44 years ago today: Killer tornado hit Vancouver

Perhaps the biggest natural disaster to hit Vancouver in the 20th century took place 44 years ago today, when a tornado suddenly formed near the intersection of Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Andresen Road.

In a period of a few minutes, it killed six people and collapsed two buildings, including Peter S. Ogden Elementary. Meteorologists say it was the deadliest tornado to strike west of the Rocky Mountains.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the disaster, The Columbian did a major retrospective in 2012. If you missed that coverage, or want to see it again, here are some links:

• An overall story about the storm
• Tornadoes are rare in the Pacific Northwest, but not unheard of
• One mother’s heroics
• The science behind the storm
• Columbian readers share their memories