June 23 marks the 50th anniversary of a major tornado outbreak in southwest Kansas. On that date in 1967 an intense thunderstorm, associated with a micro-low, moved from north of Lakin on an east to southeasterly path. It crossed through the northeastern parts of Garden City at approximately 7:45 pm. Numerous funnels were sited along the path. According to the STORM DATA publication for June of 1967, there were at least 6 funnels seen in the Garden City area. About 125 homes were destroyed and more than 400 others were damaged, with property losses exceeding 11 million dollars. Sadly, there was one fatality reported with the event, and 30 injuries.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu