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

[brunota2003]

The hospital in Moore took a direct hit, it looks like. I couldn't see how damaged it was, but everything around it was leveled.

I wonder what the building code was, probably enough to withstand over 300 MPH winds. Insane though. There aren't very many reports of any deaths or what's going on in general, could that mean its so bad that rescue crews can't even access certain points? Like a hurricane.

There is a supercell with a hook on it heading in Joplin's general area. If that thing hits as a tornado, I'm probably just going to take my hand to prop my jaw from off the floor for the rest of the month.

Not sure, like I said, I didn't get a look at it. If it was on the edge, it might have missed the strongest winds. As far as reports, it'll be a while. There were reports of a couple schools flattened, with kids trapped. Rescue workers were trying to figure out how to get through the debris to get to the kids. One farm owner reported he had 75 to 100 horses killed, and rescue workers just can't get into the scenes.

[Texas Snowman]

I remember that after the 1999 Moore tornado that first responders talked about how difficult it was to respond because they couldn't figure out where they were - buildings were gone, landmarks were gone, cross-street signs were gone.

I would imagine that would be less of a problem with GPS equipped units today but I'm sure the on-the-ground effect of "Where am I?" is still very real.

[Texas Snowman]

@McMurphyESPN: KFOR reporter on Moore, Okla. tornado: "There's nothing left. It's just bare ground. It even ripped the grass up"

[Bunkertor]

Jeff P on CNN stating, another mile-wide tornado on the ground that he is going to catch up to soon, unreal . Don't know the location. Jeff P is one of the best, God speed to him.

Is this from the SW Moore system ?

[EF-5bigj]

I'm seeing more tornado warned storms to...

[CrazyC83]

More violent tornadoes developing, one north of Tulsa.

[EF-5bigj]

These super cells are just monsters...

[CrazyC83]

@McMurphyESPN: KFOR reporter on Moore, Okla. tornado: "There's nothing left. It's just bare ground. It even ripped the grass up"

That sounds like EF-5 damage.

[Texas Snowman]

Tornado warned cell near Brownwood, Texas right now. That supercell is by itself, may move towards DFW area later.

[artist]

The hospital in Moore took a direct hit, it looks like. I couldn't see how damaged it was, but everything around it was leveled.

I wonder what the building code was, probably enough to withstand over 300 MPH winds. Insane though. There aren't very many reports of any deaths or what's going on in general, could that mean its so bad that rescue crews can't even access certain points? Like a hurricane.

There is a supercell with a hook on it heading in Joplin's general area. If that thing hits as a tornado, I'm probably just going to take my hand to prop my jaw from off the floor for the rest of the month.

FAmily in OKC said they are trying to figure out how to get through the debris at the schools to get to the kids.

[CrazyC83]

They are now reporting fatalities. It was obvious there would be some, we can only pray the number is low and pray for all the victims.

[Texas Snowman]

TWC Breaking ‏@TWCBreaking: At 4:12pm, Oklahoma City's main airport (Will Rogers) reported damaging 2"-diameter hail from a new cell

[EF-5bigj]

Cars look like they just went through a grinder.

[Texas Snowman]

Supercell radar shot of the Moore storm before it hit there.

EDIT: I'm hearing that portions of Newcastle also took a bad hit from this storm. Heard where one subdivision was pretty well wiped out although it wasn't completely occupied yet.

[Portastorm]

They are now reporting fatalities. It was obvious there would be some, we can only pray the number is low and pray for all the victims.

Amen and Amen!

Some of the early photos I've seen are jaw dropping ... and horrific. Entire neighborhoods completely gone ... houses down to the slab.

[Cyclenall]

More violent tornadoes developing, one north of Tulsa.

Yep, 8 TOR warnings at once now, the most since April 14, 2012 I think. And the answer to that eariler question of whether a F5/EF5 has hit the same place twice, I don't know of any, this is unprecedented and likely there are people who now have lived through two F5/EF5 tornadoes now...something I can't wrap my head around.

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

[brunota2003]

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

[TropicalAnalystwx13]

This tornado was an EF5. There's nothing left.

[EF-5bigj]

According to KFOR chances of survival are bad...

[brunota2003]

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.