1904: A destructive, estimated F4 tornado moved ESE from 7 miles WNW of Willow Lake, through the town, and on into Bryant. Most of the damaged occurred in those two towns. All buildings on at least three farms were blown away. One woman died in Bryant, Hamlin County, as the tornado swept across the residential west side of town. Another man was killed just west of Willow Lake, as his farm house was scattered for miles.

1988: More than 150,000 acres were consumed during one of many fires in Yellowstone. This was the single worst day of the fires and was later dubbed Black Saturday. More Yellowstone land burned on this day, than all other fires combined since the establishment of the park in 1872. Ash from the fires drifted as far away as Billings, Montana.

1886: A hurricane completely destroyed the town of Indianola, TX. After being wiped out, the town was not rebuilt.

1971: Heavy rains caused severe flooding in North Vietnam, killing 100,000.