This Week in Odessa History

As May turned into June 59 years ago, the outlook was bright for a good wheat crop.

Up to this time, the weather had been ideal for growing. In some ways, it is a parallel to the situation being experienced by wheat farmers in 1996 – when a storm struck the Odessa region, reversing the good fortunes that year for some.

The Record had this report in its issue of June 6, 1957:

A terrific thunder and lightning storm, with torrential rains and hail, hit this area on Saturday night. Damage from hail was scattered, but complete.

Torrents of water sent flood streams through coulees. One of these, at...