The May 4, 2003 tornado

A classic supercell thunderstorm moved out of southern Labette County, Kansas and into southwest Cherokee County, Kansas. Intermittent, brief tornado touch downs were observed from storm spotters in rural sections of southeast Labette County, however, the storm eventually produced a long lived tornado that initially touched down north of Melrose. This feature then progressed through rural areas of central and east central Cherokee County. This large and destructive tornado is accountable for 19 injuries and three fatalities, before moving into Jasper County, Missouri. Julie Green age 50, was eating supper in her home a few miles southeast of Columbus when the tornado struck. She was thrown about one quarter of a mile southeast of the home in a field where she deceased.Charles Ross Jr. age 80 and Phyllis Ross age 73, lived in a frame home about five miles east of Crestline near the Kansas-Missouri state line. After deciding not to leave their home to seek shelter away from the path of the tornado, the tornado struck their location. The couple were deceased from flying debris.