It claimed the lives of 20 people in Blackwell and injured over 200 before crossing into and dissipating over Sumner County, Kansas.

Along with destroying nearly 200 homes,[6] the tornado also demolished the town's main employers including the Acme Foundry and the Hazel Atlas Glass plant.

Numerous homes and businesses were destroyed, many of which were swept away, including a 30-by-40 foot concrete block building that was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare of any debris.

Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck that was wrapped around a tree and stripped of everything but its frame and tires.

Ambulances and automobiles of all kinds rushed the growing numbers of injured to hospitals in three neighboring towns.

Another deadly tornado occurred south of Woodward and at Cheyenne in Roger Mills County in southwestern Oklahoma, killing two people.

While the storm spared the set, it devastated the nearby town of Udall and the film crew drove their trucks and equipment there to help clean up the damage.

Actress Rosalind Russell, one of the stars of the film, agreed to appear during a baseball game in Wichita to cast the opening pitch and make a plea for funds to help the tornado victims.