A Violent Summer Storm Sweeps the Yakima Valley
While Kennewick escaped the worst of the wind and rain, neighboring Prosser saw a church burn to the ground after a lightning strike.
The heavy wind, dust, and rain storm which visited the valley Monday evening left in its wake no damage more serious than the ruffled tempers of local housekeepers. The storm seems to have been quite general over the central and eastern part of the state and other districts fared much worse than did Kennewick. The damage around Prosser was serious. The Republican-Bulletin says: The worst wind and rain storm in years visited Prosser and vicinity on Monday evening. It was accompanied by electrical disturbances which for intensity was never equalled in this part of the state. During the height of the storm it was found that the United Presbyterian church had been struck with lightning and was on fire. Although handicapped by lack of phone service, the fire department was on the ground in a short time. The flames had gained such headway, however, that it was impossible to save the building, and the fire boys turned their attention to the Bourquin cottage next to it.
“The flames had gained such headway, however, that it was impossible to save the building.”
Extreme weather events in the Yakima Valley remain a persistent concern, particularly for the agricultural sector. The total loss of a local landmark church due to lightning serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of small-town infrastructure to natural disasters in the early 20th century.
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