National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Southern Plains; Heat Continues in the West

Strong to severe thunderstorms may bring areas of excessive rainfall and flooding over parts of the southern Plains today through Friday. Hot to dangerously hot temperatures are forecast across portions of the Pacific Northwest and southern Great Basin today. Gusty winds, dry, and hot conditions will bring critical fire weather to parts of central Washington state today. Read More >

May 2, 1948
Counties: Clinton (to Wayne)
F-scale:  F4
Deaths:  5
Injuries:  60
Path width:  300 yards
Path length:  10 miles
Time:  7:00pm
Grazulis narrative:  Moved east-northeast, leveling homes near Alpha, Sumter, and Copper.  Three people were killed in a home near Alpha and two in a home near Sumter.  Most of the injuries were in a church that was torn apart and collapsed during evening services.