#DaytonStronger: Rainbows mark anniversary of tornado outbreak

The city of Dayton is urging residents to display a rainbow in a window as a sign of the city’s resiliency and spirit to mark the first anniversary of the Memorial Day tornado outbreak.

On May 27, 2019, an EF-4 tornado damaged more than 1,000 homes and businesses in Dayton. It was one of 15 tornadoes to touch down across the region.

>> Memorial Day tornadoes: Views from above of Old North Dayton before storm, after storm and today

The city created the rainbow initiative because the coronavirus pandemic curtailed plans to host a commemorative event, the city announced on social media.

The rainbow can be displayed between Saturday, May 23, and Wednesday, May 27.

Beginning Sunday, the Dayton Daily News will carry four days of storm anniversary coverage in print and online. Reporters Chris Stewart and Josh Sweigart, who walked the path of the most devastating tornado last year, have checked again on the pace of recovery and the issues still facing survivors and local jurisdictions. As part of this special reporting project, the Dayton Daily News will print a rainbow in the newspaper that readers can hang in their windows.

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