Tornado on the Ground in Okc & KS

Channel 5 Oklahoma ^ | 05/08/03 | Me

[chantal7]

Tornado on the ground. Heading for Tinker AFB.

Debris flying and electrical lines down.

I-240 and Sooner Road, it's crossing the road.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I was in Carleton, Michigan in late 60's and a tornado hit Flat Rock, which was named that for a reason. Her father drove home and got us into the basement. We just made it there and I heard a noise I will never forget. To me it sounded like a giant powerful Kirby vacuum sweeper up over head. A low, grinding and growling sound and windows breaking out. I thought we were all going to die. It blew the little window open in the basement and the car in the driveway was at an angle when we went back up. In town, it had destroyed many buildings. In Florida, the tornados are quicker but smaller. We have no basements so I go to the Post Office since it is reinforced and open all night.

[Catspaw]

an airborne mobile home

In a small town near Oshkosh WI, a tornado picked up a mobile home and rammed it into the 2nd floor of a house.

You couldn't pay me enough to stay in a mobile home during a tornado warning.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Channel 9 reporting the bank was levelled.

[Kwilliams]

homes completely totalled all over Moore.

[deport]

Hello... you okay out that way?

[Petronski]

AP Wire via KOCO-TV:

Intial Reports Indicate Heavy Damage

POSTED: 5:26 p.m. CDT May 8, 2003
UPDATED: 5:50 p.m. CDT May 8, 2003
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A large tornado has apparently touched down in southern Oklahoma City and its southeastern suburbs.

Footage showed heavy damage to Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and the General Motors plant in south Oklahoma County.

There were reports of injuries at the GM plant, but that could not be immediately confirmed.

The storm has parrelled Interstate 240, destroying metal industrial buildings, a mobile home sales lots, a bank, a fast-food restaurant and tossed 18-wheelers.

There also were reports of leveled businesses near I-240, a major thoroughfare in central Oklahoma.

Structures were stripped of roofs, automobiles and mobile homes were strewn across the landscape.

Power lines and large trees also were toppled and other debris could be seen.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Lincoln National Bank is the bank that has collapsed

[Scenic Sounds]

Wow! We seem to be having a lot of tornadoes these days.

I've never actually seen one myself, although I have seen water spouts over water a few times.

[Vinnie]

The cell appears to be moving right up I 44. Of course the tornado may or may not hold together. They are predicting Tulsa in about 45 min to 1hr.

[fatima]

Prayers for everyone.

[Petronski]

KFOR-TV:

An F-2 or weak F-3 tornado has hit the GM plant causing major structural damage.

The tornado also hit near Crossroads mall.

There is already a debris field and several power poles are down. Chopper 4 reports the tornado has just tracked over I-35 and heavy traffic. Tornado warning has been extended for Potowatamie County and southern and western Lincoln County until 6:30 p.m.

Please take necessary precautions to keep your family safe.

[Jrabbit]

Dallas news reporting that Moore was hit again like in 1999

[Catspaw]

We just made it there and I heard a noise I will never forget. To me it sounded like a giant powerful Kirby vacuum sweeper up over head. A low, grinding and growling sound and windows breaking out. I thought we were all going to die.

I've been in one tornado--with a very similar experience. The tornado touched down at the crest of the hill and we were about 100 ft. south (on the road). The very old farmhouse we were living in had its windows sucked out on one side, the square nails were pulled out from the boards, the linoleum was sucked up about two feet, it split a huge oak tree in the front yard, missing my car by about >.< much...but it's the sound I'll never forget. Never. That roar....I've been near a couple others, even saw a few form, but that's one experience I never want to repeat. I feel so much sympathy for those going through these tornados.

[ewing]

[chantal7]

I've seen several. Our town was even hit a few times. In some ways these tornados are awesome especially the cold weather ones. They are small, do little damage and just hang around for a bit.

But these are the monster tornados.

[Kwilliams]

[sheikdetailfeather]

I live in a mobile home and if the gusts get up to 60 my couch sways. I leave if it gets too bad. Especially in hurricanes. I am praying as I am watching the Weather Channel.

[Scenic Sounds]

It's got to be a bit frightening!!

[dennis1x]

damage northeast of the gm plant is F3-F4 damage. homes destroyed down to the foundation.

[ewing]