March 13, 1990 marks a significant day in history when a series of tornadoes devastated the traditional Plains region known as “Tornado Alley.” A total of 59 tornadoes swept through areas in north Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and western Illinois, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
One of the most notable events of this outbreak was the occurrence of an F5 tornado that struck Hesston, Kansas, located approximately 30 miles north-northwest of Wichita. This powerful tornado, spanning up to three-quarters of a mile in width, initially touched down near Pretty Prairie, Kansas before causing tragic damage in Hesston. The tornado claimed the life of a six-year-old boy in Burrton and injured 59 others while damaging or destroying 226 homes and 21 businesses in Hesston.
The same storm system also produced a second tornado north of Hesston, which eventually merged with the original tornado to cause additional F5 damage in Marion County. This deadly combination resulted in another fatality near the town of Goessel. These two F5 tornadoes are among the rarest occurrences in Kansas, with this early spring outbreak being the earliest of its kind in the state’s recorded history.
In addition to the devastation in Kansas, other violent tornadoes struck during this outbreak, including an F4 tornado in Dubuque County, Iowa, and an F4 tornado in Nebraska with a record path length of 124 miles. Despite the extensive damage caused by these tornadoes, only a few injuries were reported.
Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist with weather.com, has been reporting on extreme weather events for over two decades. His expertise in covering national and international weather phenomena makes him a valuable resource for weather-related information. Connect with him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook for the latest updates on weather trends and happenings.
