Opportunities in Tornadoes

Parkersburg, IA, reeling from a recent tornado that devastated the town, could look to nearby Charles City for a silver lining.

1 minute read

June 2, 2008, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"Iowans who helped plan the rebuilding of Charles City after a deadly tornado there 40 years ago have some advice for their neighbors in the next county south: As unlikely as the thought seems amid the raw pain of today, look at this as an opportunity for your city.

Charles City, which had nearly 10,000 people as of the 1960 census, was considerably bigger than Parkersburg's population of 1,900. But the death toll and damage from tornadoes that descended May 15, 1968, were greater, too. Seventeen people died across northeast Iowa, including 13 in Charles City; 600 people were injured; and 372 homes and 58 businesses were destroyed. The twister cut right through the central business district.

So that's where city leaders put much of their focus. It had needed work anyway. Even before the storm, water and sewer pipes were badly deteriorated, said John Culbertson, who served on the Planning and Zoning Commission at the time. Rebuilding offered the opportunity to shore up the city's basic infrastructure while also sketching more grandiose plans to make the business district work better for shoppers, walkers and drivers."

Sunday, June 1, 2008 in Des Moines Register

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities