1896day.year
The F4-strength St. Louis–East St. Louis tornado hits in St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, killing at least 255 people and causing over $10 million in damage.
A devastating F4 tornado strikes St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois, causing hundreds of deaths and millions in damage.
On May 27, 1896, one of the deadliest tornadoes in American history tore through St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois as an F4 on the Fujita scale. The storm carved a destructive path miles long, obliterating homes, businesses, and infrastructure in its wake. At least 255 residents lost their lives, and more than 1,000 were injured by the fierce winds and flying debris. The tornado caused over $10 million in damages, crippling the local economy and overwhelming relief efforts. In the aftermath, thousands of displaced families sought shelter in makeshift camps while relief organizations provided aid. The disaster prompted advancements in weather observation and early warning systems. It remains a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power and the resilience of affected communities.
1896
F4
St. Louis–East St. Louis tornado
St. Louis, Missouri
East St. Louis, Illinois
1915day.year
HMS Princess Irene explodes and sinks off Sheerness, Kent, with the loss of 352 lives.
HMS Princess Irene explodes and sinks off the coast of Kent, claiming 352 lives in one of the Royal Navy's worst munitions accidents.
On May 27, 1915, HMS Princess Irene, a converted minelaying cruiser, suffered a catastrophic explosion while docked at Sheerness on the River Medway in Kent. The blast, triggered during the handling of naval mines, tore the ship apart in seconds. Out of the crew and dockyard workers on board, 352 lives were lost, making it one of the deadliest non-combat accidents in Royal Navy history. Witnesses described a massive fireball followed by debris raining down on the docks. Rescue operations were hampered by continued fires and the risk of secondary explosions. The disaster spurred revisions to munitions handling protocols and shipboard safety procedures. HMS Princess Irene's loss served as a tragic reminder of the inherent dangers of naval ordnance during wartime.
1915
HMS Princess Irene
Sheerness
Kent
1962day.year
The Centralia mine fire is ignited in the town's landfill above a coal mine.
A coal seam fire ignited beneath Centralia's landfill, starting a blaze that would burn underground for decades.
On May 27, 1962, a fire accidentally broke out beneath the town landfill in Centralia, Pennsylvania. Burning embers reached a network of abandoned coal mine tunnels, allowing the blaze to spread unchecked underground. Attempts to extinguish the fire through trenching and water injection were unsuccessful. Toxic gases, subsidence, and smoke emissions eventually forced the evacuation and condemnation of most of the town. The Centralia mine fire became one of the longest-lasting mine fires in history and inspired studies on mine safety and environmental remediation. Today, the site remains closed off, with warning signs marking hazardous zones and ongoing thermal activity beneath the surface.
1962
Centralia mine fire
1971day.year
The Dahlerau train disaster, the worst railway accident in West Germany, kills 46 people and injures 25 near Wuppertal.
A head-on collision near Dahlerau resulted in the deadliest railway accident in West Germany, with 46 lives lost.
On May 27, 1971, two passenger trains collided on a single-track line near Dahlerau, close to Wuppertal in West Germany. Dense fog and signaling failures contributed to the tragedy, leaving no time for drivers to avoid impact. Rescue operations were complicated by poor visibility and difficult terrain. The accident claimed 46 lives and injured 25, shocking the nation. In response, German rail authorities overhauled safety protocols, introducing centralized traffic control and redundant signaling systems. Memorials at the crash site commemorate the victims and serve as a reminder of the importance of rail safety.
1971
Dahlerau train disaster
Wuppertal
1975day.year
Dibbles Bridge coach crash near Grassington, in North Yorkshire, England, kills 33 – the highest ever death toll in a road accident in the United Kingdom.
A coach crash at Dibbles Bridge in North Yorkshire claimed 33 lives, marking Britain's deadliest road traffic accident.
On May 27, 1975, a double-decker coach carrying day-trippers from Bradford lost control while descending the steep Dibbles Bridge viaduct near Grassington. The vehicle crashed through safety barriers and plummeted down the hillside, colliding with trees and rocks. The disaster killed 33 passengers, making it the worst road accident in UK history at the time. Challenging geography and damaged vehicle access hindered rescue efforts. The tragedy led to stricter regulations for coach design, braking systems, and mandatory safety equipment. Annual memorials at the site honor those who perished and reinforce lessons learned about passenger transport safety.
1975
Dibbles Bridge coach crash
Grassington
North Yorkshire
1977day.year
A plane crash at José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba, kills 67.
An airliner crashed during takeoff at Havana's José Martí International Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities.
On May 27, 1977, a Cubana de Aviación Ilyushin Il-62 airliner suffered mechanical failure during takeoff at José Martí International Airport. The aircraft veered off the runway and collided with airport structures, causing a catastrophic fire. All 67 passengers and crew on board perished in the crash. Investigations attributed the accident to inadequate maintenance procedures and pilot decision-making under stressful conditions. The tragedy prompted comprehensive overhauls of aircraft inspection protocols and emergency response training in Cuba. It remains one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters and shaped future safety regulations for civil aviation operations.
1977
plane crash
José Martí International Airport
Havana
1997day.year
The 1997 Central Texas tornado outbreak occurs, spawning multiple tornadoes in Central Texas, including the F5 that killed 27 in Jarrell.
A devastating tornado outbreak swept through Central Texas on May 27, 1997, producing multiple twisters including an F5 that struck Jarrell.
In late May 1997, a severe weather system moved across Central Texas, spawning more than a dozen tornadoes within hours. The most destructive was an F5 tornado that demolished much of the small town of Jarrell, killing 27 people and leveling homes. Emergency responders faced challenges due to the rapid onset of the storm and the widespread damage to roads and communications. Survivors described the tornado as an almost texturized rumble that obliterated everything in its path. The disaster prompted a review of warning systems and led to improvements in forecasting and community preparedness. Memorials in Jarrell honor the lives lost and serve as a reminder of the power of nature.
1997
1997 Central Texas tornado outbreak
the F5 that killed 27
Jarrell
2006day.year
The 6.4 Mw Yogyakarta earthquake shakes central Java with an MSK intensity of VIII (Damaging), leaving more than 5,700 dead and 37,000 injured.
A powerful magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck central Java on May 27, 2006, causing widespread devastation around Yogyakarta.
The 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake registered at 6.4 on the moment magnitude scale and shook central Java with extreme intensity. Buildings crumbled in dozens of towns and villages, leaving more than 5,700 people dead and tens of thousands injured. The quake’s epicenter was near the town of Bantul, but the city of Yogyakarta suffered significant damage to historic sites and infrastructure. Rescue crews and volunteers raced to reach survivors trapped under rubble, often hampered by damaged roads. International aid agencies joined local efforts to provide emergency shelter, medical care, and food supplies. The disaster prompted a review of building codes in Indonesia, emphasizing quake-resistant design to mitigate future losses.
2006
Yogyakarta earthquake
Java
MSK
2018day.year
Maryland Flood Event: A flood occurs throughout the Patapsco Valley, causing one death, destroying the entire first floors of buildings on Main Street in Ellicott City, and causing cars to overturn.
On May 27, 2018, a devastating flash flood swept through Ellicott City in the Patapsco Valley, resulting in one fatality and widespread destruction to Main Street businesses and infrastructure.
On May 27, 2018, an intense and stationary thunderstorm unleashed unprecedented flash flooding along the Patapsco Valley in Maryland, inundating Ellicott City within minutes. The surge sent torrents of water racing down the narrow streets, destroying entire ground floors of historic storefronts on Main Street and overturning vehicles. One person lost their life as the floodwaters rose to dangerous levels, overwhelming local drainage systems. Rescue crews worked tirelessly to evacuate residents and clear debris as water reached heights of more than six feet in some areas. The flood exposed vulnerabilities in urban stormwater management and prompted debates on infrastructure improvements and climate resilience. In the aftermath, community members rallied to restore the damaged downtown, while local and federal agencies assessed the need for flood mitigation projects. The disaster highlighted the risks of heavy rainfall in steep, urbanized valleys.
2018
Maryland Flood Event
Patapsco Valley
Ellicott City