By THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
In 1987, extremely dangerous severe thunderstorms that moved southeast from Nebraska, invaded north-central Kansas shortly after midnight. Gusts around 100 mph tore through Waconda Lake, heavily damaging approximately 50 camping trailers and injuring 16 people at a state park campground. Beloit and Sylvan Grove were whiplashed by gusts of approximately 80 mph.
In 1918, lightning struck the wires connecting nine tons of dynamite that were readied for detonation at an open pit mine two miles west of Virginia, Minn. The resulting premature explosion caused the mine to collapse, trapping 20 men, 14 of whom were killed. The town is located 63 miles north northwest of Duluth.