Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for April 17, in any year, each linked to its full record.
Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.
By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Champaign, Vermilion, Warren counties, Illinois and tracked 30.1 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 13 and injuring 40. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: IL to Hedrick, IN.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Hale, Floyd, Swisher counties, Texas and tracked 96.6 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 51.
Billion-dollar disasters
A flooding disaster that cost $3.6 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 8, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from April 17, 2016 to April 18, 2016.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in LeFlore County, Oklahoma and tracked 6.6 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 4. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Bokoshe, OK.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Madison, Delaware, Blackford counties, Indiana and tracked 20.4 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Madison, IN.
Volcanoes
Merapi, Indonesia erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 170 people.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Kankakee, Newton, Jasper counties, Illinois and tracked 57.3 miles, 130 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 70.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Parmer, Randall, Armstrong counties, Texas and tracked 130 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 13.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Cochran, Hockley counties, Texas and tracked 30 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, injuring 24.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Grant, Kay, Sumner counties, Oklahoma and tracked 25.2 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest, injuring 12. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Deer Creek, OK to W Geuda Springs, KS.
Tornadoes
An F4 tornado touched down in Caddo County, Oklahoma and tracked 32.9 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest, injuring 6.
102 on April 17, oldest first.
An F4 tornado touched down in Knox, Yankton, Hutchinson counties, Nebraska and tracked 29.8 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Yankton/Olivet, SD.
An F2 tornado touched down in Robeson County, North Carolina and tracked 15.6 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: W Lumberton, NC.
An F4 tornado touched down in Grant, Kay, Sumner counties, Oklahoma and tracked 25.2 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest, injuring 12. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Deer Creek, OK to W Geuda Springs, KS.
An F3 tornado touched down in Grady County, Oklahoma and tracked 10.2 miles, killing 1 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Chickasha, OK.
An F1 tornado touched down in Forrest County, Mississippi and 30 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 20. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Hattiesburg, MS.
An F3 tornado touched down in Creek County, Oklahoma and tracked 6.1 miles, 1,500 yards wide at its widest, injuring 8. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Slick, OK.
An F4 tornado touched down in Champaign, Vermilion, Warren counties, Illinois and tracked 30.1 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 13 and injuring 40. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: IL to Hedrick, IN.
An F4 tornado touched down in Madison, Delaware, Blackford counties, Indiana and tracked 20.4 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Madison, IN.
An F3 tornado touched down in Effingham, Jasper, Clark counties, Illinois and tracked 54.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Rose Hill, IL.
An F3 tornado touched down in Sullivan County, Indiana and tracked 2.1 miles, 70 yards wide at its widest, injuring 2. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SE Shelburn, IN.
An F2 tornado touched down in Newton County, Indiana and 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 2. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NE Brook, IN.
An F2 tornado touched down in Warren County, Indiana and tracked 5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 3. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SW Williamsport, IN.
An F4 tornado touched down in LeFlore County, Oklahoma and tracked 6.6 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 4. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Bokoshe, OK.
An F2 tornado touched down in Hood County, Texas and 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 1. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SE Granbury, TX.
An F3 tornado touched down in Greene County, Alabama and tracked 1.8 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 2. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Boligee, AL.
An F2 tornado touched down in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana and tracked 7.3 miles, 50 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 3. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Houma/Ashland, LA.
An F3 tornado touched down in Poweshiek, Iowa counties, Iowa and tracked 15.4 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, injuring 5. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SW Victor to S Marengo, IA.
An F1 tornado touched down in Linn, Jones counties, Iowa and tracked 11.2 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Springville/Martelle/Anamosa, IA.
An F4 tornado touched down in Kankakee, Newton, Jasper counties, Illinois and tracked 57.3 miles, 130 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 70.
An F3 tornado touched down in Monroe County, Michigan and tracked 0.5 miles, 67 yards wide at its widest, injuring 1.
An F1 tornado touched down in Branch County, Michigan and tracked 1 miles, 10 yards wide at its widest, killing 1.
An F2 tornado touched down in Harris County, Texas and tracked 21.9 miles, 27 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 2.
An F4 tornado touched down in Hale, Floyd, Swisher counties, Texas and tracked 96.6 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 51.
An F4 tornado touched down in Parmer, Randall, Armstrong counties, Texas and tracked 130 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 13.
An F4 tornado touched down in Cochran, Hockley counties, Texas and tracked 30 miles, 880 yards wide at its widest, injuring 24.
An F3 tornado touched down in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana and tracked 0.5 miles, 10 yards wide at its widest, injuring 1.
An F3 tornado touched down in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana and tracked 0.5 miles, 10 yards wide at its widest.
On 17 April 1973, an extremely deadly and devastating tornado moved through areas southwest of Dhaka in Faridpur District, located in Bangladesh. The tornado was the third-deadliest in world history, killing an estimated 681 to 1,000 people; 1,000 more were believed to have been injured.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An F4 tornado touched down in Caddo County, Oklahoma and tracked 32.9 miles, 440 yards wide at its widest, injuring 6.
An F4 tornado touched down in Barber County, Kansas and tracked 19.5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, injuring 2.
An F3 tornado touched down in Foard County, Texas and tracked 14.7 miles, 150 yards wide at its widest, injuring 1.
An F4 tornado touched down in Washington County, Mississippi and tracked 3.6 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, injuring 3.
An F3 tornado touched down in Claiborne County, Mississippi and tracked 18.5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, injuring 2.
An F3 tornado touched down in Hinds County, Mississippi and tracked 4.5 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest.
A tornado destroyed three barns and several outbuildings as it moved across rural land in the southeast part of the county.
Early morning thunderstorms in southern Oklahoma produced nickel-size hail in Davidson in Tillman County. Lightning struck and set fire to a hotel in Ardmore in Carter County and did about $7,500 in damage.
Thunderstorms over the Texas panhandle caused nearly $200 thousand in damage. Several trailers, barns and outbuildings were destroyed in Ochiltree county and the wind was measured at 89 MPH in Perryton. In Booker, windows were blown out in several homes.
Thunderstorm winds blew a television antenna off a house.
A tornado touched down just east of the Opp country club, then moved southeast crossing U S Highway 84 just south of downtown before lifting back into the cloud just west of U S Highway 331.
A few trees were blown down and minor damage was done to some property.
Thunderstorms during the late morning through evening of the 17th generated a tornado, and produced hail up to one and three quarter inches in diameter, damaging winds, flash flooding, and lightning damage.A tornado briefly touched down in a field in Gladys.
A severe thunderstorm produced a tornado which touched down on the north side of Morehead City. The tornado touched down near the intersection of 20th St. and Champion Dr. The tornado uprooted numerous trees, caused minor roof damage, and tossed a 1 ton boat up against a house.
An F3 tornado touched down in Dewey, Woodward counties, Oklahoma and tracked 8 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest.
Numerous severe thunderstorms were observed over western Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th and early morning of the 18th.
The cold front mentioned in the previous event washed out and stalled south of Iowa. An east to west boundary set up along the Iowa Missouri border.
The cold front that had moved southeast across the state the previous night became stationary across southern Iowa by the morning of the 17th. A sharp contrast in dew point temperatures was found across the front.
A potent middle and upper atmospheric storm system moved eastward over the west Texas South Plains on the 17th. This system resulted in the development of numerous thunderstorms across the region.
A potent supercell developed during the afternoon and moved eastward along a cold front. This storm was responsible for hail as large as baseballs as it moved across Jack, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Parker, and Tarrant Counties.
Strong storms kicked off record setting heavy rains which resulted in record crests across area streams and rivers. Many locations across northern Illinois received 4 to 7 inches of rainfall, with several reports of over 7 inches of rain out of Du Page County.
Severe weather and flash flooding affected a small part of western north Texas, into southwest and central Oklahoma on this date in 2013. At least five weak, short-lived tornadoes occurred from around Odell and Harrold, Texas, up toward Grandfield and Lawton, Oklahoma. Minor damage was reported with the tornadoes, but thankfully, no one was hurt. Numerous reports of damaging wind and hail, along with very heavy rain were also received across southwest and central Oklahoma. The largest hail and strongest winds were seen from Snyder and Cache, to Rush Springs and Chickasha. Significant flash flooding was also seen around Medicine Park, Meers, Chickasha, and Newcastle, where four to seven inches of rain fell in a short period of time.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a weather system. Significant rainfall, as well as tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail occurred with the stronger storms.
Thunderstorms developed along and south of a stationary frontal boundary that extended across southeastern Kansas through southwestern Oklahoma during the evening hours of the 17th.
A strong warm front became stationary along the interstate 44 corridor during the early afternoon of the 17th. Through the day, areas south of the warm front and east of a well-defined dryline became very unstable.
A slow moving upper low over the Southwestern U.S. combined with near record level moisture aided in producing extremely heavy rainfall and devastating flooding over portions of Harris, Waller and Fort Bend Counties.
A squall line moved out of southeast Kansas and across western Missouri from the late evening of the 17th to the early morning of the 18th. Widespread straight-line wind damage occurred near the Missouri and Kansas border.
A closed upper low, a cold front, and a dryline combined to produce numerous thunderstorms with severe weather on the 17th.
Several rounds of severe thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes through the day on April 17th.
At the surface, an occluded low drifted from northeastern WI to the central Upper Peninsula of MI during the early afternoon through early evening of the 17th.
Scattered thunderstorms developed as a low pressure system moved through the region.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Douglas, Washington counties, Nebraska and tracked 8.12 miles, 170 yards wide at its widest.
On April 17, 2025, two powerful and long-lived supercells swept across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa during the afternoon and evening hours, bringing significant severe weather impacts.
Warm air advection increased across the area through the day with a warm front draped across northern Iowa by the afternoon. Meanwhile a cold front was approaching Iowa from the northwest.
89 tornadoes were recorded on April 17, 2026, in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Buffalo County, Wisconsin and tracked 10.35 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest.
An EF3 tornado touched down in Marathon County, Wisconsin and tracked 13.52 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest.
A round of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding occurred as a strong cold front approached and tracked across southern WI. More specifically, supercell thunderstorms developed from northeast IA into southwest WI and far southern WI during the late afternoon and evening hours.
A prolific tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon on April 17th, with 5 tornadoes occurring in southeast Minnesota.
A severe weather outbreak unfolded across central and north-central Wisconsin during the afternoon and early evening of Friday (4/17). The event was triggered by a surface low-pressure system and cold front across the upper Midwest.
A major tornado outbreak took place between April 17 and 18, 2026, within the Midwestern United States, Upper Midwest, and the Southern Plains. The Storm Prediction Center forecasted a wind and hail-driven moderate risk for severe weather on April 17, covering portions of northern Oklahoma, central and eastern portions of Kansas, and western Missouri, with a risk for very large to giant hail, extreme damaging winds, and strong to intense tornadoes.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A vigorous low-pressure system and cold front pushed through the Plains and the Ozarks, interacting with a warm, moist air mass as a strong upper-level trough and a veered wind profile created high wind shear and instability.
A prolific tornado outbreak brought 4 tornadoes to portions of western Wisconsin during the mid to late afternoon hours on April 17th. One of these tornadoes was a strong EF-3 tornado near the unincorporated community of Cream, Wisconsin.
A severe weather episode, with widespread reports of large to very large hail and a tornado, impacted portions of northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th.
Numerous severe storms tracked across eastern IA, northwest IL, and northeast MO during the afternoon and evening of April 17. Widespread wind gusts between 60-80 mph (isolated 80-100 mph), large hail up to teacup size, and several tornadoes were reported.
A line of severe thunderstorms moved across all of northern Illinois during the evening of April 17th producing several tornadoes and wind damage. Large hail occurred across parts of northwest Illinois and flooding occurred across parts of northeast Illinois.
The environment during the afternoon of April 17th was primed for the development of severe thunderstorms. Semi-discrete convection blossomed ahead of a cold front during the early afternoon, causing wind damage and large hail in portions of central and east-central Missouri.
Numerous severe storms tracked across eastern IA, northwest IL, and northeast MO during the afternoon and evening of April 17. Widespread wind gusts between 60-80 mph (isolated 80-100 mph), large hail up to teacup size, and several tornadoes were reported.
Thunderstorms developed over north central Oklahoma during the early evening of the 17th, as a cold front moved into the area.
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Hurricane Surigae reached its peak of 170 kt (195 mph) with a central pressure of 882 mb, a category 5 storm.
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The Red River crested in East Grand Forks on the 21st/22nd just over 54 feet, shattering the previous record by over 5 feet. Problems with the river gauge led to difficulties in obtaining stages.
The Red River was reported to be 10 miles wide as it reached Traill county. The river set a new record stage at Halstad on the 19th.
The Red River was reported to be 10 miles wide as it reached Norman county. Several days of strong west winds produced whitecaps that threatened dikes in Perley and Hendrum. Both these towns were evacuated, with only essential people remaining to fight the flood.
Driver drowned when her jeep was swept away in Hinds Creek when she attempted to driver family members to safety.
Flash flooding that occurred on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Kentucky River basin on the 17th.
Thunderstorms developed in a warm, moist, unstable airmass ahead of a strong cold front early on the 17th.
Thunderstorms produced flash flooding and damaging winds in north-central and northwest North Carolina during the early morning hours on the 17th.Heavy rainfall resulted in the flooding of Moravian, Cub and Mill Creeks in the southern portion of Wilkes County.
Flash flooding on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Cumberland River basin on April 17.
The News-Herald newspaper office in Lenoir City had 44 inches deep in the basement, destroying several computers, company records and turned a refrigerator on its side. Radio station WLIL was almost swept off its foundation by waters rising from adjacent Town Creek.
An intense upper to mid level trough located west of Puerto Rico, coupled with an influx of moist and unstable southerly winds, managed to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms that affected the island of Puerto Rico and began early on Thursday morning.
Several streets were flooded and closed across southern Cook County. Three feet of water was over Governors Highway in Park Forest. Numerous roads were closed from Harvey to New Lenox. Rivers and streams overflowed. Hundreds of basements were flooded.
A slow moving upper level system combined with a surface front resulted in a two-day period of moderate to heavy rain across parts of north Texas.
A nearly stationary frontal boundary interacting with an unseasonably warm and moist airmass brought widespread showers and thunderstorms to parts of central Illinois from the later afternoon of April 17th through the morning of April 18th.
Record flooding occurred during the month of April and record crests occurred on the lower portions of the Grand River at Ionia, Lowell, Ada, Comstock Park, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Clusters of thunderstorms formed over central Kentucky and then pushed eastward into east Kentucky during the morning hours of April 17th.
An upper level disturbance tracked over Iowa and northern Missouri April 17th and 18th, bringing several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the region. Heavy rains of 3 to 7 inches were recorded over the 48 hour period. This resulted in widespread flash flooding.
A strong storm system developed over the southern Rockies during the early morning hours of the 17th. A strong frontal boundary extended from the low, northeast across Iowa. A 50 kt low level jet developed during the predawn hours.
An upper level disturbance tracked over northern Missouri and Iowa April 17th and 18th bringing several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to the region. Heavy rains of 3 to 7 inches were recorded over the 48 hour period. This resulted in widespread flash flooding.
Weak upper level ridging persisted across the area on the 17th. A shortwave had moved through the area the previous day, and the remnants of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) that moved through West Virginia as a result had worked its way south-southwest into eastern Tennessee…
An approaching broad upper low east of the Four Corners region placed eastern Texas in a favorable upper air pattern conducive to sustaining either a mesoscale storm complex or an organized linear storm system.
Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon and evening hours as an upper level low pressure center and a dryline approached from the west. Storms continued overnight as a cold front swept across the region.
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Very strong thunderstorm winds raked across Oklahoma and north Texas on April 16th and 17th, 1990. The Oklahoma City metro area took the brunt of the storms. Winds of 90 to 100 mph severely damaged roofs of several schools and apartment buildings. At the Oklahoma City Post Office, many Federal Income Tax returns, which were waiting to be loaded into a transport truck, were swept away by the winds.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Heavy damage to cars with some roof and window damage at several homes.
The Macon county sheriff's office reported 1 inch hail.
Thunderstorms moved from Mississippi into Washington county late Friday afternoon. Trees and power lines were blown down across much of the southwest part of the county. Electricity was knocked out until the next day in many locations.
A strong, Arctic high pressure system built over the southern Appalachians at mid month, producing not only record cold temperatures for this time of year, but also contributing to records for late season snowfall at some areas as a potent upper level disturbance affected the…
Public reported dime size hail.
Roof of old city hall partially peeled back. Few trees down.
Narrow swath of wind damage. Roof off barn. Old, abandoned wooden one-room schoolhouse collapsed. Several outbuildings down. Downburst wind per NWS damage survey.
High winds developed during around the midnight hours over parts of north central Iowa. The winds were not the direct result of the thunderstorms, but were related. The supercell thunderstorm moving across Iowa collapsed.
Penny size hail was observed one mile south of Vickery.
A pre-frontal band of thunderstorms pulsed up to severe limits and produced powerful downburst winds up to an estimated 65 kts (75 mph) across part of south-central and southeast Wisconsin. In Green Lake County, a barn was blown down, and a tree fell on to a vehicle.
Two isolated supercell thunderstorms resulted in very large hail over the plains of Eddy County during the late afternoon and evening of the 17th. The first storm propagated southeast out of Chaves County.
A mobile home, west of Oglala, was destroyed by outflow winds from a nearby thunderstorm. The strong broadside winds caused the mobile home to roll over with several people inside. Five people were injured and there was one fatality.
The deep upper low remained over the Four Corners region on April 17th while another strong jet streak in the subtropical jet stream across northern Mexico moved into South Texas. The air mass became strongly unstable by the afternoon.
Powerful post frontal bora winds blasted along the Front Range Foothills and across Northeast and East-Central Colorado. The damaging wind gusts ranged from 60 to 90 mph. A woman in Louisville died after she was struck by a falling tree branch.
A potent upper level storm system sliding east through the southern Rockies spread widespread strong to damaging winds across New Mexico on April 17th.
Stationary boundary across the I-10 corridor lifted northward as a warm front on Easter day.
A squall line developed in western Ohio on April 17th along a cold front before tracking east into western Pennsylvania. Behind the cold front, a 50kt low-level jet was measured on the KPBZ radar at 3,000ft and surface based instability ranged between 500J/kg to 1,000J/kg.
Severe thunderstorms resulted in numerous reports of hail of up to around an inch to inch and a quarter in diameter as well as damaging wind gusts of around 60 mph that brought down several trees.
A severe weather episode, with widespread reports of large to very large hail and a tornado, impacted portions of northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th.
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A person was killed clearing a roof of snow when an avalanche occurred.
A 20 vehicle crash on southbound U.S. 89 in Davis County was followed by a 9 vehicle crash on the northbound lanes.
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The Granite Fire started on April 17, 1986, in New Mexico, and burned 1,582 acres.
The Unnamed Fire started on April 17, 1988, in Minnesota, and burned 1,691 acres.
The Unnamed Fire started on April 17, 1993, in North Dakota, and burned 1,488 acres.
The Unnamed Fire started on April 17, 1996, in Kansas, and burned 9,083 acres.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 1996, in Shelby County, Alabama, and burned 1,540 acres; the cause was recorded as recreation and ceremony.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 1996, in Marshall County, Mississippi, and burned 500 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
200-acre wildfire destroyed one home and damaged two others as well as a boat and a number of docks in the Driftwood Estates area.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 1999, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and burned 1,200 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Carlton 01 Fire was discovered on April 17, 2001, in Sarasota County, Florida, and burned 5,932 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 2001, in South Carolina, and burned 3,684 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Battlement Fire started on April 17, 2001, in Colorado, and burned 1,404 acres.
The Potato Creek Fire was discovered on April 17, 2002, in South Dakota, and burned 3,708 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The Tammy Faye Fire was discovered on April 17, 2003, in Adair County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
A human caused fire was started west of Fort Washakie during the afternoon. The fire became out of control and threatened urban areas of Fort Washakie resulting in the evacuation of all 250 residents.
The Bandytown Fire was discovered on April 17, 2005, in Boone County, West Virginia, and burned 1,641 acres; the cause was recorded as fireworks.
The River Road Fire was discovered on April 17, 2007, in Kittson County, Minnesota, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 2008, in Ulster County, New York, and burned 2,855 acres; the cause was recorded as smoking.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 2008, in Haywood County, Tennessee, and burned 1,441 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Ruby Fire was discovered on April 17, 2008, in Elko County, Nevada, and burned 1,100 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
Very dry conditions and strong winds across portions of central Wisconsin caused a controlled burn of grass clippings in a wooded area to quickly become out of control in Adams County on April 17th.
The Unnamed Fire was discovered on April 17, 2009, in California, and burned 3,060 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
A tractor ignited a cornfield south of Osseo in Trempealeau County in the early evening hours of April 17th. The wildfire killed one individual and injured two others. Winds had increased to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the area that afternoon and evening.
A human caused wildfire in southwest Austin was spread by southeast winds that gusted up to 37 mph. The fire spread to nearby neighborhoods.
Two new fires started during the afternoon of the 17th across New Mexico. A small fire near Alcalde burned two abandoned structures, while a larger fire south of Melrose, scorched over 20,000 acres and destroyed three homes.
The PK East Fire began in northern Palo Pinto County and became part of the PK Complex Fire. A total of 126,734 acres were burned by this complex, and the PK East Fire burned nearly 11,000 acres. One church was burned by this fire.
The Tire Fire was discovered on April 17, 2011, in Curry County, New Mexico, and burned 24,000 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.
The Gardner Farm Lane Fire was reported on April 17, 2017, in Scotland County, North Carolina, and burned 1,355 acres.
The 117 Wildfire ignited on April 17th just off of I-25 exit 117 (hence the name), south of Fountain, CO in southern El Paso County. The car eventually spread into northern Pueblo County as well.
The Badger Hole Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Baca County, Colorado, and burned 50,671 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The MM 117 Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in El Paso County, Colorado, and burned 42,795 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The McClellan Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Gray County, Texas, and burned 23,143 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The 380 Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Lea County, New Mexico, and burned 20,480 acres.
The Hwy 94 Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Lincoln County, Colorado, and burned 7,288 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Edison Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Lincoln County, Colorado, and burned 5,528 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Trinchera Creek Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Las Animas County, Colorado, and burned 4,775 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Pierson Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Lea County, New Mexico, and burned 4,665 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The 18-94 Fire was reported on April 17, 2018, in Elk County, Kansas, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Highway 20 - Harding Fire was reported on April 17, 2021, in Harding County, South Dakota, and burned 1,891 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Tunnel Fire started Sunday on April 17 around 4:22 PM about 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff within the Schultz Fire scar (2010). The fire burned through 19,088 acres of timber with understory (abundant brush or small trees) and cured grass.
S. state of New Mexico, as part of the 2022 New Mexico wildfire season.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Cooks Peak Fire was reported on April 17, 2022, in Mora County, New Mexico, and burned 59,359 acres.
The Tunnel Fire was reported on April 17, 2022, in Coconino County, Arizona, and burned 19,105 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Stag Fire was reported on April 17, 2022, in Haskell County, Texas, and burned 1,060 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Salt Creek Fire was reported on April 17, 2023, in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, and burned 1,984 acres.
A strong positively tilted trough was moving through the Great Basin. Ahead of this system, gusty southwest winds develop over southern New Mexico and brought areas of blowing dust to Luna, Hidalgo and Otero counties.
An upper level trough dove south over the Great Basin merging with an upper low off the coast of California on April 17th. Strong southwest winds moved over New Mexico ahead of these two upper level systems.
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A magnitude 8 earthquake struck Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea. With the tsunami it caused, it killed some people (about 51 to 100).
An earthquake struck Petit Trou Nippes, Haiti. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Shanxi Province, China. It killed 31 people and injured 65.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Zakinthos (Zante), Gaitani-Keri, Greece. It killed 25 people, destroyed 2,000 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage. It caused a tsunami.
An earthquake struck Southern Italy.
An earthquake struck Tokaido, Japan. It caused a tsunami.
An earthquake struck Northern Italy.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Wuqia County, S Xinjiang, China. It injured 2.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Delingha, Qinghai Province, China. It destroyed 45 houses.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Valparaiso, Chile. It killed 2 people.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Miyakejima, Japan. It injured 3.
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Quispicanchi, Peru. It did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
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Umboi, Papua New Guinea erupted. It killed some people (about 51 to 100). The eruption caused a tsunami and was accompanied by an earthquake.
Merapi, Indonesia erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. It killed 170 people.
Etna, Italy erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 2. It killed 2 people and injured 7.
Karangetang, Indonesia erupted with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 1. It killed 3 people.
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A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Livorno, Italy.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea. It killed some people (about 51 to 100).
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake struck Petit Trou Nippes, Haiti.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Ionian Sea, Greece. It killed few people (about 1 to 50), destroyed 2,000 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A tsunami with a source recorded as landslide struck Gulf of Alaska, AK, United States.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Tokaido, Japan, with a maximum water height of 0.6 meters.
4 on April 17, oldest first.
A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm began April 17, 1939, reached Kp 8 and lasted 45 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 135; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 45 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm began April 17, 1947, reached Kp 9- and lasted 36 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 100; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 42 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm began April 17, 1957, reached Kp 8- and lasted 15 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 55; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 47 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began April 17, 2002, reached Kp 7+ and lasted 27 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 63; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 48 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
1 on April 17, oldest first.
A flooding disaster that cost $3.6 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 8, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from April 17, 2016 to April 18, 2016.
6 on April 17, oldest first.
A boy was killed when he was struck by lightning standing under a tree in front of his house.
Lightning destroyed one house and did considerable damage to two nearby homes.
A local male drowned while rescuing his two sons who got into trouble in rough water near the west end of Dauphin Island. The two kids were swimming when the current started carrying them out into the Gulf.
Large swells capsized two outrigger canoes near the mouth of Mission Bay. Several small boats in the bay also drug anchor and were grounded.
A fishing party of four men departed early on April 17 on a fishing outing from Bodega Harbor. Their overturned boat and two bodies were discovered near Tomales Point the following day. The bodies of the other two individuals were found over the next few weeks.
Gathered from this site’s archives: the tornado record (NOAA SPC, and Grazulis before 1950), IBTrACS and the National Hurricane Center, NOAA NCEI’s Storm Events Database, Regional Snowfall Index, billion-dollar disasters list, State Climate Extremes Committee and hazard databases, USGS, NIFC, GFZ Potsdam’s Kp index (CC BY 4.0), the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, and Wikidata (CC0), with article leads from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0, each credited where it appears. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.