Twister! (1970) On May 11, 1970, a F-5 tornado struck the highly populated downtown area of Lubbock. Produced by the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, this government film recreates the events of that evening to show the importance of municipal emergency planning and response. All major city officials, including Civil Defense Director Bill Payne, Fire Chief Herschel Sharp, and Chief of Police J.T. Alley, participate.