On This Day: May 17
Tornado Talk Summary
When we think of Jarrell, TX and tornadoes, we immediately remember the devastating F5 from May 27, 1997. But 8 years earlier, the town was hit hard by an F3 in the middle of the night. It developed at 3:02 Local Time about 3 miles SSW of Jarrell near Strickland Grove. It moved slowly NNE causing tremendous damage on the south and east side of town. A woman was killed when her mobile home was destroyed. Read the full summary here!
SIGTOR Spotlight
Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!
May 17, 1773: Grazulis documents a tornado or microburst that destroyed two barns at Durham, NH. An old saw mill was demolished near Kittery, ME. “Trees were uprooted and a boat overturned. One man on the boat was drowned.”
Twister From The 2000s
On this day in 2019, a brief but intense tornado touched down near Stockville, NE. The EF3 tornado debarked trees and leveled several buildings along a 2-mile path. Source.
Weather Rewind
Tornado and Other Weather Events From On This Day
On this day in 1896: An estimated F5 tornado tracked 100 miles through northeastern Kansas and extreme southeastern Nebraska. Seneca, Oneida, Sabetha, and Reserve, Kansas sustained severe damage. While passing through Reserve, the tornado was 2 miles wide. 25 people were killed, and 200 were injured. Source.
Pieces of the Past
A Look Back Through The Ages! On This Day In History!
Historical Event
On this day in 2004: Massachusetts becomes the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. Check out more historical events at onthisday.com!
Famous Birthday
Sugar Ray Leonard was born on May 17, 1956, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He is a boxer, known for his agility and finesse, who won 36 of 40 professional matches and various titles. As an amateur, he took an Olympic gold medal in the light-welterweight class at the 1976 Games in Montreal. Source: Britannica.
Film & TV
On this day in 1970: Anonymous buyer purchases one of the pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” for $15,000 at MGM Studio auction, and donates them to the Smithsonian Institute. Get more daily history at onthisday.com!
Music Trivia
On this day in 1987: A fire destroyed Tom Petty’s house in Los Angeles, the cost was estimated at $800,000. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com!
Radar of the Day
