Weather History for Wednesday, April 21, from the National Weather Service in Wichita:
In 2001, at 9:15 p.m., an F4 tornado struck Hoisington.
The initial touchdown occurred 1 mile southwest of Hoisington. The tornado rapidly reached F3 intensity as it entered the west side of town. Moving northeast at 20 mph, it strengthened to an F4 in 2 to 3 minutes.
While crossing northwest Hoisington, the tornado carved a two-mile-long, two-block-wide path of almost complete destruction. There was one fatality and 28 injuries. The tornado destroyed 182 homes, 12 businesses and tore a roof off the hospital. It also severed power to much of the region.
As the tornado exited the north side of town, it weakened rapidly, causing F1 to F2 damage as it approached Deception Creek three miles northeast of town. After crossing the creek, it suddenly turned toward the northwest where it damaged two farmsteads shortly before dissipating.