Orma Remembers Armistice Day Storm, 1940

I remember the Armistice Day Storm, November 11, 1940. We lost several duck hunters that day. I was driving to Iron Creek, where I taught school. I always stopped on the way to pick up some of my schoolchildren.

They were so excited about the search parties going out into the bottoms looking for duck hunters.

The day started out warm and beautiful. Duck hunters and fishermen had gone out only with light jackets or wool shirts. The wind picked up as the barometer dropped. Temperatures fell below zero. The wind-whipped waves capsized many of the boats. Many hunters made it to islands, but could not be rescued until morning. Many died of exposure. No One was dressed for the subzero conditions.

~ Orma grew up in Nelson, Wisconsin

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