Jump to content

2013 Moore tornado

National Weather Service tornado damage survey map:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2001:db8 (talk | contribs) at 08:01, 6 June 2013 (Undid revision 558564633 by 115.188.12.243 (talk) rv apparent test edit). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Attached KML/2013 Moore tornado
KML is from Wikidata

2013 Moore tornado
EF5 tornado
Tornado as it passed southwest of Moore
Max. rating1EF5 tornado
Fatalities23 fatalities (+1 indirect), 377 injuries[2]
Damage$1.5 billion to $2 billion (estimate)[1]
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

On the afternoon of May 20, 2013, an EF5 tornado, with peak winds estimated at 210 miles per hour (340 km/h), struck Moore, Oklahoma, and adjacent areas, killing 23 people (and an additional person indirectly),[3] and injuring 377 others.[2][4][5] The tornado was part of a larger weather system that had produced several other tornadoes over the previous two days. The tornado touched down west of Newcastle at 2:56 p.m. CDT (19:56 UTC), staying on the ground for 39 minutes over a 17-mile (27 km) path, crossing through a heavily populated section of Moore. The tornado was 1.3 miles (2.1 km) wide at its peak. Despite the tornado following a roughly similar track to the even deadlier 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado, very few homes and neither of the stricken schools had purpose-built storm shelters.[6]

Meteorological synopsis

Comparison between the preliminary tornado track (red), the 1999 Bridge Creek – Moore tornado (green), and the 2003 Moore tornado (blue) from the National Weather Service.

On May 20, 2013, a prominent central upper trough moved eastward with a lead upper low pivoting over the Dakotas and Upper Midwest region. A Southern stream shortwave trough and a moderately strong polar jet moved east-northeastward over the southern Rockies to the southern Great Plains and Ozarks area, with severe thunderstorms forming during the peak hours of heating. With the influence of moderately strong cyclonic flow aloft, the air mass was expected to become unstable across much of the southern Great Plains, Ozarks, and middle Mississippi Valley by the afternoon.[7] Evidence of an unstable air mass included dewpoints in the upper 60s °F (20 °C) and lower 70s °F (20–22 °C), temperatures in the low to mid 80s °F (27–30 °C), and CAPE values ranging from 3500–5000 J/kg. Deep layer wind shear speeds of 40–50 kt would enhance storm organization and intensity.[8] These ingredients were present ahead of a cold front extending from an eastern Dakotas surface low southwestward to near the Kansas City area and western Oklahoma, and ahead of a dry line extending from southwest Oklahoma southward into western north and west-central Texas. Outflow remnants from the previous night and early day convection across the Ozarks and middle Mississippi Valley were a factor in severe weather development with the most aggressive heating and destabilization on the western edge of this activity across the southern Great Plains and just ahead of a cold front.[7] The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma had warned as early as May 15 that there was a chance of severe weather on May 20.[9]

Radar images of the Moore tornado with a debris ball and signature hook echo

The most intense severe weather activity was expected across the southern Great Plains, specifically central Oklahoma, during the afternoon hours. As such, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms during the early morning hours of May 20 from southeastern Missouri to north-central Texas. The degree of wind shear, moisture and instability within the warm sector favored the development of supercells. Very large hail and tornadoes were expected with the supercells, with the possibility of a few strong tornadoes.[7] A tornado watch was issued at 1:10 p.m. CDT early that afternoon for the eastern two-thirds of Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas and portions of north-central Texas.[10][11] The storm that produced the tornado developed around 2:00 p.m. CDT that afternoon across northern Grady County, Oklahoma. Its rapid intensification resulted in the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman issuing a severe thunderstorm warning at 2:12 p.m. CDT.[12]

At 2:40 p.m. CDT, a tornado warning was issued for the storm as it was approaching the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.[13] At 2:56 p.m. CDT, the tornado touched down roughly 4.4 miles (7.1 km) west of Newcastle in Grady County as an EF0. Tracking northeast through McClain County, the tornado rapidly intensified, attaining EF4 intensity within ten minutes and 4 miles (6.4 km) of touching down. This area of EF4 damage was in semi-rural residential subdivisions north of Newcastle (west-northwest of exit 108 on Interstate 44 just outside of a business area) and was very brief.[14] By 3:01 p.m. CDT, a second more strongly worded warning was issued for the area. A tornado emergency was declared for southern Oklahoma City and Moore as storm spotters confirmed a large and violent tornado approaching the area.[15] As the tornado crossed the Canadian River into Cleveland County, a decommissioned U.S. 62/U.S. 277 bridge was severely damaged and had to be demolished after the tornado ripped part of it from its mount and scattered it across Interstate 44.[16] The tornado then moved directly toward South Oklahoma City and Moore, roughly following Southwest 149th Street. At this point it began to grow rapidly in width, and a second brief area of EF4 damage was observed just east of Interstate 44. The tornado tracked through mostly rural areas of extreme southern parts of South Oklahoma City and southwest Moore at EF2 to EF3-strength before entering larger residential areas near Western Avenue. There, two larger instances of EF4-strength damage occurred just west of Interstate 35.[14] The Orr Family Farm, where between 75 and 100 horses were killed, took a direct hit[17] from the first of the two swaths, and several homes and structures on the property were swept away.[14] Nearby, Briarwood Elementary School also took a direct hit (although the school itself was found to have been destroyed by a very brief stint of EF5-strength winds, along with the very close surrounding subdivisions, where a few homes were swept away).[14][18] One woman was killed in her home near the school.[19] Winds from the tornado at this point (albeit briefly) were estimated to be 200 to 210 mph (320 to 340 km/h).[14][18]

National Weather Service tornado damage survey mapKML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/2013 Moore tornado
KML is from Wikidata

The tornado quickly lost the peak EF5 strength and weakened to EF4. It then caused heavy damage to Plaza Towers Elementary School, where seven children were killed. Many houses in the area (along South Santa Fe Avenue and surrounding streets) were destroyed, with several being completely flattened or reduced to bare slabs.[14][18] In one of these houses (a block away from Plaza Towers), a woman was killed as she tried to seek shelter in a closet.[20] That swath of EF4 damage also included an area on the west side of Interstate 35, with Moore Medical Center and the Moore Warren Theatre being heavily damaged (the concrete and reinforced steel-constructed movie theater suffered mainly external damage to its roof and marquee).[21] At least a dozen cars were piled up against the front entrance of the medical center.[18] A bowling alley in the area was destroyed,[18] and a 7-Eleven was completely flattened, with four people killed inside (including one infant).[22] The nearby Moore Cemetery was heavily damaged as well.[23] The tornado then crossed Interstate 35 at the center of town just south of 4th Street (where cars were tossed across the interstate and littered through the median[18]), abruptly shrank in size, and moved to the east side of Moore, where many more homes were either damaged or destroyed.[14][18] The EF4 damage continued on the east side of the interstate (despite the rapid decrease in size) before the tornado started to weaken near the intersection of Southeast 4th Street and South Sunnylane Road. The tornado continued briefly at EF2 to EF3-strength before becoming a thin rope tornado and rapidly weakening. It then dissipated about 4.8 miles (7.7 km) east of Moore around 3:35 p.m. CDT near the corner of Air Depot Drive and Southeast 119th Street in the rural southeast corner of Oklahoma City.

Impact

Over a dozen emergency workers comb through the rubble of a destroyed building

Between 12,000 and 13,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, and 33,000 people were affected.[1] Most areas in the path of the storm suffered catastrophic damage.[24] Entire subdivisions were obliterated, and houses were flattened in a large swath of the city.[25] The majority of a neighborhood just west of the Moore Medical Center was destroyed.[26] Witnesses said the tornado more closely resembled "a giant black wall of destruction" than a typical twister.[27] Among the hardest hit areas were two public schools: Briarwood Elementary School and Plaza Towers Elementary School. At the latter school, 75 children and staff were present when the tornado struck.[28] Nine fatalities were confirmed at the school.[29][30] Moore Medical Center was heavily damaged, but no injuries were caused. Staff had to relocate 30 patients to a hospital in Norman and another hospital.[24] Part of Interstate 35 was shut down due to debris that had been thrown onto the freeway.[31] Interstate 40 was also shut down due to overturned vehicles and trailers.[25] On May 21, Moore still did not have running water.[32] There were more than 61,500 power outages related to the tornado.[33] More than 100 people were rescued from the rubble on May 20.[34] The Oklahoma Department of Insurance said the insurance claims for damage would likely be more than $1 billion.[35] A family farm and training center for horses took a direct hit and numerous horses were killed.[36] Some meteorologists estimated that the energy released by the storm could have been from eight to more than 600 times greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.[37]

Casualties

Aerial view of tornado damage, taken by the Oklahoma National Guard

Within the first two days, it was reported that between 237[38] and 240 people had been injured, the tally later increasing to over 350.[39][40] On the morning of May 21, the medical examiner's office stated that 24 bodies of tornado victims had been received.[4][5][29] It was the deadliest U.S. tornado since the Joplin, Missouri, tornado that killed 158 people in 2011.[41]

Patients were taken to INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, Moore Medical Center, and The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.[24] Over 140 patients, including at least 70 children, were treated at hospitals.[42]

Aftermath

President Barack Obama talks on the phone to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin in the Oval Office

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency on May 20. She held her first post-tornado news conference at noon on May 21.[38] The Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed Urban Search and Rescue teams to the tornado-hit areas, and provided incident command personnel to organize and support rescue efforts.[43] The Oklahoma National Guard was also deployed. Governor Fallin also spoke with President Barack Obama;[44] in a press release, the White House stated: "The President told Governor Fallin that the people of Oklahoma are in his and the First Lady’s thoughts and prayers and, while his team will continue to keep him updated, he urged her to be in touch directly if there were additional resources the Administration could provide."[45]

President Obama declared a major disaster in the state, ordering federal aid to the affected.[46] The specified counties were Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie, with funding for hazard mitigation measures available statewide.[47] Obama visited the disaster-stricken areas on May 26.[48]

EF5-rated damage at Briarwood Elementary School

The season finale of the third season of Mike & Molly, titled "Windy City", was pulled by CBS from its original May 20 airing date due to the episode featuring a tornado descending on Chicago.[49]

At noon on May 21, the U.S. Senate held a moment of silence for the victims.[50] Several countries and Pope Francis offered condolences,[51][52][53][54] and the United Nations offered assistance in the recovery efforts.[55] The Canadian Red Cross began accepting donations of money and supplies for their American counterparts, to assist with disaster relief and recovery.[56]

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, Direct Relief International, Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, ONEOK, Koch Industries, Hobby Lobby, and Carrie Underwood all pledged donations to the relief efforts.[57][58] [59][60][61][62][63][64][65]

Mayor Glenn Lewis of Moore stated that he would attempt to get an ordinance passed requiring storm shelters or safe rooms in new housing projects.[66]

On May 29, NBC aired Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert, a fundraising concert hosted by country singer Blake Shelton and featured performances from Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Usher, Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan. The concert raised more than $6 million for the United Way of Central Oklahoma.[67]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Plushnick-Masti, Ramit; Murphy, Sean (May 22, 2013). "Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion". Associated Press. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Levs, Josh (May 23, 2013). "Students, teachers from tornado-leveled school say goodbye". CNN. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  3. ^ "Families remember Oklahoma tornado victims". CNN. May 23, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "OKLA. TORNADO DAMAGE: THOUSANDS OF HOMES, $1.5-$2B". AP. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Carter, Chelsea J.; Todd, Brian; Pearson, Michael (May 21, 2013). "Crews shift from rescue to recovery a day after Oklahoma tornado, official says". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Obama offers solace in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma". AFP. May 27, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c "May 20, 2013 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  8. ^ "May 20, 2013 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  9. ^ "May 20, 2013 Newcastle-Moore Tornado" (PDF). National Weather Service. 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ "Special Weather Statement: Tornado Watch". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  11. ^ "Special Weather Statement: Tornado Watch". National Weather Service Tulsa, Oklahoma. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "Special Weather Statement: Severe Thunderstorm Warning". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  13. ^ "Special Weather Statement: Tornado Warning". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "NWS Damage Survey for 5/20/2013 Newcastle/Moore Tornado Event - Update 3". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  15. ^ "Special Weather Statement: Tornado Warning". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  16. ^ Cannon, Jane Glenn (May 23, 2013). "Oklahoma tornadoes: Historic bridge near Newcastle damaged beyond repair". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 25, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Oklahoma tornado hits family farm, kills 100 horses". msn now.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g "Assessing the Damage Along the Tornado's Path in Oklahoma". NY Times. May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  19. ^ "Tornado victims remembered: Shannon Quick". KFOR.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  20. ^ "Tornado victims remembered: Deanna Ward". KFOR.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  21. ^ McDonnell, Brandy (May 22, 2013). "Wednesday Video Spotlight: Bill Warren talks about tornado-struck Warren Theatre in Moore, to reopen next Wednesday". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  22. ^ Chuck, Elizabeth; Gutierrez, Gabe (May 22, 2013). "Mother, infant who sought shelter in 7-Eleven among tornado victims identified". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  23. ^ Denwalt, Dale (May 23, 2013). "Volunteers clean Moore Cemetery in advance of burials". The Moore American. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c Hughes, Trevor; Jervis, Rick; Shorman, Jonthan; Welch, William M. (May 20, 2013). "Tornado had winds over 200 mph". USA Today. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  25. ^ a b Rice, Doyle; Welch, William M.; Leger, Donna Leinwand; Winter, Michael (May 20, 2013). "Monster Oklahoma tornado kills 51". USA Today. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  26. ^ "Assessing the Damage Along the Tornado's Path in Oklahoma". The New York Times. May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  27. ^ "Massive Tornado Hits Moore, OK". The Daily Beast. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  28. ^ Talley, Tim (May 20, 2013). "Oklahoma City tornado: Reports of 75 children in devastated grade school". The Province. Associated Press. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Gillam, Carey; Simpson, Ian (May 21, 2013). "Oklahoma lowers tornado death toll amid frantic search". Reuters. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  30. ^ Oxford, Nick; Schwirtz, Michael (May 20, 2013). "Vast Oklahoma Tornado Kills at Least 91". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Massive Tornado Kills At Least 24 In Moore, Hits Elementary Schools". KWTV. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  32. ^ Fantz, Ashley; Lavandera, Ed. "The day after, tornado survivors tell harrowing stories". CNN. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  33. ^ Schlachtenhaufen, Mark (May 21, 2013). "President pledges to aid Moore disaster recovery". Edmond Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  34. ^ "Oklahoma tornado spread destruction like a 'two-mile-wide lawnmower blade'". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  35. ^ Hanna, Jason; Clarke, Rachel (May 21, 2013). "'We will come back strong,' governor vows". CNN. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  36. ^ Stump, Scott (May 21, 2013). "Farm battered by tornadoes: 'There is nothing there'". Today. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  37. ^ Borenstein, Seth (May 21, 2013). "Power of Moore Tornado Dwarf Hiroshima Bomb". Associated Press. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  38. ^ a b McCarthy, Tom; Siddique, Haroon. "Oklahoma governor says 237 people injured in tornado – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  39. ^ Levs, Josh (May 23, 2013). "Severe storms slam recovering Oklahoma City area". CNN. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  40. ^ "Death Toll Revised Lower in Oklahoma Tornado". VOA. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  41. ^ Gillam, Carey; Simpson, Ian (May 21, 2013). "Whole neighborhoods razed by Oklahoma tornado that killed 24". Reuters. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  42. ^ "Hospitals treat more than 140 after Oklahoma tornado, including 70 children". New Haven Register. Associated Press. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  43. ^ "FEMA, Federal Partners Support Response to Severe Storms in Oklahoma". Federal Emergency Management Agency. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  44. ^ "Oklahoma governor calls out National Guard". KHOU TV. Associated Press. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  45. ^ "Readout of the President's Call with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin". White House. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  46. ^ "Obama declares major disaster in Oklahoma". Boston.com. Associated Press. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  47. ^ "Gov. Fallin Announces Federal Assistance Granted for Oklahomans Devastated by Tornadoes". The State of Oklahoma. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  48. ^ Mechaber, Ezra (May 26, 2013). "President Obama Tours Tornado Damage in Moore, Oklahoma: "We've Got Your Back"". White House. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  49. ^ "'Mike And Molly' Finale: Tornado-Themed Episode Pulled In Wake Of Oklahoma Tragedy". Huffington Post. May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  50. ^ "12:00 noon moment of silence-OK tornado victims". US Senate. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  51. ^ "The Queen's message to President Obama". Monarchy of the United Kingdom. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  52. ^ "Tornade aux Etats-Unis" (in French). Élysée Palace. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  53. ^ "Kondolenztelegramm von Bundeskanzlerin Merkel an US-Präsident Obama" (in German). Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  54. ^ Aguirre, Estefania (May 21, 2013). "Pope praying for children, others struck by Oklahoma tornado". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  55. ^ "UN global disasters forum opens with condolences for Oklahoma City tornado victims". United Nations. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  56. ^ "2013 Tornadoes and Severe Weather USA". Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  57. ^ "UMCOR Assists Tornado Victims in Oklahoma". PR Newswire. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  58. ^ Cervenka, Rachael (June 3, 2013). "Oklahoma tornades: California-based nonprofit donates medical supplies". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 3, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  59. ^ "Durant donates $1 million to tornado victims". Chicago Tribune. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  60. ^ "Continental Resources Supporting Oklahoma Tornado Relief With $2.5 Million Donation". WFSB. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  61. ^ "Devon Energy Pledges Millions To Tornado Disaster Relief". KWTV-DT. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  62. ^ "ONEOK to Donate $1 Million to Tornado Disaster-Relief Efforts in Oklahoma" (Press release). Tulsa, Oklahoma: ONEOK. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013. ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) today announced that the ONEOK Foundation will donate up to $1 million to support disaster-relief efforts in Oklahoma following this week's devastating tornado outbreak.
  63. ^ "Koch Industries, Inc. Donates to Oklahoma Tornado Relief". May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  64. ^ "Oklahoma tornadoes: Hobby Lobby pledges $2 million to tornado relief". The Oklahoman. May 25, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  65. ^ "Carrie Underwood's Incredibly Generous Donation to Oklahoma". Yahoo News. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  66. ^ "Oklahoma-Moore-Ordinance". WYFF TV. CNN. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  67. ^ Coulehan, Erin (May 31, 2013). "Blake Shelton Tornado Relief Concert Raises $6 Million". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 3, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2013 Moore tornado.

Videos

Maps

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2013_Moore_tornado&oldid=558569740"