On This Day: May 3
Tornado Talk Summary
Per the Storm Prediction Center Database, 71 tornadoes occurred on May 3, 1999. 58 of these in the state of Oklahoma. The most violent was the 9th of 14 tornadoes produced by a supercell thunderstorm during this outbreak. That supercell produced those tornadoes over a 3.5 hour period. The Bridge Creek-Moore F5 tornado traveled 38 miles through parts of Grady, McClain, Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties. The max width was 1 mile. There were 583 injuries and 36 fatalities associated with this devastating tornado. The first “Tornado Emergency” was issued by the NWS Norman office during this event. Read the full summary here!
SIGTOR Spotlight
Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!
May 3, 1948: An F3 tornado moved 7 miles through parts of Collin County, TX. It moved through portions of McKinney. “The swath through the south side of that town was 600 yards wide and two miles long.” 600 buildings were heavily damaged. “The most spectacular damage was at the textile mills, where the upper floors were either sheared off or collapsed, exposing the interior to rain. Damage at the mills totaled near $1,000,000.” Three were killed in residential areas.
Twister From The 2000s
On this day in 2021, an EF2 tornado caused heavy damage near Waxahachie, TX. A communications tower was destroyed, and several homes were damaged. Eight people were injured. Source.
Weather Rewind
Tornado and Other Weather Events From On This Day
On this day in 1907, the low temperature in Watertown, SD, fell to 16 degrees. The coldest ever recorded in May. Source.
Pieces of the Past
A Look Back Through The Ages! On This Day In History!
Historical Event
On this day in 1947: Japan’s post-war constitution goes into effect, granting universal suffrage, stripping Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power and outlawing Japan’s right to make war. Check out more historical events at onthisday.com!
Famous Birthday
Bing Crosby was born May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington. He was a singer, actor, and songwriter who achieved great popularity in radio, recordings, and motion pictures. He became the archetypal crooner of a period when the advent of radio broadcasting and talking pictures and the refinement of sound-recording techniques made the climate ideal for the rise of such a figure. His casual stage manner and mellow, relaxed singing style influenced two generations of pop singers and made him the most successful entertainer of his day. Source: Britannica.
Film & TV
On this day in 1948: 1st broadcast of “CBS Evening News” – longest running network news show in the US. Get more daily history at onthisday.com!
Music Trivia
On this day in 2008: Rap star Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was honoured with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. The 38-year-old dedicated the star to his father, who was shot dead in 1972. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com!
Photo of the Day
