Oklahoma+Tornado+Outbreak+(1999)



What is a Tornado? A tornado is a spinning column of air that forms during a thunderstorm. These column of air extend from the sky and reach down to the ground. They move along the ground, leaving behind paths of destruction and ruin. Tornadoes can form virtually anywhere in the world, but the most significant and powerful tornadoes occur in the Midwest [1].

How Do Tornadoes Form? In terms of damage, tornadoes are the most destructive of all atmospheric storms [3]. Tornadoes form inside rotating thunderstorms, known as supercell thunderstorms [2]. These supercell thunderstorms contain powerful updrafts, which results in other meteorological events such as hail, flash floods, and lightning [3]. The rotation of the storm begins to form as a funnel cloud extending downward from the sky. Were it not for the debris that tornadoes accumulate, the funnel cloud would not be visible. The dark color that is typically associated with tornadoes results from the dust, dirt,and moisture that tornadoes collect [2]. The size of tornadoes varies from storm to storm. Most tornadoes average between one hundred yards and a mile wide. Tornadoes normally travel at a speed of thirty miles per hour, but can range anywhere from no movement to over 70 miles per hour [2]. In terms of lifespans, tornadoes do not last very long. A touchdown can last for just a few seconds, or over an hour, though most average at no more than ten minutes [2].

How is Their Strength Rated?

Invented by Dr. Theodore Fujita, the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale, or F-Scale, measures the damage left behind by a tornado [2]. Based on the damage, wind speeds can be estimated to help determine the place on the scale. New advancements in technology have led to the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) that more accurately assesses the damage caused by tornadoes [3]. These scales range from 0-5, 5 being the most destructive. EF Scale of Damage
 * EF Number || Damage ||
 * EF0 || The least amount of damage occurs from EF0 tornadoes. Things such as roof damage or broken branches can result. ||
 * EF1 || EF1's result in small, but significant damage. Entire roofs can be blown off or trees can fall over. ||
 * EF2 || This is the first level in which cars can be lifted. More severe structural damage can occur. ||
 * EF3 || EF3 tornadoes result in severe damage. Trains can be overturned and structural damage can effect large buildings like supermarkets. ||
 * EF4 || This level begins entire home destruction. EF4 tornadoes can completely destroy houses and cause severe and unfix-able damage. ||
 * EF5 || These are the most severe tornadoes, with winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. Houses can be blown away and cars can be hurtled through the air. This level tornado will cause devastating damage. ||

= May 3rd, 1999 = media type="youtube" key="E9NliYrCDlA?rel=0" width="560" height="315" align="center"

Over a period of twenty-four hours, 74 tornadoes touched down in Kansas and Oklahoma [4]. Never before had such an unusual and devastating event occurred. One of these tornadoes included an F5 scale tornado, which is the worst in terms of damage. This tornado lasted for over an hour and a half and left behind a thirty-eight mile long path of destruction [4]. One of the towns se verely damaged by this tornado was Moore, which was recently devastated by massive EF5 tornado. During this period, four tornadoes were reported to have been on the ground and causing destruction simultaneously [4]. Most of the storms were an F3 or higher on the Fujita Scale [6]. In the end, 46 people were left dead and over 800 were left injured [4], causing this tornado outbreak to be the deadliest of tornado events in history [6].



Meteorologists agree that the conditions in the area were just right for producing a severe weather outbreak. Key elements such as the right placement of troughs in the atmosphere, the jet stream, and low pressure were just right in order to produce the necessary supercell thunderstorms that produced the violent tornadoes [6]. The raging tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma and Kansas and destroyed over 8,000 homes and structures. Causing over 1.5 billion dollars in damages, the tornadoes devastated the areas and left thousands of people homeless. Although 46 deaths is a solemn and large number, the miracle lies in the amount of people that survived. Thousands of people were affected by the storm and many were injured, but most people escaped with their lives. This great fortune is attributed to the National Weather Service’s forewarnings of the storm [6]. They successfully alerted people in the area of the severe weather approaching and saved many people’s lives.

This event played a historic role in weather history. Never before had a monstrous event such as this occurred. Thanks to the many warnings issued before the storms hit, many lives were saved. The outcome of these tornadoes left a mark on the Midwest. In the future, warnings would be taken more seriously and carefully, and the people of the many surrounding states would better prepare should another horrific event like this arise once more.



Homepage By: **Emily Moore**

Works Cited:

[1] Tarp, Keli. "Clues from Climatology: When and Where Do Tornadoes Occur?." // NOAA //. N.p., 8 Oct 2001. Web. 30 May 2013.

[2] "About Tornadoes." // Weather Underground //. Weather Underground Inc., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.

[3] "Severe Weather 101: Tornado Basics." // NOAA //. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.

[4] "May 3, 1999 Oklahoma/Kansas Tornado Outbreak." // NSSL //. N.p.. Web. 30 May 2013.

[5] "The Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of May 3-4, 1999." // NOAA //. N.p., 22 Jun 2011. Web. 30 May 2013.

[6] Oklahoma/Kansas. Department of Commerce. // Oklahoma/Southern Kansas Tornado Outbreak of May 3, 1999 //. 1999. Web.