A devastating F3 tornado struck Fort Worth on March 28, 2000, causing $450 million in property damage and claiming two lives. The tornado’s impact was felt across the city, with the downtown area being particularly hard hit. One of the most iconic buildings in the city, the Bank One Tower, was severely damaged, with about 90% of its 3,540 windows shattered.

Rebuilding and Rebirth

In the aftermath of the tornado, the city came together to rebuild and revitalize the affected areas. The story of this rebirth is chronicled in a new book, ‘Tornado at the Tower,’ written by Rob Smat. Smat, a filmmaker and author, was inspired by the stories of those who lived through the tornado and its aftermath. He interviewed survivors, including Jim Eagle, a real estate executive who was in the Bank One Tower when the tornado struck.

Eagle’s story is central to the book, which explores the challenges of rebuilding and revitalizing the downtown area. The book also features stories from other well-known figures in the city, including Rusty Reid, CEO and president of Higginbotham, and Carolyn Bauman Cruz, a senior staff photographer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the time of the tornado.

The book is not just a chronicle of the tornado’s destruction, but also a testament to the city’s resilience and determination. As Smat notes, ‘Everything in the story that is the most gripping, fantastic, interesting, unbelievable moments — those are the ones that truly happened.’ The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Fort Worth and the power of community in the face of adversity.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.