Peggy Kunkel carries a photo album she found that she believes belongs to one of her neighbors as Mapleton, Iowa, residents begin clean-up efforts Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a tornado devastated part of the town Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Jim Lee)

Dear Tom,

My hometown of Mapleton, Iowa was hit by a
major tornado late week. I remember another twister striking there
when I was a school girl. I think it was in the spring of 1938 or 39.
Can you help with some details?

Bette E. Stone De Kalb

Dear Bette,

Your memories are correct. It was on April
27,1938 that an F-2 twister struck in western Iowa near Mapleton. The
storm injured two as it destroyed a barn along with several other rural
buildings. Damage in the area was estimated at $4000. Last week’s
Mapleton tornado which hit
on April 9 was a far more serious affair.  The twister’s maximum
intensity was rated EF-3 with top winds around 140 mph and it carved
out a damage path about 3.5 miles long and three-quarters of a mile
wide. Twelve to fourteen people sustained injuries from the storm,but
fortunately there were no fatalities.