This Day in Weather History ~ May 15th: Tornadoes Across The States
An F5 tornado in Kansas, giant hailstones in Nebraska and Iowa's most destructive storm of the 20th Century. The 15th of May is a busy historical day.
On May 15th, 1951, a violent F5 tornado hit the city of Great Bend, Kansas, causing extensive destruction and claiming numerous lives. Winds were estimated at 300 mph, with 16 people killed and more than 500 injured.
In 1976, a severe hailstorm battered Omaha, Nebraska, with hailstones reaching sizes as large as tennis balls, causing substantial damage to buildings, vehicles, and crops.
May 15th, 1987, saw a devastating outbreak of tornadoes in the central United States. There were 147 tornadoes across 13 states, killing 39 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. This outbreak included a powerful tornado that struck the town of Saragosa, Texas, resulting in 27 fatalities and widespread destruction.
In 2008, a destructive tornado outbreak occurred across parts of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. On May 15th, multiple tornadoes touched down, causing significant damage and posing a threat to several communities in the region.
On May 15th 1968, Iowa suffered its most destructive tornado of the 20th century at Charles City, with $30 million worth of damage, 462 injuries and 13 fatalities.
