May 2003 Severe Weather Event

May 8, 2003 Severe Weather Strikes Oklahoma - Situation Report #1

The effects of a very strong storm system with at least one tornado were felt throughout the central part of the state and Osage county in northeast Oklahoma. The storm first struck in northern Cleveland County about 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and continues to assist communities throughout the affected areas. Staffing at the EOC include the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Primary areas affected by the storm in central Oklahoma were the City of Moore, south Oklahoma City, Del City, Midwest City, and Choctaw. Early numbers indicate that more than 1,500 homes in Moore were damaged including 300 totally destroyed. The General Motors plant in southeast Oklahoma City was heavily damaged and many buildings in the area were destroyed. The Oklahoma National Guard is providing perimeter security at the plant. Interstate highways 35 and 240 were closed temporarily due to downed power lines and debris.

More than 100 injuries have been reported at local hospitals, including eight who were listed in critical or serious condition. No deaths were reported as of 11 p.m.

In Osage County, three mobile homes were damaged and 10 houses were destroyed. Outbuildings, barns and feed lots were destroyed and 21 cattle were killed.

Governor Brad Henry has requested a Federal Emergency Declaration from the President. Representatives from FEMA will be in the affected areas Friday morning to complete preliminary damage assessments.

Power Outages
OG&E reports that more than 37,000 homes and business were without power in central Oklahoma. Hardest hit areas were Moore and southeast Oklahoma City. Emergency Management officials in Osage County report that 50 percent of the City of Pawhuska was without power.

Shelters and Feeding Centers
The American Red Cross has opened shelters at the following locations:
St. Marks Lutheran Church, 7501 E. Reno
West Moore Community Center, 12609 S. Western
Moore Community Center, 1-35 and Fourth Street

The Salvation Army reports the following feeding center locations:
In Choctaw
15th & Henny
12th & Jacob

In Moore
119th & I-35
Fire Station No. 2, at 12th & Janeway
West Moore High School

In Oklahoma City
Sooner Road & SE 64th
Oklahoma Electric (Norman) – 400
Northfolk Electric (Sayre) – 12
Caddo Electric (Binger) – 50
Peoples Electric (Ada) – 200

May 9, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)

...PRELIMINARY DAMAGE SURVEY RESULTS FROM THURSDAY'S TORNADO IN THE MOORE AREA...

DAMAGE FROM THE TORNADO THAT STRUCK PARTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND MOORE LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON HAS BEEN SURVEYED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN. TWO DAMAGE SURVEY TEAMS WERE DISPATCHED EARLY THIS MORNING. THIS PRELIMINARY REPORT COVERS THAT PART OF THE DAMAGE TRACK IN CLEVELAND COUNTY...FROM SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY NORTHEAST THROUGH MOORE TO 89TH STREET. MAXIMUM DAMAGE INTENSITY IN THIS SEGMENT OF THE DAMAGE TRACK WAS RATED F3...WITH A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 1/4 MILE.

SPORADIC MINOR DAMAGE...MOSTLY IN THE FORM OF UPROOTED SHRUBS AND BROKEN TREE BRANCHES...WAS FIRST OBSERVED IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY IN THE AREA OF BLACKWELDER AVENUE BETWEEN SW 149TH AND SW 134TH STREET. THIS DAMAGE CONTINUED NORTHEAST ACROSS SW 134TH STREET /ALSO S 4TH IN MOORE...AND HIGHWAY 37/ BETWEEN WESTERN AND SANTA FE. SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ALONG THIS STRETCH OF 134TH STREET. MINOR INTERMITTENT DAMAGE CONTINUED INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS JUST NORTHWEST OF 134TH AND SANTA FE...WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE LIMITED MOSTLY TO DOWNED STOCKADE FENCES AND MINOR ROOF DAMAGE.

THE SURVEY TEAM CONCLUDED THAT DAMAGE UP TO THIS POINT WAS NOT TORNADIC. IT MORE LIKELY WAS THE RESULT OF A PHENOMENON KNOWN AS A REAR FLANK DOWNDRAFT...STRONG GENERALLY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS RESULTING FROM A CONCENTRATED DOWNDRAFT OF AIR WHICH OCCURS ON THE BACK SIDE OF A DEVELOPING STORM-SCALE CIRCULATION /OR MESOCYCLONE/. RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE REAR FLANK DOWNDRAFT OFTEN PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF TORNADOES WITHIN A MESOCYCLONE.

IN THIS CASE...THE DAMAGE SURVEY ALSO SUGGESTS THIS.

TORNADIC DAMAGE BEGAN ALMOST PRECISELY AT THE INTERSECTION OF N 5TH STREET AND SANTA FE IN MOORE...NEAR THE CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. THE TORNADO INITIALLY WAS QUITE NARROW BUT STRENGTHENED QUICKLY AS IT MOVED EAST ALONG 5TH STREET...ACHIEVING F3 INTENSITY BRIEFLY JUST EAST OF SANTA FE.

THE TORNADO THEN WIDENED AND TURNED NORTHEAST AS IT MOVED THROUGH NORTHWEST MOORE...GENERALLY ALONG AND JUST NORTH OF 5TH STREET. IT WIDENED TO APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE WIDE FROM MARKWELL AVE NORTHEASTWARD...BUT FOR MOST OF THIS SEGMENT MAXIMUM DAMAGE WAS RATED F2. THE NUMBER OF HOMES DESTROYED OR HEAVILY DAMAGED IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE PRECISELY...BUT IS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 100 AND 200.

THE TORNADO INTENSIFIED TO F3 INTENSITY AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER CROSSING JANEWAY AVENUE JUST SOUTH OF 12TH STREET. IT CROSSED 12TH STREET BETWEEN JANEWAY AND INTERSTATE 35...CAUSING LOCAL F3 DAMAGE IN THE CENTER OF THE 1/4 MILE-WIDE DAMAGE TRACK.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN MOORE OCCURRED NORTH OF 12TH STREET AND WEST OF I-35...WHERE SEVERAL BUSINESSES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED STRONG F3...BASED ON THE EXTENT OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO TWO HOTELS...THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH...THE YOUNG CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER...A HEADSTART PROGRAM BUILDING...SEVERAL RESTAURANTS... AND AN OFFICE BUILDING. THE CHURCH...CHILD CARE CENTER...AND OFFICE BUILDING WERE LEVELED.

CROSSING I-35 BETWEEN 12TH STREET AND THE I-35 SHIELDS JUNCTION...THE TORNADO APPEARED TO WEAKEN WHILE CONTINUING NORTHEAST. SPORADIC F2 DAMAGE WAS FOUND FROM BROADWAY AVENUE NORTHEASTWARD INTO THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE HIGHLAND PARK ADDITION. THIS SUBDIVISION ALSO WAS DAMAGED SEVERELY BY THE MAY 3RD 1999 TORNADO...BUT DAMAGE THIS TIME OCCURRED ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FARTHER SOUTH.

THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST ACROSS NE 27TH STREET NEAR AND JUST EAST OF POLE ROAD...CROSSING MOSTLY OPEN AREA AROUND EASTERN AVENUE AND THE LAKESIDE GOLF COURSE. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED F1...MAINLY DUE TO THE RELATIVE LACK OF MAN-MADE STRUCTURES. BUT AS THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST TOWARD SE 89TH STREET IT CLIPPED A RESIDENTIAL AREA JUST WEST OF 89TH AND BRYANT...CAUSING F2 DAMAGE IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE AREA.

IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THE DAMAGE TRACK BETWEEN NE 27TH IN MOORE...AND SE 89TH IN OKLAHOMA CITY...COINCIDES EXACTLY AND PRECISELY W

May 9, 2003 Severe Weather Strikes Oklahoma - Situation Report #2

Many Oklahomans continue to feel the effects of the severe storm system that hit central and northeast portions of the state on Thursday. The storm first struck in northern Cleveland County about 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and staff continues to assist communities throughout the affected areas.

Gov. Brad Henry requested a major disaster declaration as a result of the tornado and severe thunderstorm damage. The request asks President Bush to approve federal assistance for individuals and governmental entities in Oklahoma and Cleveland counties as well as surrounding contiguous counties.

The following reports were received at the State EOC.

Injuries
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Health report 134 injuries related to the storm. Eighteen were admitted to hospitals. No fatalities were reported.

Damages
Primary areas affected by the storm in central Oklahoma were the City of Moore, south Oklahoma City, Del City, Midwest City, and Choctaw. Officials in Moore continue to report more than 1,500 homes damaged, including 300 totally destroyed. The General Motors plant in southeast Oklahoma City was heavily damaged and many buildings in the area were destroyed. The Oklahoma National Guard continues to provide perimeter security at the plant.

In Osage County, four mobile homes were damaged and one house was destroyed. Outbuildings, barns and feed lots were destroyed and 21 cattle and three horses were killed. Another 10 cattle are missing.

Damage assessments remain underway in many of the affected areas.

Mail Service
Mail service will not be interrupted for residents in storm damaged areas of south Oklahoma City, Moore, Del City, Choctaw and other areas of the metro, U.S. Postal officials reported. In an immediate response to changing mail service needs, postal officials will establish mail pick-up service for those who have lost their homes or can’t return to their homes or businesses. Additionally, there are reports of minor structural damage to some postal facilities in storm ravaged areas, but Postal employees in Oklahoma City’s stations and branches and the Choctaw Post Office are still able to sort the mail and prepare it for delivery as usual.

Power Outages
OG&E reports about 3,700 homes and business remain without power in central Oklahoma.

Shelters and Feeding Centers
The American Red Cross has opened shelters at the following locations:
St. Marks Lutheran Church, 7501 E. Reno
West Moore Community Church, 12609 S. Western
Moore Community Center, 1-35 and Fourth Street

The Salvation Army reports the following feeding center locations:
In Choctaw
15th & Henny
12th & Jacob

In Moore
119th & I-35
Fire Station No. 2, at 12th & Janeway
West Moore High School

In Oklahoma City
Sooner Road & SE 64th

Environmental Concerns
The Department of Environmental Quality has surveyed all public water and sewage disposal facilities the impacted area. None sustained direct damage.
 

Public Information Statement (NWS Tulsa)

...DAMAGE SURVEY INFORMATION CONCERNING STORMS LAST NIGHT...

A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEY TEAM FOUND A TORNADO TRACK IN SOUTHWESTERN CREEK COUNTY NEAR THE COMMUNITY OF DEPEW...FROM THE STORMS THAT STRUCK THE AREA AFTER MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT. THE INFORMATION IS DETAILED BELOW...

TORNADO PATH DETAILS...EARLY MORNING OF 5/10/03...
START...1 MILE WEST OF DEPEW AT 1225 AM CDT
FINISH...1 MILE NE OF DEPEW AT 1231 AM CDT
PATH LENGTH...2 MILES
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL...TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST
MAX PATH WIDTH...300 YARDS
FUJITA SCALE...F1 (ESTIMATED 75-85 MPH MAX)
NO INJURIES

DAMAGE WAS CHARACTERIZED BY LOTS OF SNAPPED AND UPROOTED TREES. A FEW STRUCTURES ON THE FRINGE OF THE PATH SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE.

THIS STORM WAS THE SAME STORM THAT CAUSED DAMAGE IN STROUD...BUT THERE WAS NOT A CONTINUOUS PATH FROM THE STROUD DAMAGE TO THE DEPEW DAMAGE. OTHER ISOLATED EXAMPLES OF TREE DAMAGE WERE FOUND IN CREEK...NORTHERN OKMULGEE...AND SOUTHERN TULSA COUNTIES...BUT NONE COULD BE CONFIRMED AS TORNADO PATHS.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION OR IMAGES THAT COULD ASSIST US WITH THIS DAMAGE SURVEY SHOULD CONTACT THIS OFFICE AT 918-838-7838 DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.

May 8, 2003 Severe Weather Strikes Oklahoma - Situation Report #3

Round two of the latest severe weather in the state continued Friday night, May 9th. A tornado followed a path from southeast Canadian County around west, northwest, north and northeast Oklahoma County and then proceeded northeast along the Turner Turnpike. Severe damage was reported by several businesses, numerous aircraft were damaged at Wiley Post Airport, two churches received major damage, Putnam City West High School had major roof damage and a housing addition at 122nd Street and Chester Road sustained major damage. No deaths were reported but 11 individuals were injured, two critically. Early and accurate warnings were again credited with the low number of injuries. The storm continued along the Turner Turnpike to Stroud where city buildings and vehicles received damage. No injuries were reported. The city had numerous downed trees and debris. Most homes received minor shingle damage. One home sustained major damage. Power was out for most of the city. Utility crews hope to have power restored to the northern part of Stroud before the evening. The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and the following reports have been received. FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANTED In response to Gov. Brad Henry’s May 9 letter requesting disaster relief and emergency assistance, President George W. Bush issued a disaster declaration this morning for the counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from severe storms and tornadoes that began May 8. Affected residents and business owners in these counties can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available starting Sunday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Available disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses, according to Michael D. Brown, Federal Emergency Management Agency director and undersecretary for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. In addition, Brown said federal funds will be provided for the state and affected local governments in the counties of Cleveland and Oklahoma to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal and emergency services related to the disaster. The declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. Brown indicated that more counties and additional forms of assistance for the state and local government agencies may be designated later based on the results of ongoing damage assessments. INJURIES Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Health report 11 injuries in Friday night’s storm. Injuries in the May 8 storm stand at 134. Eighteen were admitted to hospitals. No fatalities were reported. DAMAGES May 8 damages Moore Emergency Management officials report: 300 homes destroyed, 300 homes with major damage, 300 homes with minor damage, 150 homes affected, 30 multi-family homes with major damage, 22 businesses with minor damage and 6 businesses with major damage. Choctaw Emergency Management officials report: 29 homes destroyed, 28 homes with major damage, 47 homes with minor damage, 223 homes affected, 3 mobile homes destroyed and 1 mobile home with minor damage. Oklahoma County Emergency Management officials report the following damages in Oklahoma City and Midwest City: 93 homes destroyed, 400 homes with major damage, 400 homes with minor damage, 15 mobile homes with minor damage, 10 multi-family units with major damage, 15 businesses

May 12, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)

...NWS RATES TORNADOES FROM FRIDAY NIGHT...MAY 9TH...

WIND DAMAGE EXPERTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT A SERIES OF TORNADOES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA ON MAY 8TH.

AT LEAST EIGHT TORNADOES AFFECTED THE AREA FROM NEAR COGAR AND BINGER TO STROUD. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS RATED F0 TO F1. HOWEVER... SURVEYORS FOUND A SIGNIFICANT TORNADO TRACK THAT EXTENDED FROM ALONG EASTERN AVENUE JUST SOUTH OF BRITTON ROAD...EAST AND NORTHEAST INTO RURAL OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

THIS TORNADO HAS BEEN RATED AS F3 ON THE FUJITA SCALE. THE RATING WAS BASED ON DAMAGE TO A WELL-BUILT HOME...AND TO AN INDUSTRIAL FARM BUILDING.

MORE COMPLETE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN NORMAN WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND SPECIAL THANKS TO METEOROLOGISTS WITH THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY...THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER...THE WARNING DECISION TRAINING BRANCH AND THE FAA TRAINING ACADEMY...WHO PERFORMED THESE SURVEYS.

May 12, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)

...NWS CLASSIFIES THURSDAY TORNADO F4...

WIND DAMAGE EXPERTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE TORNADO THAT STRUCK THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA ON THURSDAY MAY 8TH WAS A VIOLENT TORNADO ...AND THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN RATED F4.

THIS RATING IS BASED ON DAMAGE OBSERVED IN JUST A COUPLE OF LOCATIONS FROM THE I-240/SOONER ROAD AREA NORTHEAST INTO CHOCTAW.

COMPLETE DETAILS ON THIS PORTION OF THE DAMAGE SURVEY WILL BE PROVIDED LATER TODAY...AND WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN WEBSITE AT WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/OUN.

IN ADDITION...PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ON THE MAY 9TH TORNADO DAMAGE SURVEY WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER TODAY.

May 12, 2003 Severe Weather Strikes Oklahoma - Situation Report #5

Oklahomans continue to deal with the effects of the severe weather which moved through the state May 8 and May 9. The Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and continues to assist communities throughout the affected areas. Other state and federal agencies and disaster relief organizations supporting the response/recovery efforts include the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, EPA, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers.

The following reports were received at the State EOC.

FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANTED
The FEMA Teleregistration line is now activated to assist those who have been affected by the severe storms and tornadoes. Under the disaster declaration, individuals and businesses are eligible to apply for federal aid in the counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie. People can apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The teleregistration line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

In addition federal funds are provided for the state and affected local governments to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal and emergency services related to the disaster. More counties and additional forms of assistance for the state and local government agencies may be designated later based on the results of ongoing damage assessments.

INJURIES AND DEATH
Officials with the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have report one fatality now attributed to the disaster. A Woodward man, age 80, died Sunday, May 11 at an Oklahoma City hospital as a result of head injuries he sustained in the May 9 tornado. The man was injured while visiting family in Warr Acres.

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Health now report 10 injuries and one death in Friday night’s storm. Injuries in the May 8 storm stand at 134. Eighteen were admitted to hospitals.

DAMAGES
Preliminary reports show the following damage occurred May 8-9, 2003.
Moore: single family dwellings 1,150 affected 300 destroyed - multi-family homes 30 major damage
Choctaw: single family dwellings 327 affected 29 destroyed - mobile homes 3 destroyed
Oklahoma City/Midwest City: single family dwellings 893 affected 93 destroyed - multi-family homes 10 major damage
Bethany: single family dwellings 471 affected 10 destroyed - public buildings 5 major damage
Stroud: single family dwellings 31 affected 30 minor damage
Osage County: single family dwellings 5 affected 1 destroyed - mobile homes 1 destroyed 3 minor damage
Jones: Single family dwellings 12 affected 4 major damage
Grand Totals: Single family dwellings -- 2,889 affected / 432 destroyed - Public Buildings -- 5 major
damage (includes 3 schools) - Businesses – more than 100 damaged
DEBRIS REMOVAL
Citizens unable to handle debris removal can call the United Methodist Committee on Relief at (405) 530-2029 for volunteer help. Citizen’s who want to volunteer in debris removal, please call 232-3711 or out of the 405 area call 1-866-622-7464.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN
On Wednesday, May 14, Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Moore, Midwest City and Bethany. These centers are designed to be a one-stop-shop for questions regarding the various assistance programs made available under the disaster declaration. Officials will be on hand representing ODCEM, FEMA, the Small Business Administration, Office of the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner and The Salvation Army. Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. a t the following locations:
Moore -- City of Moore Park and Recreation Community Center, 301 S. Howard
Midwest City -- City of Midwest City Neighborhood Service Center, 300 W. Mid America
A center will also open in Bethany on Wednesday. Location to be announced. Additionally there will be a mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Edmond, Stroud and other affected communities. Dates and times to be announced.

POWER OUTAGES
Oklahoma Corporation Commission officials report OG&E continues to make progress in restoring electric service to homes and businesses primarily in central Oklahoma. OG&E reports less than 1,000 customers without power.

TETANUS SHOTS AVAILABLE
Tetanus shots are available at Moore Fire Station No. 2 daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cleveland County Health Department officials are providing the inoculations. Since Saturday more than 160 have received the shots. Today, from 3 to 6 p.m. tetanus shots are available at Del City Community Center. Officials with the Oklahoma City/County Health Department are providing the inoculations.

DONATIONS
Strongly recommend monetary donations made to The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army or the disaster relief agency of choice.

ANIMAL TORNADO VICTIMS
Animal shelters in Moore, Oklahoma City and Bethany report they are holding numerous animals found in the storm affected areas. In Moore six dogs, in Bethany seven dogs, and in Oklahoma City 13 dogs and two horses are being held. Photographs of the animals will be shown on CityView, Channel 20 in Oklahoma City. To claim an animal, go to the shelter from noon to 4:45 p.m. daily. Found animals from the disaster can be brought to the shelter daily from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Shelter workers will pick up animals that are injured and in need of being destroyed by calling (405) 297-2255. The shelters will hold tornado victim animals for 14 days and then each will be available for adoption.

CHILD CARE
Child care is available for pre-school and younger children of families affected by the disaster at St. Matthew’s Methodist Church, 300 N. Air Depot, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The church can care for up to 50 children at a time. Questions can be directed to the church at (405) 732-6831.

SHELTERS AND CANTEENS
Due to need, the American Red Cross has reopened shelters at the following locations:
In Moore -- Moore Community Center, 1-35 and Fourth Street
In Bethany – Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, 42nd & Asbury
The American Red Cross reports 14 mobile units have provided 10,800 meals. They have used 451 volunteers and continue to distribute first aid and clean-up supplies in the affected areas.

The Salvation Army reports a total of 13 canteens in the following locations as well as a mobile canteen servicing the Stroud area:
In Bethany – 50th & Muller, 50th & Rockwell
In Choctaw -- 15th & Henny
In Moore – I-35 & 12th Street and Fifth & Santa Fe
In Oklahoma City – 85th & Sunnylane, 44th & Westminster and NW 122nd & Sooner Road
The Salvation Army reports 9,526 meals served and 9,777 drinks distributed. They have used 296 volunteers for 1,955 hours of service.

May 13, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)

...MAY 8TH TORNADO PRECEDED BY SMALLER TORNADO IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY... A FOLLOW-UP DAMAGE SURVEY HAS IDENTIFIED ANOTHER TORNADO DAMAGE TRACK ACROSS SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY FROM THE STORMS ON THE AFTERNOON OF THURSDAY MAY 8TH. IT NOW APPEARS THAT THE TORNADO THAT CAUSED F3 AND LOCAL F4 DAMAGE ON THE SOUTH AND EAST SIDES OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA WAS THE SECOND...AND POSSIBLY THE THIRD...TORNADO PRODUCED BY THAT STORM. BASED ON EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS...DELAYED STORM SPOTTER REPORTS...AND DAMAGE ACCOUNTS PROVIDED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REVISITED SEVERAL AREAS IN FAR SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY EARLY MONDAY. THE AREAS RE-EXAMINED WERE FROM THE GENERAL REGION OF SOUTH 140TH AND PENNSYLVANIA...EAST NORTHEASTWARD TO HIGHWAY 37 BETWEEN WESTERN AND SANTA FE. PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY INDICATE THAT AN F0 TORNADO BEGAN AT 504 PM ABOUT 1/2 MILE NORTHWEST OF 149TH AND PENNSYLVANIA. IT MOVED EAST NORTHEAST FOR NEARLY 2 MILES...LIFTING JUST SOUTHEAST OF 134TH AND WESTERN. THIS DAMAGE TRACK IS PARALLEL TO AND ABOUT 1/4 MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE TRACK OF THE F5 TORNADO OF MAY 3RD 1999. DAMAGE WAS FIRST OBSERVED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF JAMIE DRIVE AND LIBB STREET...WHERE SEVERAL TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES WERE SNAPPED OFF. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO MINOR FENCE DAMAGE...SEVERAL CANOES TOSSED 100 FEET OR MORE...A PONTOON BOAT OVERTURNED...AND SEVERAL PIECES OF LAWN FURNITURE AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT DESTROYED. THE WEAK TORNADO MOVED ALMOST DUE EAST ALONG JAMIE DRIVE FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS BEFORE TURNING MORE TO THE NORTHEAST. THE TORNADO CROSSED PENNSYLVANIA AVE ABOUT 50 TO 100 YARDS SOUTH OF 140TH STREET. SEVERAL OUTBUILDINGS WERE DAMAGED AT A RANCH AND HORSE STABLE. MOST OF THE DAMAGE AGAIN WAS TO LARGE TREES WHICH WERE EITHER UPROOTED...SNAPPED OFF...OR LOST LARGE BRANCHES. A RESIDENT REPORTED THAT WINDS IN THE AREA WENT DEAD CALM AT ABOUT 502 PM...JUST BEFORE THE TORNADO STRUCK AT AROUND 505 PM. AT THIS POINT THE TORNADO TURNED MORE TO THE EAST AGAIN...WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO TREES IN THE MOSTLY RURAL AREA BETWEEN PENNSYLVANIA AND BLACKWELDER. AS IT APPROACHED BLACKWELDER IT CURVED MORE TO THE EAST NORTHEAST AGAIN...CAUSING SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO ONE RESIDENCE AND SEVERAL NEARBY OUTBUILDINGS NEAR 140TH AND BLACKWELDER. THE PATTERN OF TREE DAMAGE IN THIS AREA...ALONG WITH AN ACCOUNT FROM ONE RESIDENT OF TREE LIMBS FROM THE EAST SIDE OF HIS HOME BEING FOUND ON THE WEST SIDE AFTER THE EVENT...CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF ROTATION IN THIS AREA. CONTINUING TO THE EAST NORTHEAST...THE TORNADO CROSSED MOSTLY OPEN LAND BETWEEN BLACKWELDER AND WESTERN. IT CROSSED WESTERN JUST SOUTH OF 134TH /OR HIGHWAY 37/...DOWNING SEVERAL POWER POLES ALONG WESTERN AND CAUSING SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VILLA TERESA SCHOOL. SPOTTER REPORTS INDICATE THAT A ROTATING DUST BOWL... OCCASIONALLY WITH DEBRIS...COULD BE SEEN ALONG MUCH OF THE TRACK FROM NEAR PENN TO BLACKWELDER AND WESTERN. A BRIEF CONDENSATION FUNNEL APPEARED JUST SOUTHEAST OF 134TH AND WESTERN...BUT DISSIPATED BEFORE REACHING 134TH. SPORADIC MINOR DAMAGE WAS FOUND ALONG AND NEAR 134TH BETWEEN WESTERN AND SANTA FE. DUE TO THE SCATTERED NATURE OF THE DAMAGE IN THIS AREA...THE RELATIVELY WEAK INTENSITY OF THE DAMAGE...AND THE LACK OF ANY CONCENTRATED DAMAGE TRACK...IT IS DETERMINED THAT THIS DAMAGE WAS NOT TORNADIC. AS DISCUSSED IN AN EARLIER STATEMENT...THE DAMAGE ALONG 134TH IS MORE LIKELY THE RESULT OF A FORM OF STRAIGHT LINE WIND KNOWN AS A REAR FLANK DOWNDRAFT. SEVERAL LARGE POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ALONG 134TH BETWEEN WESTERN AND SANTA FE...BUT BASED ON ASSESSMENT OF OTHER NEARBY DAMAGE AND REPORTS FROM SPOTTERS...THESE POWER LINES ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN DOWNED BY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. SPOTTER REPORTS ALSO SUGGEST THAT ANOTHER BRIEF TORNADO MAY HAVE OCCURRED FARTHER SOUTHWEST IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 37 AND INTERSTATE 44...IN NORTHERN MCCLAIN COUNTY. NO DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THIS AREA SO FAR...BUT THIS EVENT ALSO MAY BE CONFIRMED AS A SEPARATE TORNADO L

May 13, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)
...MAY 8TH TORNADO PRECEDED BY SMALLER TORNADO IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY...

May 14, 2003 Public Information Statement (NWS Norman)
THIS IS A PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT CONCERNING THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY PORTION OF THE TORNADO THAT MOVED ACROSS THE SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA ON THURSDAY, MAY 8.

THE TORNADO CROSSED INTO OKLAHOMA COUNTY ALONG SOUTHEAST 89TH STREET AND BRYANT AVENUE. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO MOVE NORTHEAST AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO A MANUFACTURING PLANT JUST WEST OF SUNNYLANE BETWEEN SE 89TH STREET AND INTERSTATE 240. A NUMBER OF CARS WERE ALSO CARRIED OR BLOWN TO THE EAST FROM THIS COMMERCIAL BUILDING. SIX EMPLOYEES WERE AT THE PLANT AT THE TIME OF THE TORNADO AND TOOK SHELTER IN A SAFE ROOM AND ESCAPED INJURY.

THE TORNADO TURNED TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST AND CROSSED SOONER ROAD ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE 240 INTERCHANGE. AT LEAST ONE BUSINESS WAS DESTROYED AND OTHERS SUFFERED DAMAGE. THE TORNADO CROSSED INTERSTATE 240 DAMAGING BUSINESSES ALONG SE 74TH STREET BETWEEN SOONER ROAD AND AIR DEPOT BLVD. THE TORNADO MOVED ACROSS AIR DEPOT BLVD AND STRUCK THE GENERAL MOTORS PLANT INFLICTING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE... ESPECIALLY ON THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY AND DESTROYING A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE CARS. THE TORNADO MOVED INTO THE SOUTHEAST PORTION OF TINKER AIR FORCE BASE DAMAGING FENCING AND A STORAGE BUNKER.

THE TORNADO AGAIN TURNED NORTHEAST AFFECTING MOVING ACROSS DOUGLAS BLVD AT SOUTHEAST 59TH STREET... AND POST ROAD ALONG AND SOUTH OF SOUTHEAST 44TH STREET. THE TORNADO MOVED THROUGH NORTHERN PORTIONS OF A SUBDIVISION ALONG KENNINGTON LANE AND SOUTHEAST 45TH STREET. IT MOVED ACROSS SOUTHEAST 44TH AND INTERSTATE 40 WEST OF WESTMINSTER ROAD MOVING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS JUST NORTH OF INTERSTATE 40 AND WESTMINSTER AND JUST SOUTHWEST OF SOUTHEAST 29TH AND ANDERSON ROAD.

THE TORNADO CROSSED SOUTHEAST 29TH STREET AND INTO THE CITY LIMITS OF MIDWEST CITY ALONG AND EAST OF ANDERSON ROAD WITH SOME DAMAGE IN MIDWEST CITY ALONG HIWASSEE ROAD JUST SOUTH OF SOUTHEAST 15TH STREET.

THE TORNADO MOVED INTO THE CITY LIMITS OF CHOCTAW CROSSING SOUTHEAST 15TH STREET BETWEEN HIWASSEE ROAD AND WILLOW DRIVE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO HOMES IN CHOCTAW NORTH OF SOUTHEAST 15TH STREET AND EAST OF HENNEY ROAD. THE TORNADO THEN WEAKENED QUICKLY AS IT CROSSED HENNEY ROAD AND DISSIPATED SOON AFTER CROSSING RENO AVENUE JUST WEST OF CHOCTAW ROAD.

THE TORNADO PATH LENGTH IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY WAS APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES. THE MAXIMUM WIDTH WAS 4/10 OF A MILE. THE TORNADO WAS RATED F4 TORNADO WITH SMALL AREAS OF F4 DAMAGE OCCURRING SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 240 AND SUNNYLANE ROAD... NORTHEAST OF SOUTHEAST 74TH STREET AND AIR DEPOT BLVD... AND EAST OF SOUTHEAST 44TH STREET AND POST ROAD.

THE SURVEY TEAM WOULD LIKE TO THANK MARTY RUSHER OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT... RONNIE WARREN OF OKLAHOMA CITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT... AND ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO THE SURVEY TEAM.

SPEHEGER/BURGESS/MAGSIG/WOOD