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Weather event in the United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The tornado outbreak sequence of May 5–10, 2015 was a six-day outbreak of tornado activity that affected the Great Plains of the United States in early May 2015. On May 6, strong tornadoes impacted the Oklahoma City area, along with rural parts of Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The outbreak coincided with major flooding, with large amounts of rain falling in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.[1] The National Weather Service forecast office in Norman, Oklahoma issued a "flash flood emergency" for Oklahoma City following record-breaking rainfall that occurred in the area that evening.[2] The outbreak sequence resulted in five tornado-related deaths, along with two flood-related deaths. A total of 127 tornadoes were confirmed and rated as a result of this outbreak sequence.[3][4] Damage from the outbreak was estimated at $1.5 billion.[5]
EF3 tornado near Mount Hope, Kansas | |
| Type | Tornado outbreak Winter storm |
|---|---|
| Duration | May 5, 2015 – May 10, 2015 |
| Tornadoes confirmed | 127 |
| Max. rating1 | EF3 tornado |
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 | 5 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 2 feet (24 in) near areas of Denver, Colorado |
| Fatalities | Fatalities:
Injuries:
|
| Damage | $1.5 billion |
| Areas affected | Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2015 and 2014–15 North American winter 1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado | |
In addition, the system responsible for the outbreak produced a prolific winter storm in Colorado, with some areas receiving up to 2 feet (24 in) of snow.
On May 6, a series of severe thunderstorms produced flash flooding, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes in Oklahoma and western north Texas. In Oklahoma, this event was brought on by a shortwave moving through the area. With over 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h) of effective bulk shear present, moist air was being advected into the area from the southeast, and the CAPE was over 2000 J/kg.[6] Kansas's first tornado of the day was an EF0 that developed in Lincoln County and caused minor damage at a cemetery within the town of Lincoln, Kansas.[7] In Oklahoma, severe weather first appeared in southwestern parts of Oklahoma near Lawton, with the first Severe Thunderstorm Warning of the day being issued at 12:46 p.m. CDT and the first Tornado Warning being issued at 3:45 p.m. CDT.[6] An EF3 tornado developed near Mount Hope, Kansas tracked through Harvey County, crossing Highway 50 west of Halstead and dissipating as it headed north, causing major tree damage and destroying a farmhouse.[7] A long-tracked EF2 passed near Scandia, Kansas and into Nebraska, while another EF3 completely destroyed a house near Munden, Kansas. Other storms later developed in north-central parts of the Oklahoma and south of the Red River, and supercells dropped strong tornadoes in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area along with as much as 4–7 inches (100–180 mm) of rain. One of these tornadoes caused EF3 damage and several critical injuries in the southeastern part of Oklahoma City, and another EF3 struck Bridge Creek. As a result of heavy flooding, multiple Flash Flood Warnings, including a flash flood emergency, were issued for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, and in the hours following midnight, the storms merged into a complex and maintained eastward movement.[6][8] Oklahoma City recorded their 3rd wettest day on record, and wettest day on record in the month of May.[9]
A few less intense tornadoes occurred on May 7 and May 8 across an area extending from Colorado to Texas. Another wave of significant tornado activity occurred on May 9 throughout an area extending from Nebraska to Texas.[10] This included a large EF3 tornado that caused major damage and killed one person near Cisco, Texas.[11]
Destructive tornado activity continued on May 10, as a high-end EF2 tornado struck the town of Delmont, South Dakota, where severe structural damage and multiple injuries occurred. Later that evening, an EF1 multiple-vortex tornado struck Lake City, Iowa, where homes were damaged, trees and power lines were downed, and the local high school had its roof torn off.[12] Significant tornadoes continued to touch down after sunset later that night, and the town of Van, Texas was devastated by a strong EF3 tornado, where two people were killed and at least 47 others were injured. Two other fatalities occurred in Nashville, Arkansas when an EF2 tornado struck a mobile home park.[13]
The system also produced a prolific winter storm in the mountainous regions further west. It dropped snowfall up to 2 feet (24 in) in areas around Denver, in pretty much the same spots and time that a winter storm impacted a year prior.[14] It first started spreading snow in the Sierra Mountains from May 6–9. Afterwards, it began to move northeastwards towards the High Plains. The snowstorm dumped up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains of Colorado and up to 12 inches in the lower elevations.
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 86 | 27 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 127 |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | WSW of Roswell | Chaves | NM | 33.3708°N 104.5708°W | 1855 – 1856 | 0.15 mi (0.24 km) | 15 yd (14 m) | $20,000 | A cold air funnel briefly touched down, damaging the roofs and walls of two outbuildings. | [15][16] |
| EF1 | N of Big Spring to ENE of Luther | Howard | TX | 32.4493°N 101.5473°W | 2023 – 2050 | 8.12 mi (13.07 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $5,000 | A couple of power poles were snapped near the base by this large stovepipe tornado. | [17][18] |
| EF0 | W of Owens | Crosby | TX | 33.57°N 101.41°W | 0024 – 0027 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | A storm chaser observed a narrow tornado that touched down for three minutes in open country. | [19][20] |
| EF0 | SW of Owens to SSW of Owens | Crosby | TX | 33.48°N 101.43°W | 0027 – 0033 | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | The previous tornado roped out and merged with a new tornado, which crossed Texas State Highway 207. No damage was observed. | [19][21] |
| EF0 | N of Sterling City | Sterling | TX | 32.032°N 101.0334°W | 0059 – 0100 | 0.83 mi (1.34 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A brief tornado touched down for about one minute on Texas State Highway 163. | [19][22] |
| EF0 | SW of Silver to SSW of Silver | Coke | TX | 32.0221°N 100.7302°W | 0217 – 0224 | 1.09 mi (1.75 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A brief, intermittent tornado was reported. | [19][23] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | S of Kellyville | Creek | OK | 35.8656°N 96.2274°W | 0758 – 0800 | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | A couple of hardwood trees were split and large tree limbs were downed. | [24] |
| EF0 | Lincoln | Lincoln | KS | 38.9057°N 98.1893°W | 1924 – 1937 | 10.72 mi (17.25 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $25,000 | Multiple-vortex tornado. A sheet metal roof was blown across the street at a farmstead, and several trees were snapped at a cemetery in town. | [25] |
| EF0 | ENE of Apache | Caddo | OK | 34.89°N 98.3159°W | 1945 – 1947 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Trees were damaged by this tornado. | [26] |
| EF0 | NW of Cyril | Caddo | OK | 34.9409°N 98.2499°W | 1953 – 1955 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A tornado was broadcast on live television via news helicopter. It remained over open fields and caused no damage. | [27] |
| EF0 | WSW of Ionia | Jewell | KS | 39.6351°N 98.4373°W | 2031 – 2034 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [28] |
| EF2 | W of Mankato to N of Burr Oak | Jewell | KS | 39.7781°N 98.3652°W | 2055 – 2121 | 12.58 mi (20.25 km) | 350 yd (320 m) | $1,500,000 | At least four homes sustained damage to their roofs, windows, or siding, including one that had a large section of its roof removed. A garage was destroyed, with inside vehicles moved 30–50 ft (9.1–15.2 m). Other outbuildings, trees, power poles, and trees were damaged or destroyed. | [29] |
| EF1 | Roseland | Adams | NE | 40.4321°N 98.5591°W | 2118 – 2128 | 3.87 mi (6.23 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | $1,500,000 | High-end EF1 tornado moved directly through town. Several homes and outbuildings sustained damage, of which two houses sustained considerable damage. One of those two homes was unanchored and slid off of its foundation, while the second lost its entire roof structure. A large metal building with wood post frame construction was destroyed. Widespread tree damage was observed, irrigation pivots were damaged, and a train car was derailed as well. | [30] |
| EF3 | E of Amber to NNE of Bridge Creek | Grady | OK | 35.1576°N 97.8032°W | 2133 – 2226 | 10.3 mi (16.6 km) | 1,500 yd (1,400 m) | Unknown | A large multiple-vortex wedge tornado caused significant damage to numerous homes and other structures in Bridge Creek. Trees and power poles were snapped, mobile homes were completely destroyed, and frame homes were heavily damaged, a few of which lost roofs and exterior walls. One poorly-anchored frame home was leveled, and vehicles from some residences were tossed over 100 yards away. A total of 1,500 homes and mobile home were damaged by the tornado, including 200 that were severely damaged or destroyed. Outbuildings were destroyed as well. | [31][32] |
| EF0 | S of Ringwood | Major | OK | 36.3076°N 98.25°W | 2137 – 2138 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [33] |
| EF1 | S of Bostwick to SSW of Nelson | Nuckolls | NE | 40.0105°N 98.1705°W | 2138 – 2154 | 9.47 mi (15.24 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $250,000 | Pivots were overturned, power poles were snapped, and trees were damaged. A home sustained damage to its porch. | [34] |
| EF2 | ENE of Webber, KS to NW of Deshler, NE | Jewell (KS), Republic (KS), Nuckolls (NE) | KS, NE | 39.9476°N 97.9662°W | 2148 – 2219 | 20.12 mi (32.38 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | $4,250,000 | Large wedge tornado. Numerous pivots were overturned, power poles were snapped, and widespread tree damage occurred. A few buildings sustained minor damage in the town of Hardy, Nebraska. Several outbuildings and grain bins were damaged or destroyed, and a few homes lost portions of their roofs in rural areas as well. | [35][36] [37][38] |
| EF0 | E of Amber | Grady | OK | 35.1877°N 97.7982°W | 2148 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A storm chaser observed a satellite tornado in conjunction with the previous EF3 tornado east of Amber. | [39] |
| EF3 | SSE of Mount Hope to NE of Burrton | Sedgwick, Harvey | KS | 37.8404°N 97.6507°W | 2149 – 2217 | 16.48 mi (26.52 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | $630,000 | Three center pivot irrigation systems were damaged. At one farmstead, a single car detached garage was damaged and a carport was ripped from a barn. At a second farmstead, an unanchored home was leveled and swept from its foundation, another home sustained significant damage, and a barn was rendered a complete loss. A small hog barn had its roof ripped off. Numerous large trees were snapped and sustained some debarking. | [40][41] |
| EF1 | E of Formoso | Jewell | KS | 39.7484°N 97.9644°W | 2154 – 2204 | 4.28 mi (6.89 km) | 250 yd (230 m) | $250,000 | A home sustained roof, window, and siding damage, tree and power line damage was observed, and an outbuildings was destroyed. | [42] |
| EF1 | SE of Randall | Jewell | KS | 39.583°N 97.9497°W | 2204 – 2210 | 3.11 mi (5.01 km) | 60 yd (55 m) | $5,000 | Damage was confined to trees along the path. | [43] |
| EF1 | NNW of Courtland | Republic | KS | 39.814°N 97.93°W | 2208 – 2215 | 2.13 mi (3.43 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Unknown | The first of a pair of twin tornadoes was reported by storm chasers. Damage was minor. | [44] |
| EF0 | N of Courtland | Republic | KS | 39.8563°N 97.8952°W | 2210 – 2215 | 3.15 mi (5.07 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Unknown | The second of twin tornadoes was reported by storm chasers. Little to no damage occurred. | [45] |
| EF0 | SSW of Carrier | Garfield | OK | 36.4533°N 98.0338°W | 2215 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [46] |
| EF2 | S of Courtland, KS to SE of Hebron, NE | Republic (KS), Thayer (NE) | KS, NE | 39.6838°N 97.8974°W | 2220 – 2319 | 36.24 mi (58.32 km) | 800 yd (730 m) | $1,000,000 | Large wedge tornado. An ethanol plant and a home sustained EF2 damage near Scandia, Kansas, while a feedlot and several other houses were impacted less severely. The tornado crossed into Nebraska and passed near Chester, damaging trees, power poles, grain bins, irrigation pivots, and partially blowing the roof off of a house. | [47][48] |
| EF0 | W of Carleton | Thayer | NE | 40.2767°N 97.7467°W | 2226 – 2230 | 1.79 mi (2.88 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $500,000 | A few train cars and irrigation pivots were overturned. | [49] |
| EF0 | NNW of Byron | Thayer | NE | 40.013°N 97.7821°W | 2228 – 2231 | 1.04 mi (1.67 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [50] |
| EF1 | Southeastern Newcastle | McClain | OK | 35.2202°N 97.5783°W | 2233 – 2239 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Unknown | Two outbuildings lost their roofs or were destroyed. | [51] |
| EF0 | N of Viola | Sedgwick | KS | 37.56°N 97.63°W | 2238 – 2240 | 0.32 mi (0.51 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [52] |
| EF0 | W of Grand Island | Hall | NE | 40.9107°N 98.4406°W | 2245 | 0.01 mi (0.016 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | $0 | A trained storm spotter reported a brief tornado. | [53] |
| EF0 | Western Norman | McClain | OK | 35.233°N 97.5344°W | 2246 – 2247 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Unknown | Damage to trees and fencing was observed in the outskirts of Norman. | [54] |
| EF1 | Northwestern Norman | Cleveland | OK | 35.2453°N 97.4974°W | 2253 – 2310 | 3.25 mi (5.23 km) | 1,000 yd (910 m) | Unknown | Large rain-wrapped tornado. Numerous trees, fences, and power poles were damaged. Several homes had their roofs damaged. HVAC equipment was damaged and light poles were downed at a hospital. A hotel sustained damage to its exterior. | [55] |
| EF0 | ESE of Seiling | Dewey | OK | 36.0946°N 98.7545°W | 2333 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [56] |
| EF0 | NNW of Verden | Caddo | OK | 35.1228°N 98.13°W | 2341 – 2349 | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $0 | Large, potentially significant tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [57] |
| EF0 | SSW of Wakita | Grant | OK | 36.8131°N 97.9546°W | 2356 – 2357 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | $0 | A storm chaser observed a brief tornado. | [58] |
| EF3 | S of Munden | Republic | KS | 39.8584°N 97.5478°W | 0014 – 0017 | 1.87 mi (3.01 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Unknown | A farmhouse was swept away by this brief but high-end EF3 tornado, with mature trees on the property snapped and debarked. Debris from the house was tossed northeast upward of 100–200 yd (91–183 m). The house was bolted to its foundation, but the two vehicles parked at the residence were only slightly moved, and close inspection revealed that explosive failure of the home's attached garage caused the entire structure to disintegrate, preventing a rating higher than EF3. | [59] |
| EF0 | SW of Narka | Republic | KS | 39.9513°N 97.4436°W | 0028 | 0.01 mi (0.016 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tree limbs were downed by this brief, weak tornado. | [60] |
| EF0 | SW of Anthony | Harper | KS | 37.09°N 98.12°W | 0035 – 0036 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [61] |
| EF1 | N of Norway | Republic | KS | 39.7119°N 97.7802°W | 0038 – 0044 | 2.38 mi (3.83 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $0 | Tornado caused damage to grain bins. | [62] |
| EF0 | SE of Tuttle | Grady | OK | 35.2534°N 97.7779°W | 0049 – 0051 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | Unknown | Two homes sustained minor damage and trees were uprooted. Some damage was reported at the Tiger Safari Zoological Park. | [63] |
| EF0 | E of Tuttle to NNE of Bridge Creek | Grady | OK | 35.2977°N 97.741°W | 0111 – 0121 | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $0 | Damage was confined to trees along the path. | [64] |
| EF1 | NE of Jamestown | Cloud | KS | 39.5388°N 97.444°W | 0133 – 0134 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $0 | Outbuildings were damaged by the tornado. | [65] |
| EF0 | S of Minneapolis | Ottawa | KS | 39.0601°N 97.7064°W | 0138 | 0.02 mi (0.032 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [66] |
| EF3 | Southeastern Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | OK | 35.4061°N 97.4769°W | 0141 – 0148 | 2 mi (3.2 km) | 700 yd (640 m) | Unknown | A strong tornado touched down in the southeastern part of Oklahoma City just north of Valley Brook, severely damaging an RV park, a mobile home park, a hotel, and several self-storage units. Numerous walls on the second floor of the hotel were collapsed, and a few frame homes were damaged as well. Multiple vehicles were flipped and at least 12 people were injured, some critically. | [67][68] |
| EF2 | NNW of Archer City | Archer | TX | 33.6434°N 98.7318°W | 0149 – 0225 | 12 mi (19 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | Unknown | Transmission lines were downed by this tornado. | [69] |
| EF0 | NNW of Wells | Ottawa | KS | 39.1756°N 97.5607°W | 0155 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [70] |
| EF0 | SW of Morrowville | Washington | KS | 39.785°N 97.2698°W | 0210 – 0219 | 6.04 mi (9.72 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Weak tornado caused minor tree damage. | [71] |
| EF0 | NE of Aurora | Cloud | KS | 39.3941°N 97.4673°W | 0227 – 0241 | 8.8 mi (14.2 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $0 | Weak tornado damaged tree limbs. | [72] |
| EF0 | W of Throckmorton | Throckmorton | TX | 33.183°N 99.3198°W | 0237 – 0248 | 3.39 mi (5.46 km) | 440 yd (400 m) | $0 | Large tornado remained over an open field, causing no damage. | [73] |
| EF1 | E of Clyde | Washington | KS | 39.5963°N 97.3324°W | 0256 – 0305 | 4.05 mi (6.52 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | Unknown | Tornado downed several power poles. | [74] |
| EF0 | WNW of Throckmorton | Throckmorton | TX | 33.25°N 99.34°W | 0300 – 0305 | 1.18 mi (1.90 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [75] |
| EF0 | NW of Washington | Washington | KS | 39.8474°N 97.0883°W | 0336 – 0337 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [76] |
| EF1 | NW of Cortland to WSW of Holland | Gage, Lancaster | NE | 40.5058°N 96.7087°W | 0349 – 0359 | 7.67 mi (12.34 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | $0 | Outbuildings, trees, and sheds sustained minor damage. The roofs of homes on farmsteads were damaged, and high-tension power lines were downed. | [77][78] |
| EF0 | NW of Elbert | Throckmorton | TX | 33.3129°N 99.0496°W | 0400 – 0401 | 0.01 mi (0.016 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over an open field, causing no damage. | [79] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | NW of Copeland | Haskell | KS | 37.5998°N 100.6801°W | 2045 – 2055 | 0.48 mi (0.77 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | The first of five landspout tornadoes was reported by an emergency manager. It remained over open country and caused no damage. | [80] |
| EF0 | NNE of Copeland | Gray | KS | 37.6081°N 100.588°W | 2100 – 2105 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | The second of five landspout tornadoes was reported by an emergency manager. It remained over open country and caused no damage. | [81] |
| EF0 | WNW of Montezuma | Gray | KS | 37.618°N 100.5596°W | 2100 – 2106 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | The third of five landspout tornadoes was reported by an emergency manager. It remained over open country and caused no damage. | [82] |
| EF0 | NNE of Copeland | Gray | KS | 37.6201°N 100.54°W | 2101 – 2105 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | The fourth of five landspout tornadoes was reported by an emergency manager. It remained over open country and caused no damage. | [83] |
| EF1 | NE of Copeland | Gray | KS | 37.6042°N 100.5349°W | 2102 – 2108 | 0.24 mi (0.39 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $40,000 | The final of five landspout tornadoes caused EF1 damage to well-built building, tractor, and home. | [84] |
| EF1 | SE of Walsh | Baca | CO | 37.0839°N 102.1137°W | 2259 – 2301 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $3,000 | A windmill was damaged by this tornado. | [85] |
| EF0 | S of Fort Lupton | Weld | CO | 40.04°N 104.81°W | 0036 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [86] |
| EF1 | N of Rhome | Wise | TX | — | 2345 – 2353 | 3.37 mi (5.42 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $250,000 | Two mobile homes were destroyed while twelve others were damaged by this large multiple-vortex tornado. Several power poles and power lines were damaged. | [87] |
| EF1 | W of Krum to NW of Sanger | Denton | TX | — | 0045 – 0105 | 12.7 mi (20.4 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | $210,000 | Several barns sustained substantial damage, and several homes had their roofs damaged by this large multiple-vortex tornado. A metal storage tank was lifted and thrown into a high tension power line, causing the steel beams to collapse. Open farm and ranch land was damaged. | [88] |
| EF0 | NNW of Runaway Bay | Wise | TX | — | 0200 – 0202 | 0.29 mi (0.47 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A few trees sustained minimal damage. | [89] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | WNW of Vernon | Wilbarger | TX | — | 2122 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [90] |
| EF1 | SW of Vernon | Wilbarger | TX | — | 2128 – 2136 | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Trees and the roof of a metal building were damaged by this tornado. | [91] |
| EF0 | NNE of Haynesville | Wichita | TX | — | 2221 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A metal outbuilding sustained minor damage. | [92] |
| EF0 | E of O'Brien | Haskell | TX | 33.3809°N 99.7859°W | 2230 – 2231 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 35 yd (32 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [93] |
| EF0 | W of Randlett | Cotton | OK | — | 2304 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Road signs were damaged by this tornado. | [94] |
| EF0 | ESE of Randlett | Cotton | OK | — | 2316 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [95] |
| EF0 | NW of Throckmorton | Throckmorton | TX | 33.31°N 99.34°W | 2322 – 2323 | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) | 35 yd (32 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [96] |
| EF0 | W of Waurika | Jefferson | OK | — | 2340 | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado crossed U.S. Route 70, causing no damage. | [97] |
| EF0 | NW of Throckmorton | Throckmorton | TX | 33.19°N 99.19°W | 2340 – 2341 | 0.19 mi (0.31 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [98] |
| EF0 | E of Waurika | Jefferson | OK | — | 0008 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [99] |
| EF0 | S of La Junta | Otero | CO | 37.8953°N 103.575°W | 0012 – 0014 | 0.82 mi (1.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [100] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF3 | NE of Nimrod to SSE of Cisco | Eastland | TX | 32.3032°N 99.0133°W | 2132–2152 | 3.79 mi (6.10 km) | 1,400 yd (1,300 m) | $400,000 | 1 death – A large stovepipe tornado destroyed several homes near Cisco, including one that was leveled. An unanchored hunting lodge was swept completely away, and numerous trees were denuded and partially debarked as well. A large concrete power pole was snapped, and vehicles and farm equipment were tossed more than 1 mi (1.6 km). An elderly woman was killed in the destruction of her mobile home, and one other person was critically injured. | [101][102] |
| EF0 | S of Karval | Lincoln | CO | 38.53°N 103.50°W | 2140 | 0.01 mi (0.016 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [103] |
| EF0 | W of Truckton | El Paso | CO | 38.715°N 104.325°W | 2141–2146 | 3.32 mi (5.34 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [104] |
| EF0 | NNE of Lindsay | Cooke | TX | 33.69°N 97.21°W | 2155–2157 | 0.68 mi (1.09 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | $0 | A brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [105] |
| EF0 | SE of Eads | Kiowa | CO | 38.43°N 102.69°W | 2227–2235 | 1.07 mi (1.72 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Large cone tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [106] |
| EF0 | S of Matheson | Elbert | CO | 39.04°N 103.95°W | 2230 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [107] |
| EF0 | E of Thackerville | Love | OK | 33.79°N 97.1226°W | 2230 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | A brief tornado caused minor tree damage. | [108] |
| EF0 | ENE of Matheson | Elbert | CO | 39.22°N 103.84°W | 2240 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [109] |
| EF0 | N of Chivington | Kiowa, Cheyenne | CO | 38.5613°N 102.6073°W | 2250–2306 | 11.06 mi (17.80 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, though it caused some damage to fencing. | [110][111] |
| EF0 | SE of Marietta | Love | OK | 33.8684°N 97.0337°W | 2250 | 0.3 mi (0.48 km) | 30 yd (27 m) | $0 | A brief tornado caused minor tree damage. | [112] |
| EF0 | WNW of Burkburnett | Wichita | TX | 34.11°N 98.63°W | 2257–2304 | 3.25 mi (5.23 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [113] |
| EF0 | W of Randlett | Cotton | OK | 34.18°N 98.53°W | 2309–2311 | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | A stovepipe tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [114] |
| EF0 | N of Willis | Marshall | OK | 33.92°N 96.83°W | 2324–2330 | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $0 | A stovepipe tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [115] |
| EF0 | SSE of Firstview | Cheyenne | CO | 38.7834°N 102.512°W | 2335–2338 | 1.04 mi (1.67 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | $0 | Intermittent tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [116] |
| EF0 | NE of Huckabay | Erath | TX | 32.35°N 98.35°W | 2358–2359 | 0.29 mi (0.47 km) | 80 yd (73 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [117] |
| EF1 | SSW of Silo to ENE of Durant | Bryan | OK | 34.0266°N 96.4867°W | 0025–0035 | 5.25 mi (8.45 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Unknown | Two homes, including one mobile home, were damaged and numerous trees were downed. | [118] |
| EF0 | N of Collyer | Trego | KS | 39.0617°N 100.1198°W | 0028–0040 | 3.95 mi (6.36 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [119] |
| EF0 | SSW of Saint Peter | Graham | KS | 39.14°N 100.12°W | 0055–0106 | 2.8 mi (4.5 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [120] |
| EF0 | NE of Monument Rocks | Gove | KS | 38.86°N 100.69°W | 0100–0115 | 5.67 mi (9.12 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [121] |
| EF0 | N of Elk City | Beckham, Roger Mills | OK | 40.24°N 99.54°W | 0124–0126 | 2.01 mi (3.23 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Some trees and a cattle feeder were damaged by this tornado. | [122][123] |
| EF0 | E of Stamford | Harlan | NE | 40.13°N 99.5501°W | 0125–0127 | 0.28 mi (0.45 km) | 15 yd (14 m) | $0 | A brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [124] |
| EF0 | E of Oxford | Harlan | NE | 40.24°N 99.54°W | 0136 | 0.01 mi (0.016 km) | 15 yd (14 m) | $0 | A brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [125] |
| EF1 | S of Grinnell | Gove | KS | 38.86°N 100.69°W | 0138–0158 | 6.07 mi (9.77 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $50,000 | Tornado caused minor roof damage and overturned irrigation pivots along its path. | [126] |
| EF0 | ENE of Angelus to ESE of Rexford | Sheridan | KS | 38.86°N 100.69°W | 0212–0250 | 13.88 mi (22.34 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [127] |
| EF2 | NE of Menlo to ESE of Rexford | Sheridan, Decatur | KS | 39.41°N 100.68°W | 0250–0328 | 18.75 mi (30.18 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $75,000 | Multiple-vortex tornado remained mainly over open country, though relatively minor damage took place near Selden and a barn elsewhere was destroyed. | [128] |
| EF1 | WSW of Oberlin to SSE of Traer | Decatur | KS | 39.80°N 100.62°W | 0343–0404 | 11.74 mi (18.89 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $6,000 | Tornado remained mainly over open country, but snapped multiple power poles along its path. | [129] |
| EF0 | SSW of McCook | Red Willow | NE | 40.11°N 100.65°W | 0420–0430 | 4.22 mi (6.79 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | $0 | Intermittent tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [130] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Damage[note 2] | Summary | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | SE of McAlester Regional Airport | Pittsburg | OK | 34.8727°N 95.7721°W | 1401–1404 | 3.8 mi (6.1 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | $35,000 | A tornado destroyed a barn, rolled a horse trailer, and toppled a grain silo. | [131] |
| EF2 | E of Wagner to N of Delmont | Charles Mix, Douglas | SD | 43.092°N 98.232°W | 1521–1553 | 16.16 mi (26.01 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | $1,500,000 | A high-end EF2 tornado struck Delmont directly. South of town, a house had its roof torn off and outbuildings were destroyed. Within Delmont, at least 20 structures were heavily damaged or destroyed, including a large church, the fire department, and several homes. A few small and frail cottage-type homes were leveled or swept away, and trees were snapped and stripped of foliage. Farm fields were scoured north of town before the tornado dissipated. Nine people were injured. | [67][132][133][134] |
| EF0 | WNW of Dimock | Hutchinson, Davison | SD | 43.49°N 98.08°W | 1615–1623 | 4.18 mi (6.73 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [135][136][137] |
| EF1 | N of Argyle to Denton | Denton | TX | 33.132°N 97.183°W | 1916–1926 | 5.19 mi (8.35 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $3,500,000 | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. A home sustained damage to its roof, siding, awning, and gutters. One fast food restaurant had a significant portion of its roof removed while a second had its entire roofing structure ripped off. A small outbuilding was overturned. One mobile home had its underpinning removed while three others were slid off their foundations and two others had shingles removed. | [67][138][139] |
| EF0 | Krugerville | Denton | TX | 33.2769°N 96.9836°W | 1939–1941 | 2.9 mi (4.7 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $60,000 | Tornado touched down in Krugerville, causing minor damage before moving over mostly open fields. A farmstead sustained some damage outside of town. | [140] |
| EF0 | S of Inwood | Sioux | IA | 43.24°N 96.45°W | 2028–2030 | 0.85 mi (1.37 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Tornado touched down over an open field and caused no damage. | [135][141] |
| EF1 | SW of Carpenter's Bluff | Grayson | TX | 33.67°N 96.40°W | 2108–2116 | 2.6 mi (4.2 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $50,000 | Damage was mainly confined to trees, though one church near Carpenter's Bluff sustained roof damage. | [142] |
| EF1 | SE of Shive | Hamilton | TX | 31.5612°N 98.234°W | 2245–2252 | 5.1 mi (8.2 km) | 105 yd (96 m) | $100,000 | Several groves of trees, outbuildings, and houses were damaged. One home had a majority of its roof removed and thrown into a field approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) downstream. | [143][144] |
| EF0 | WNW of Peoria | Hill | TX | 31.9874°N 97.2682°W | 2303–2305 | 0.6 mi (0.97 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A brief tornado caused minor damage to farmland. | [145] |
| EF0 | NNW of Cottonwood | Kaufman | TX | 32.48°N 96.4°W | 2307 | 0.1 mi (0.16 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [146] |
| EF0 | ESE of Jumbo | Pushmataha | OK | 34.4223°N 95.711°W | 2318–2321 | 1.7 mi (2.7 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | $0 | Tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [147][148] |
| EF0 | NW of Post Oak Bend City | Kaufman | TX | 32.65°N 96.33°W | 2334 | 0.05 mi (0.080 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | Brief tornado remained over open fields, causing no damage. | [149] |
| EF1 | S of Lake City to N of Rockwell City | Carroll, Calhoun | IA | 42.1467°N 94.8402°W | 0010–0100 | 23.34 mi (37.56 km) | 700 yd (640 m) | $1,025,000 | South of Lake City, trees and power poles were snapped. The multi-vortex tornado then struck the city directly, tearing the roofs off of a manufactured home and the local high school. An apartment building lost a section of its roof, and trees in town were damaged. North of town, a grain bin and a camper were flipped over, and chicken houses were damaged. The tornado snapped power poles and damaged another grain bin near Rockwell City before dissipating. | [67][150][151][152] |
| EF0 | ESE of Canova | Miner | SD | 43.86°N 97.39°W | 0016–0017 | 0.35 mi (0.56 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | $0 | A brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage. | [153] |
| EF2 | S of Wilburton to WSW of Red Oak | Latimer | OK | 34.7649°N 95.3112°W | 0018–0041 | 15 mi (24 km) | 880 yd (800 m) | $100,000 | A tornado moved through heavily forested areas, flattening a large swath of trees. Outbuildings were damaged, a house was moved off of its foundation, and another house lost much of its roof. An oil drilling platform was damaged, and a large plastic storage tank was tossed. Two metal storage buildings were damaged as well. | [147][67][154] |
| EF0 | NE of Brandon | Hill | TX | 32.0526°N 96.9653°W | 0020–0030 | 1.42 mi (2.29 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | $50,000 | Tornado remained over fields and caused crop damage. | [155] |
| EF0 | NW of Red Oak | Latimer | OK | 34.9692°N 95.0984°W | 0046–0052 | 3.7 mi (6.0 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | $0 | Large tree limbs were snapped by this weak tornado. | [156] |
| EF0 | WSW of Manson | Calhoun | IA | 42.5192°N 94.5794°W | 0114–0116 | 1.03 mi (1.66 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | $0 | A brief tornado caused minor damage in rural areas. | [157] |
| EF3 | N of Edom to N of Van | Van Zandt | TX | 32.41°N 95.62°W | 0146–0209 | 10.22 mi (16.45 km) | 700 yd (640 m) | $40,000,000 | 2 deaths – A significant tornado began south of Van and moved north directly though town. Numerous homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed, and many trees and power lines were downed throughout Van. A school building in town sustained major roof damage, and a nearby metal-frame industrial building was destroyed. A few well-built frame homes in the northern part of town were left with only interior walls standing. An oil pump derrick toppled to the ground, along with a large metal high-tension truss tower. Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed as well. At least 47 people were injured. | [67][158][138][159] |
| EF1 | NNW of Garden Valley (1st tornado) | Smith | TX | 32.6348°N 95.5807°W | 0219–0220 | 1.44 mi (2.32 km) | 440 yd (400 m) | $125,000 | Several homes sustained roof damage, outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. | [160][161] |
| EF1 | NNW of Garden Valley (2nd tornado) | Smith | TX | 32.6129°N 95.5761°W | 0350–0351 | 1.09 mi (1.75 km) | 450 yd (410 m) | $125,000 | Several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. | [160][162] |
| EF2 | Western Nashville | Howard | AR | 33.9311°N 93.8659°W | 0418–0434 | 6.7 mi (10.8 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | $1,500,000 | 2 deaths – A strong tornado impacted a mobile home park in the western part of town, completely destroying five mobile homes, killing two occupants, and resulting in eight injuries. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and power lines were downed as well. Approximately 40 to 60 homes sustained minor to moderate damage, mainly from fallen trees. | [158][160][163] |
| EF0 | NNW of Stalls | Marion | TX | 32.8357°N 94.3114°W | 0425–0427 | 0.28 mi (0.45 km) | 172 yd (157 m) | $0 | Numerous softwood trees were uprooted and numerous large tree limbs were downed. | [67][160][164] |
| EF0 | SW of Lodi | Marion, Cass | TX | 32.8643°N 94.2865°W | 0428–0432 | 2.64 mi (4.25 km) | 345 yd (315 m) | $0 | Numerous softwood and hardwood trees were uprooted. | [67][160][165][166] |
On the evening of May 6, an EF0 tornado caused damage at the Tiger Safari Zoological Park[167][168] located near Tuttle in Grady County, Oklahoma. An EF3 and two other EF0 tornadoes also occurred close to the attraction that evening. Due to the reported damage, Grady County was under strict warnings regarding the possibility that the tigers, and other creatures, might have gotten out of their habitats. Bo Wright, a web designer from Oklahoma, heard of the storms and possibly free-roaming predators, and thought instantly of the movie Sharknado and decided to design a false movie poster and T-shirt as a joke.[169] Locals referred to the event as the "Tigernado" on social media, and memes began to circulate the internet. Tigernado is a portmanteau up of "tiger" and "tornado".
| Time (CST) | Event | Refs |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 PM | Flash flood warnings and tornado watches are declared to last until 9 AM and 2 AM the next day, respectively. | [170] |
| 3:33 PM | 1500 yard wide EF3 tornado starts east of Amber, OK, and travels 10.3 miles before dissipating to the east of Tiger Safari. | [171] |
| 3:48 PM | An EF0 satellite tornado spins off of the initial EF3 tornado that was reported, but it lasts less than a minute before dissipating. No damage occurs as a result of this tornado. | [172] |
| 6:49 PM | An EF0 tornado starts southeast of Tuttle, downing trees and causing damage to two homes and the Tiger Safari Zoological Park. | [173] |
| 7:11 PM | Another EF0 tornado touches down east north east of Tuttle, damaging trees and crossing the path of the initial EF3. | [174] |
| 9:50 PM | Precautionary warnings begin circulation for residences in Grady County about the possibility of exotic animals, from Tiger Safari, being loose. | [175] |
| 10:09 PM | The Grady County Sheriff's Office declares that all animals are accounted for at Tiger Safari. | [175] |
| 11:28 AM (May 7) | The Grady County Sheriff's Office states that no animals were ever loose at any point. Damages are assessed. | [176] |
Seeing this popularity, Wright decided to sell the T-shirts for $20 each and donate the money directly to Serve Moore,[169] a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of natural disasters.[177][178]
The park director, Bill Meadows, estimated the total damages, including those from the wind, flooding, and debris, to be around $50,000. This total also includes the damage to the enclosure of an American black bear named Smokey.[179] Smokey's habitat sustained considerable damage in the storm, and the bear had to be transferred to the Garold Wayne Zoo during the rebuilding of his enclosure. Though his fences were damaged, his fear of the storms kept him hunkered down like the other creatures. Neither he, nor any of the others, were actually roaming loose.[179][180]
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