Jim Minick

Published December 13, 2023 at 4:24 PM EST

A photograph titled "Udall was 98% Leveled" showing tornado destruction.

Noted Appalachian writer Jim Minick turns his attention to the Midwest and chronicles the near destruction of Udall, Kansas, which was struck by a tornado on May 25, 1955. Minick’s 2023 book is called Without Warning. Its title reflects the fact that the town’s residents were given no advance notice by the weather bureau that a tornado was approaching. Over 80 people were killed, and nearly 200 buildings were destroyed or damaged.