Another tornado moving into Oklahoma City

http://kamala.cod.edu/svr/ ^

[Lucas1]

Storm spotters report a large tornado approaching Oklahoma City. This just happened yesterday. God be with those people.

[cashion]

75mph winds... YIKES!

That was probably top end and only for a few seconds. In central Oklahoma, we're pretty used to 40-45mph southerly gusts during early spring days. Western Oklahoma usually sees 60mph gusts on those same days. Real damage usually starts at 75mph and upwards sustained, at least from what I've seen.

[2Jedismom]

Oh, I'm right between Bristow and Coweta! I better call my mom...

[PhiKapMom]

It is only going about 25 miles an hour. I would wait! There seems to be plenty of warning on this one.

[John H K]

MESOSCALE FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OKLAHOMA
1119 PM CDT FRI MAY 9 2003

WE HAVE RECEIVED REPORTS OF A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM IN STROUD.
THE MEDIA IN TULSA IS URGED TO IMMEDIATELY PLEA THAT PEOPLE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE TOWARD OKLAHOMA CITY FROM TULSA.
MANY PEOPLE ARE SAID TO BE IN GREAT DANGER IN STOPPED VEHICLES AS THE TORNADO CONTINUES TO THE NORTHEAST ALONG THE I-44 CORRIDOR.

[Husker24]

Its too bad the Weather scientists werent tracking the Jerrell tornado with that mobile velocity radar, I would have liked to have known what the wind speed on that mother was, it had to be over 300mph.

[PhiKapMom]

They just showed the radar with the circulation increasing and the numbers of tornadoes wrapped in this Super Cell.

[TomGuy]

Stormchaser in OKC area reporting hanger damage and powerlines down, but sees no significant structural (buildings) damage.

[razorback-bert]

Oh yes, I have never found a 12 foot flat bottom boat last seen heading northeast. It was chained to a tree to prevent theft.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for posting that -- Gary England has been warning people on Channel 9 that is also broadcast on the radio not to travel down I-44 because it is extremely dangerous. England is saying to go South out of Stroud not North.

[Conservababe]

So, in OKC area, are the stormchasers co-ordinated with the weather channel? Or are they just on their own, people who like to chase storms.

[Sally'sConcerns]

SW of Chandler with flashes from electric lines

[noutopia]

Move to the beautiful state of South Carolina,yes we have a tornado once in a while,and a huricane now and then, but we love the people that vote Republican.

[PhiKapMom]

We have stormchasers with each of our three main TV stations. We also have stormchasers that are with the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center and University of Oklahoma. The ones from the Storm Prediction Center here in Norman have all the equipment on their vehicles to track the wind, etc., and relay it back to the center here in Norman.

The Weather Center usually sends people here to Norman during tornado season.

[TomGuy]

So, in OKC area, are the stormchasers co-ordinated with the weather channel? Or are they just on their own, people who like to chase storms.

Usually some of both--reporters for various news agencies/stations and independents who call the news agencies/stations when things like this happen.

[2Jedismom]

Ok. I'm going to log off anyway. I'll check back in later.

[rwfromkansas]

I thik that is probably that cheesy "dangerous twisting of the winds" display that some tv radars add. It is extremely notorious for overdoing rotation by a huge amount.

But, if there are that many actual radar TVS's or actual sightings, the likelihood is that there may be that many.

There is definitely at least one large one.....

[VOA]

People don't really have a concept of F5 damage. It doesn't mean destroyed houses,
it means a PERFECTLY clean foundation with no debris from the house within half a mile.

You are right...it is the "force of nature".
I stopped by Midwest City after the last "Big One" and saw a couple bared foundation...
not quite Jerrell though.

I stumbled across a great reference book on tornados and high wind events
in the library at Oklahoma State University maybe 10 years ago.
I can't remember the title, but the book scared the ---- out of me. Reading about
huge fuel tanks taking flight, chimneys being lifted clean with parts of the attached
roof (acting as an airfoil)...and stories of flattened part of forests from
just straight line winds that the Weather Services of yesteryear couldn't visualize...
SCARY!

Now, at even the warning of just winds in excess of 40 mph...I take cover.
I don't like the idea of being impaled by a fence post launched by an unexpected
gust or tornadic wind.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Stay safe....we're praying for you.

[Conservababe]

I see. So this is actually a job, and not just a hobby for these stormchasers you mention?

[PhiKapMom]

Gary England just warned the people in Stroud that are in a traffic jam from the Interstate to drive South as soon as possible.

Reporting power lines down all over the roads including I-35.