Wednesday, May 7th, 2003 — Tornadoes that ripped through several Midwestern states on May 4 killed at least 38 people and destroyed or damaged scores of homes and businesses. The Insurance Services Offices Inc. has declared the incident a catastrophe, meaning insured damages from the tornadoes that raked 14 states will reach at least $25 million. Losses are expected to be much higher than that, though.
Seven counties in Kansas were declared disaster areas by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. In Liberty, Mo., a tornado ripped the roofs from a residence hall and union on the campus of William Jewell College and heavily damaged a clock tower. The school has estimated the insured damages will be at least $15 million to $20 million.