The May 4, 2003 tornado
F4Crawford and Barton counties, Kansas and Missouri
An F4 tornado on a 33.0-mile path that killed 4 and injured 30. It was one of 81 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 12 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 4, 2003: 81 tornadoes in 9 statesF4 tornado · May 4, 2003
How it happened
Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.
The tornado
- Rating
- F4
- Fujita scale
- Path length
- 33.0 mi
- Width up to 880 yards
- Killed
- 4
- Along the whole path
- Injured
- 30
- Along the whole path
- Date and time
- Sunday, May 4, 2003
- 3:35 PM CST
The National Weather Service account
Written by the local Weather Service office after its damage survey.
The storm system that day
This storm is known to have initiated the unforgettable series of events of 4 May, 2003. This classic supercell rapidly developed over Montgomery County, Kansas, eventually moving into southwestern Crawford County, Kansas where it spawned a very large and destructive tornado. This tornado laid out a path of destruction for 27 miles of farm land and small communities through Crawford County. This event also claimed three lives and injured 20 in eastern sections of the county, where the tornado had strengthened to F-4 status. The tornado continued on the ground into Barton County, Missouri.Sharon Lasbrook age 48, was deceased from being thrown out of her mobile home and into a field. Her home was completely disintegrated by the twister.George Bolte age 68, was taking cover in his manufactured home and laying over his wife to protect her from flying debris. While saving her life, he was deceased from the debris.Josephine Maghe age 87, was taking cover within her frame home as the tornado arrived. She was deceased from being struck into the ground.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.
Counties on its path
Other notable tornadoes that day
- F4, Wyandotte County2 killed
- F4, Clay County5 mi
- F3, Barton County5 killed
- F3, Cherokee County5 killed
- F3, Newton County7 killed
- F4, Madison County11 killed
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.