Discussion (May 18-19-20-21) Moore Tornado EF-5 from NWS

[Ntxw]

KFOR from a person at/near the scene in one of the schools says there were children at the schools when it was hit, so disheartening.

[brunota2003]

Children were in the elementary school, they're pulling 3rd graders out as we speak.

[caneseddy]

The reporter on KFOR being interviewed was literally breaking down in tears while talking about the kids getting pulled out of school

Says in 18 years of following tornadoes, he has never seen anything like this

[Texas Snowman]

KFOR reporter weeping as he reports that there were students in at least one of the destroyed schools. Reports of "third graders" being pulled from the rubble. Sounded like he wasn't at the school yet, but said that what he was already seeing, it was the most horrific thing he has seen in 18 years of tornado coverage in OKC.

[RL3AO]

Just woke up. Unbelievable. I'm shaking.

[WeatherGuesser]

Did the radar site near Moore get hit by the tornado? Sorry if dumb question.

Still operating, so .....

[Cyclenall]

I heard on TWC that the Moore tornado at one point was 2.25 miles wide (Greensburg size).

That's even bigger than Greensburg, that one was "only" 1.7 miles wide. This was off the charts.

Did the radar site near Moore get hit by the tornado? Sorry if dumb question.

It lifted as it was approaching the site, and don't think anything ever touched down near it.

That's good, at least the area won't be blind or limited to further storms.

Jeff P is now sobbing on CNN live, saying Grade 3 students are being pulled out of the school (don't know alive or what), he is rushing to the scene as fast as possible. This is exactly like Joplin.

KFOR reporter

That was Jeff P I think.

[EF-5bigj]

This is just awful and storms are still going tornadic.

[caneseddy]

Injuries being reported at Plaza Towers Elementary

[Texas Snowman]

Carl Parker of The Weather Channel just told Brian Norcross that he fears this may be "one of the worst tornadoes in American history." Norcross agreed.

Pure speculation on their part, but what a horrific storm.

[Hurricane Alexis]

Looks like a tornado might be headed to Nowata or near from the looks of radar.

[MGC]

Heart and prayers go out to the people of Okalahoma, I have spent a good bit of time there and these people are amoung America's best.

The radar site is located at the airport in north Norman where the old NWS office was. I was in OKC about a month after the May 3, 1999 tornado. We drove down to the path that the tornado passed over and there was nothing but slabs. In 2003, I got to see my first tornado in Moore, which pased very near to the path the 1999 tornado did. Hopefully, the homes were build with safe rooms or basements because there appears to be no chance of survival if you were caught by this monster in the open.....MGC

[Texas Snowman]

Large tornado north of Tulsa. Tornado possibly on the ground near Meeker. Another large tornado could be approaching Paul's Valley. And a tornadic circulation near Ryan headed in the direction of Ardmore.

And it's just 4:41 p.m. in the afternoon.

EDIT: Talala, OK look out! Tornado very near there right now!

[EF-5bigj]

This is just tragic

[Texas Snowman]

KatyJBlakey/ KOCO: TORNADO: @KOCO_FastUnit5 is tracking rotation. Moving 35 mph, about to hit I-35 between Paoli & Pauls Valley. 4:41 #okwx

[WeatherGuesser]

[badger70]

KFOR re Plaza Tower Elem. School: thinks 75 children in the hallway when tornado hit. At least 15 still trapped.

[EF-5bigj]

Cars are demolished...everything is obliterated...

[Texas Snowman]

Stories of neighbors pounding on storm shelter doors as twister roared in, those inside didn't have strength to open the door.

At least 75 people inside one of those elementary schools destroyed.

Victims being transported in the back of pickups, on 4-wheelers, etc.

[brunota2003]

KFOR re Plaza Tower Elem. School: thinks 75 children in the hallway when tornado hit. At least 15 still trapped.

I'm understanding that they're still looking for most of the 75. They know of 30 kids pulled out, not sure if the 30 can be subtracted from the 75, or if there are still 75 more missing.