Extended Channel 3 News Feature (commercials included) (23min)
“WKZO-TV (Channel 3) of Kalamazoo will carry a special 30-minute report at 6 p.m. today, ‘May 13—The Tragedy and the Aftermath.’ Jim Roberts, anchorman for WKZO’s nightly local news show, will narrate the show.”

- Kalamazoo Gazette Announcement, May 18, 1980

Additional News Footage (4min)
WKZO-TV (Channel 3)

Unedited Storm Chase (2min)
WKZO-TV (Channel 3)

Unedited Footage from News Chopper (10min)
WKZO-TV (Channel 3)



Captured on Video (4min)
The Sound Room, Inc., was once located at 469 West Michigan Avenue. On the afternoon of May 13, 1980, employee Ted Ruble stood outside the shop capturing the darkening afternoon sky and the first glimpses of an ominous funnel cloud descending upon downtown Kalamazoo. This footage, using an RCA color video camera and attendant recorder, is believed to be the first amateur color VHS video recording of a deadly tornado in the United States.

Video courtesy and copyright © 1980 Ted Ruble

Independent Video (13min)
Additional Footage by amateur videographer Ted Ruble.

Video courtesy and copyright © 1980 Ted Ruble