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

[caneseddy]

4 bodies pulled out from the 7-11, including a 7 month old baby...apparently it seems they were trying to get into the freezer, per KFOR

[cycloneye]

Photos and videos are being posted at the sticky thread so If anyone has those don't hesitate to post them.

[CrazyC83]

Now it looks like the outbreak is moving south.

[WeatherGuesser]

In addition to everything else, it looks like 4-5" of rain in some places.

[Bunkertor]

This is in my backyard (I live in the Red River Valley in Denison):

MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0732
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0534 PM CDT MON MAY 20 2013

SUMMARY...THE ENVIRONMENT FOR LONG-LIVED SUPERCELLS CAPABLE OF A
STRONG TORNADO OR TWO APPEAR TO BE MAXIMIZING NEAR THE RED RIVER
OVER THE NEXT 1-2 HRS.

Um, snowman, what does maximizing mean in this context. Does it mean maximizing towards the scale in general or towards the upper end of the prediction ?

[caneseddy]

Oh my god......24 bodies found at Plaza Towers elementary school...switched to search and recovery

KFOR reporters breaking down with the news

[EF-5bigj]

Rotation to the south of Joplin.

[WeatherGuesser]

Should go well to the south though.

[EF-5bigj]

Thank goodness Dr.greg Forbes said its like nothing he has ever seen.

[artist]

7 drowned, may be up to 30 more in the school

[TwisterFanatic]

7 kids drowned in the bottom of a school?

[Ntxw]

7 kids drowned in the bottom of a school?

That is what KFOR reported, 7 children drowned at the bottom of the school and possibly up to 30 dead. I think this is the Plaza Elementary school

[EF-5bigj]

Vehicles mangled beyond recognition...

[cycloneye]

We may get more information at 8:30 PM EDT when the authorities will hold a news conference.

[Infdidoll]

Incredibly, incredibly sad day. I've been following this outbreak on The Weather Channel since about 3 p.m. It was breaking news about the tornado that hit Moore and I was in complete shock over the appearance of it on radar. Definitely one of the strongest tornadoes I've personally seen on radar.

Hearing about the children killed is devastating. The person doing the reporting on the Weather Channel with the helicopter was outstanding and Lance West is a phenomenal reporter. It's been a long time since I heard reporters unable to hold back emotion.

[cycloneye]

Oh no.

@AP

BREAKING: State medical examiner's office: 37 killed in Oklahoma tornado; death toll expected to rise -RJJ

[Texas Snowman]

EDIT: Same info posted above.

Interesting tweet from Joe Bastardi:

@BigJoeBastardi: "I think that on days NOAA has moderate or greater risk area,perhaps we should treat it as if a snow storm in on the way, and keep kids hom"

[CrazyC83]

EDIT: Same info posted above.

Interesting tweet from Joe Bastardi:

@BigJoeBastardi: "I think that on days NOAA has moderate or greater risk area,perhaps we should treat it as if a snow storm in on the way, and keep kids hom"

The EF-4 last week happened on a Slight Risk day though. Move that over a major metro and the death toll would be just as enormous.

[CrazyC83]

This is Joplin all over again. I'd be shocked if the death toll is less than 100.

[gboudx]

Email from jeff:

Incredible tornado impact across Moore, OK.

37 fatal, 61 injured. Given the gravity of the widespread devastation these numbers are going to be horribly high.

An estimated 4000-8000 structures has been damaged or destroyed over a 60 square mile area.