Columbus Day Storm survivor stories sought

Regional meteorologists are looking for people with a story to tell about the 1962 Columbus Day Storm.

The Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society will observe the storm’s 50th anniversary on Oct. 13 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland.

The chapter is especially interested in hearing from “a survivor or someone with a harrowing story to tell,” said Steve Pierce, a Vancouver weather blogger and chapter president.

The group also is interested in a technical meteorological presentation on how the storm formed and its track, including supporting data; a meteorologist or climatologist with a degree or AMS certification is preferred. The group also is seeking historic photos and videos of storm damage.

The Oct. 12, 1962, storm killed about 50 people — three in Vancouver — as it cut a swath from Northern California to Canada.

Information is at http://www.ametsoc.org/chapters/oregon.

The site also has information on a Nov. 17 meeting. The chapter is seeking people interested in making presentations at its Winter Weather Forecast Conference on Nov. 17 at OMSI.

Both events will be free and open to the public.