenia Library Events
The community is hosting a variety of events related to the tornado, severe weather, and emergency preparedness.
Emergency Preparedness
Saturday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Doug Cope, XFD
April 3rd, 1974: Then and Now
Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Catherine Wilson, Greene County Historical Society
National Guard Relief Efforts in Xenia – CANCELED
Thursday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Presented by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard
Screening of Superoutbreak 1974: A&E Documentary Film
Saturday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m.
The Van Wert Tornado of 2002
Tuesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m.
A shared experience from another Ohio city struck during the first major outbreak of the 21st century.
Presented by Rick McCoy, Van Wert EMA
The Xenia Tornado of April 3, 1974
Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Mary Kay Mabe, local historian
Tornadoes and the April 3, 1974 Xenia Event
Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Jamie Simpson, WHIO meteorologist
Looking Back: Rescue and Recovery Efforts at Greene Memorial Hospital
Thursday, April 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Presented by Herman Menapace
Paying it Forward: Xenia 4 Moore, Oklahoma
Thursday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Xenians unite to assist adoptive families in Moore.
Presented by Debby Stephens
2 Responses to “Xenia Lives Remembrance”
Kevin Molli
As a member in the Ohio Civil Air Patrol Land Resue Team out of Akron, we got the call that evening. I was in Xenia the next morning. We were helping with communications and doing anything requested of us.
I remember seeing a single wall of the high school standing and rows and rows of land where homes once stood.
Mostly I remember an old gentleman who came up to me saying that he lost everything. I could only hug him and tell him he was still alive, as he cried on my shoulder. I was only 16 years old then and I still feel that moment.
Congratulations on recovering.
Paul Gregor
Thank you for your service in helping our community Kevin