On May 3, 1999 a generational tornado outbreak impacted the Plains with a focus on Oklahoma. Continuing into the 4th before a break and additional tornadoes, 114 twisters occurred in this part of a sequence during the week.
71 tornadoes occurred on May 3 alone, making it the day with the most tornadoes on record for the state of Oklahoma with 58 there. It was also a day that started as a slight risk from the Storm Prediction Center, before subsequent outlooks went to moderate and then high.
The star of the outbreak was a ferocious F5 tornado that tore a deadly path from near Bridge Creek, through the city of Moore, and off to the northeast before it dissipated. Along its 37-mile track length, which occurred over an 85-minute period, the tornado killed 36 plus several more indirectly. Additionally, the 301 mph wind speed viewed by mobile Doppler radar arguably makes it the strongest tornado observed in modern times.
With a maximum width about 8/10ths of a mile, the tornado that struck Bridge Creek and Moore with F5 intensity was the deadliest to hit the country since one killed 42 people in the Terrible Tuesday outbreak of April 10, 1979. It would be the deadliest to strike until April 27, 2011, when individual tornadoes killed 64 and 72 in Dixie.
Three other violent tornadoes (all F4s) touched down from May 3-4. With the four violent tornadoes and 24 others rated strong (F2+), 28 significant tornadoes occurred in total. 47 people died in the outbreak overall.
Also be sure to check out NWS Norman’s detailed outbreak page as well as the NSSL summary. They’ve got everything and more.
Amber-Bridge Creek, OK F5
Live coverage from KFOR
A terrifying look and listen from inside the Moore F5
Multiple tornado intercepts by JR Hehnly
Helicopter footage
Damage in and around Moore
Cyril, Oklahoma (and more) by Val Caster (part 2|part 3)
Fort Cobb, Oklahoma by Jim Leanord
Cement, Oklahoma and beyond by Cloud 9 Tours
Chickasha, Oklahoma
Thanks to Ian Livingston for helping with the post!
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