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Monson Tornado-Five Years Ago; Ten Original Photos [click on Tracking the Light to see all images]

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See: http://briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/

It was five years ago today—June 1, 2011—when extremely unusual weather conditions produced a tornado that swept through Monson, Massachusetts and surrounding towns.

I’d just returned from Dublin a few days earlier.

I made a few photographs of the storm from my window on Moulton Hill Road. I only glimpsed the funnel for a few moments and the passage of the storm was remarkably quick.

Funnel cloud Monson, 4:55 pm June 1, 2011. Photograph by Brian Solomon with Lumix LX3 digital camera.
Funnel cloud Monson, 4:55 pm June 1, 2011. Photograph by Brian Solomon with Lumix LX3 digital camera.
Tornadic sky, Monson, Massachusetts shortly before 5pm on June 1, 2011. Lumix LX3 photo.
Tornadic sky, Monson, Massachusetts shortly before 5pm on June 1, 2011. Lumix LX3 photo.

Fortunately for us the funnel missed Moulton Hill by about 2 miles. Many others were not so lucky.

On June 3, 2011, I ventured into the village and made photographed evidence of the most extreme damage.

National Guard patrols Main Street Monson on June 3, 2011.
National Guard patrols Main Street Monson on June 3, 2011.

Dozens of buildings in town were destroyed and many thousands of trees were ruined. The event made national and international news.

These photographs are intended as a document of the event and its aftermath as I witnessed it and do not represent an interpretation of the storm nor complete record of its destruction.

First Church, Monson on June 3, 2011.
First Church, Monson on June 3, 2011.
First Church, Monson on June 3, 2011.
First Church, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Destruction on Washington Street, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Destruction on Washington Street, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Ruined buildings on Washington Street, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Ruined buildings on Washington Street, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Tornado damage, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Tornado damage, Monson on June 3, 2011.
Monson on June 3, 2011.
Monson on June 3, 2011.
Tornado damage in Monson as seen on June 3, 2011.
Tornado damage in Monson as seen on June 3, 2011.

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