Tornado at the Tower

The first skyscraper ever struck by a tornado.On March 28, 2000, an unprecedented F-3 tornado rampages across Fort Worth, slamming into the Bank One skyscraper and turning a landmark of “Cowtown” into a gutted shell that locals soon nickname the birdhouse. As glass rains hundreds of feet onto the streets and neighborhoods are reduced to splinters, half-a-million Texans experience a titular moment they will never forget.At the center of the storm’s aftermath is Jim Eagle, a commercial real estate pro, whose life is turned upside down. After surviving the storm and losing his home within moments of each other, he's tasked with shepherding the tenants of the skyscraper, navigating furious lawyers, skeptical insurers, and building ownership.As months stretch into a grueling year of negotiations, lawsuits, and stalled construction, Fort Worth's downtown centerpiece becomes a battleground where small‑town trust and handshake deals collide with corporate risk and dirty politics. Jim must decide how much of himself he’s willing to sacrifice to keep the tower—and his reputation—standing, even as his marriage, his health, and his bond with his son strain under the weight of a disaster that refuses to end.Anchored in meticulous research, oral histories, and interviews with survivors, Tornado at the Tower is a cinematic, character‑driven “based on a true story” novel that turns a regional weather event into an epic tale of determination, resilience, and integrity."A made-for-TV drama...about the first skyscraper to encounter a twister." -Matt Houston, WFAA"A human element...stretches hours before the event and into the months that followed." -Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Read more