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

[TexasF6]

I want the new outlook like now...can't sleep...

[southerngale]

My aunt lives in Blanket, TX and they had THREE tornado warnings over about about a three hour period this evening. Blanket is about halfway between Brownwood and Comanche. A school in Blanket was hit by a tornado earlier, but nothing like in Moore. They spent hours in the basement. Thank God they're ok! My heart goes out to everyone in Moore and I just can't stomach what happened at the schools.

glad they were ok, southergale.

Thanks, artist. Strangely enough, they only had a 20% chance of rain today. The severe weather wasn't supposed to reach that far south and they kept getting hit with severe weather. Blanket is about 150 miles SW of Dallas.

[cycloneye]

Sad news.

Oklahoma medical Examiner=20 children dead at school

[ravyrn]

I'm going to take moderate out looks very seriously now.

You should take slight risk very seriously. When we had the outbreak in DFW metroplex last year, we were under slight risk. Any risk for severe weather is a risk to take seriously. Our atmosphere is chaotic and unpredictable.

[CrazyC83]

Considering a Moderate is rare where I am, it is definitely worth taking seriously.

[EF-5bigj]

I'm nervous about any risk I will not be under the risk. But I have been more in tune with weather since the Dixie alley outbreak in April,2011.

[artist]

My aunt lives in Blanket, TX and they had THREE tornado warnings over about about a three hour period this evening. Blanket is about halfway between Brownwood and Comanche. A school in Blanket was hit by a tornado earlier, but nothing like in Moore. They spent hours in the basement. Thank God they're ok! My heart goes out to everyone in Moore and I just can't stomach what happened at the schools.

glad they were ok, southergale.

Thanks, artist. Strangely enough, they only had a 20% chance of rain today. The severe weather wasn't supposed to reach that far south and they kept getting hit with severe weather. Blanket is about 150 miles SW of Dallas.

yeah, I figured DFW area where I also have family would be hit this evening, but fortunately it did go further south. Unfortunate for those that live there though. I think I finally can get some sleep tonight. Hopefully tomorrow will be better weather wise. Hate to think of what all the news out of OK will be, though. (weird, page not loading fully here, had to reload, don't know what the problems are, every place else I am having no problems)

[Texas Snowman]

I want the new outlook like now...can't sleep...

Moderate risk for Dallas east and northeast into the Arklatex region.

Slight risk in the Red River Valley where I live (Sherman/Denison).

[Texas Snowman]

Praying that the fatality count doesn't go up any more from its current mark of 51 dead. (It hasn't gone up in two or three hours)

But the news is still grim out of Moore:

"@TWCBreaking: 11:22 pm CDT BREAKING: Oklahoma Medical Examiner says at least 20 children among the 51 killed by #Okla #tornado.

[EF-5bigj]

According to Fox News the medical examiner is expecting 40 dead

[CrazyC83]

Death toll now up to 91 according to CNN.

[EF-5bigj]

I am now worried the death toll will rise more 91 already

[CrazyC83]

I am now worried the death toll will rise more 91 already

I think it will at least approach, if not surpass, the 158 death toll from Joplin...

[CrazyC83]

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for OKC metro and south. Not going to help with recovery at all.

[EF-5bigj]

I'm thinking the same

[PTrackerLA]

Such a sad day. When I first saw the helicopter footage my heart sank knowing many would not have survived. The news kept focusing on the terrible tragedy of the elementary school but I couldn't help but wonder how many others didn't make it in all those demolished homes. Absolutely surreal devastation. Praying for the victims and their families tonight.

[Texas Snowman]

If that figure is accurate, the Moore tornado today is right now the third deadliest twister in Oklahoma history.

No. 1 is the Texas/Oklahoma/Kansas "Tri-State" tornado on April 9, 1947. Out of the 185 total victims of that f5 storm, some 107 died in and around Woodward which was decimated by the tornado.

No. 2 is the Snyder, OK tornado of May 10, 1905. It was an estimated F5 that killed 97 people.

As mentioned above, today's Moore tornado (91 and counting) is now the third deadliest tornado in Oklahoma history. It replaces the May 2, 1920 Peggs, OK tornado, an F4 that killed 71 people.

[Texas Snowman]

12:03 a.m. --- @koconews: #BREAKING -- M.E. spokeswoman says tornado death toll now 91 -- 51 confirmed, 40 more fatalities expected soon. #kocowx #tornado #Moore

[EF-5bigj]

Such a sad day. When I first saw the helicopter footage my heart sank knowing many would not have survived. The news kept focusing on the terrible tragedy of the elementary school but I couldn't help but wonder how many others didn't make it in all those demolished homes. Absolutely surreal devastation. Praying for the victims and their families tonight.

Same here You could tell not many people where going to live through it considering how violent it become The devastation is just unreal...

[Texas Snowman]

I've searched for the video but I can't find it right now - it's where OKC's KOCO-TV chief meteorologist Damon Lane (named their chief met just last fall) broadcast live as the tornado passed directly over his neighborhood.

FYI, his wife and their dogs were at their home at the time. They are ok, their house is ok, but many nearby in their neighborhood are not from what I've gathered.

I can't even imagine what he was thinking, how he was feeling, or how he remained able to do his job on the air.

A tweet from him earlier today: @KOCOdamonlane: 4 months ago I had a tornado shelter installed. You never imagine using it months after putting it in. Wow!"