Great American Tornado Series #2 Greensburg Kansas

The term “worst case scenario” can mean a number of things in the severe weather world. Some scenarios that come to mind are extremely violent tornadoes, tornadoes at night, a tornado that directly hits a town. The Greensburg tornado was all three.

May 4 began in much the same way as many other spring days in the Great Plains. Cool, dry air from the north clashed with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, creating the sort of unstable atmosphere that is so common to "Tornado Alley." An intense low pressure system moved in and stalled over the area during the morning hours, providing all the ingredients that meteorologists and storm chasers expect for severe weather. With an extremely volatile mix of conditions in place, the National Weather Service began to issue watches in anticipation of developing storm activity.

By late afternoon and early evening, storms began to blow up across parts of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Although the storms began with only moderate and disorganized activity, they developed quickly into well-organized, explosive storms. As the day wore on, the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center began to issue more urgent updates to alert the public to the growing danger. Several storm chasers began to close in on the southern portion of Kansas, where conditions appeared most favorable for twister development.

As evening approached, several thunderstorms began to take on the characteristics of a supercell thunderstorm. Supercells, which are intense, broadly rotating thunderstorms, are the most violent storms on Earth. They can persist for many hours, travel hundreds of miles, and spawn large numbers of tornadoes. On the evening of May 4, atmospheric conditions made it possible for a number of these supercells to sustain themselves for long distances, spawning twisters in cycles across their path.

After prompting several warnings across the area, storm chasers and weather spotters reported that a particularly violent supercell had spawned a funnel just southwest of Greensburg at 9:20 p.m. By 9:38 p.m., the storm had grown to a half-mile wide wedge as it approached the town, with several satellite vortices observed rotating around the main vortex. At 9:41 p.m., the National Weather Service station in Dodge City, Kan. issued an emergency statement for the town of Greensburg, indicating the extreme peril of the situation.

Shortly after the emergency statement was issued, the storm entered the town near its peak strength. The twister stayed on the ground for a total of 22 miles, passing entirely through Greensburg and leaving 95 percent of the city destroyed, with the remaining five percent significantly damaged. Damage surveys done after the storm found areas in which significant damage extended well in excess of a mile in width. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 205 miles per hour, though the extent and degree of damage don't rule out a significantly higher wind speed.

The Greensburg storm was unique for several reasons. In addition to its ferocious intensity, the structure of the storm as recorded by storm chasers and weather radar was exceedingly uncommon. The main twister was accompanied by several satellite vortices during several points in its lifespan, adding to the resulting damage. The supercell itself was also rotating at tornadic velocities, which is a virtually unprecedented occurrence. The storm also remained visible for a large portion of its life, despite occurring at night, because of its frequent and intense lightning activity.

The Greensburg storm was the first to be rated an EF5, using the Enhanced Fujita scale that was introduced in February 2007. The Enhanced Fujita scale, or EF scale, was introduced as a more effective and accurate way to measure the destructive power and estimated wind speed of tornadoes. When damage survey teams assessed the damage left in Greensburg, they found a total of 961 homes and 110 business completely destroyed, with many wiped cleanly off their foundations. Despite the scale and severity of the damage, however, the number of deaths and injuries was relatively low. This was attributed in large part to the coordinated actions of storm chasing teams and National Weather Service personnel, which allowed warnings to be issued well in advance of the storm.

The frequent lightning, combined with the relatively slow forward speed of the storm, allowed storm chasers to report and document the storm more effectively than many other nighttime tornadoes. Storm chasers are an important part of the early warning system for tornadoes, because they are able to accurately confirm whether a twister is taking place, where it is located, and how large it is. During the Greensburg event, the high number of storm chasers in the area allowed weather personnel and authorities to pinpoint the areas in the path of the storm, leading to better warning time and more accurate alerts. Additionally, many chasers were among the first people on the scene after the storm had passed, assisting with search and rescue operations.

After passing through Greensburg, the storm followed a looping path that nearly caused it to strike the town a second time. The storm system continued on, spawning another massive twister shortly after that damaged the community of Trousdale. In all, the Greensburg supercell alone was responsible for as many as 22 tornadoes, including at least 12 twisters confirmed by the National Weather Service. During the three-day outbreak, a total of 123 tornadoes were confirmed across several states.

Although Greensburg was almost entirely destroyed, the storm helped to reinforce the important role that storm chasers play in the tracking and warning process of severe weather. By having well-trained, experienced people in the field, meteorologists and weather services are better able to track the exact location and characteristics of tornadic events, relaying that information to the public faster and more accurately than ever before.

Greensburg has moved on from the tragedy that occurred on May 4th 2007. From the shattered remains emerged a city that was rebuilt based on an environmentally friendly plan. Much of the city is brand new, and the residents hope to see the continued rebirth evolve for decades to come. One thing is for certain; even a mild thunderstorm will be taken seriously by anyone who saw the power that nature exerted on this small town in Kansas.

What is a Storm Chaser?

When some people think of storm chasers, they may think of the movie "Twister." While this movie did show what it is like to chase storms and try to figure out what causes tornadoes, like all Hollywood movies, it doesn't necessarily show you exactly what happens. In real life, those who chase storms usually do so in a less conspicuous manner. They typically work in areas where tornadoes are frequent so they have a greater chance of finding and studying the powerful storms.

What is a Storm Chaser? In general terms, a storm chaser is a scientist who tracks storms out in the field to study their behavior, particularly when tornados form. One of the main reasons people chase storms is to help determine how and why tornados form so they can develop better early warning systems. Some people refer to a person who chases storms as a tornado chaser because the main goal is to watch a tornado develop and collect information about the storm prior to, during and after the development of the tornado. For some people, storm chasing is more of a hobby, while others chase storms as their job. Those who chase storms as a hobby often want to witness a storm, not necessarily a tornado. Tornado chasers aren't the only type of chasers, though. Some people chase hurricanes as well, though this field is much smaller.

What Do Chasers Do? Someone who chases storms actually spends very little time actually observing storms and the tornados they create. In fact, a majority of a chaser's time is often spent driving around in search of active thunderstorms that are severe enough to warrant chasing. A chaser must closely monitor weather reports to get a good idea of where a storm is likely to hit to help find it. However, meteorology is not an exact science and weather men aren't always right. Therefore, a chaser must be prepared to drive around the area to find the storm at the right moment. In storm watching, timing is everything. A chaser can increase his chances of success by studying meteorology himself to understand storms and their behavior. Once a chaser finds a storm, he will often video tape or photograph the storm and potentially take readings with other types of equipment to study the severe weather and learn from it.

What Equipment Do They Use? Many people who chase storms use GPS units to help them find their destinations more easily. Gone are the days when chasers had to rely on maps to help them find the potential route for the storm. With a GPS, a chaser can quickly change his route to follow a storm without risking getting lost or making a wrong turn. Likewise, many chasers also use mobile Internet to monitor the weather forecast and collect other information about the storm while on the go. In 2004, a satellite-based positioning system was created to reduce the number of dead spots many chasers experienced when using cell services. Storm software, called GRLevel3, was also developed to give chasers access to raw radar footage to help track dangerous storms and watch for tornado signals. If chasers work in a group that travels in a caravan, cell phones or radio devices are used to maintain communciation between the different vehicles. Digital SLR cameras have become a staple for chasers to help them take high-quality digital images. The different settings can help a chaser get better pictures than ever before. Those who chase storms to study the elements often also use weather stations installed on top of the vehicle to record the conditions during a storm.

What Do They Look For? When some people think of a chaser, they automatically think that a person is a tornado chaser in particular. However, this isn't always the case. While the most common type of chaser does look for tornados, not all of them do. In general, a chaser is someone who is interested in severe weather and seeks it out to learn from it and watch it. Therefore, some chasers will follow any type of storm just to watch it. Others prefer to chase hurricanes instead of regular thunderstorms. Regardless of the preferred type of storm, each chaser watches for the same types of things. A storm chaser will monitor the weather forecast to determine when a severe storm will be in the area, and if one is not in the immediate area, where they can find one. When they go out to the site of the storm, they will look for a wall cloud or other signs of a potential tornado, such as rotation in the clouds or unusual cloud shapes. As they follow the storm, they will keep an eye on it for any changes that can indicate that the storm is becoming more severe. If the chasers are out in search of storms without any real knowledge of where the storm will be, they can look for signs of an impending storm. One of the things chasers look for is large white clouds with high tops. These clouds often develop into storms that can be severe. As they monitor weather reports, radar images and other weather information, they will look for certain things that can indicate the possibility of a severe storm. Watches and warnings are often issued in areas that show a strong potential of developing severe storms. When these are issued, chasers should head for the area as soon as possible to avoid missing the action. Other changes they look for include sudden drops or increases in temperature, cold fronts, changes in dewpoint and wind direction changes. All of these changes can indicate the presence of a strong storm, which can easily spawn tornadoes.

Famous Storm Chasers

While many people who chase storms are somewhat average people who simply have a fascination with severe storms, some people have become famous in the field. Those who have become famous have made great strides in determining how storms work and which conditions often lead to the formation of tornados, helping meteorologists more accurately predict the appearance of these dangerous storms.

Roger Hill. Hill is a native of Colorado and has witnessed more than 416 tornados as of 2009. His chases have been featured on television networks, such as National Geographic, the Weather Channel, Travel Channel and more. He has witnessed tornados all over the country, some that have caused a lot of damage.

Chuck Doswell. Doswell is well-versed in meteorology, making him a great chaser. He has a solid understanding of the types of storms that create tornados and how to safely follow them. He is member of several meteorological societies and has chaired many weather committees. His research helped develop the modern views of the supercell storm, those that are most likely to spawn tornados. Doswell has chased storms, both on a professional and a recreational basis. Even though he is retired, he still chases storms.

Reed Timmer. Timmer is one of the stars of the popular television show, "Storm Chasers." He has chased more than 250 tornados during his career, as well as more than a dozen hurricanes, giving him a wide array of experience in chasing storms. He has been interested in severe weather since he was young, which led him to go to college for meteorology, earning a PhD in the field. His show airs on the Discovery Channel and shoots footage year-round.

Eddy Weiss. Not only has Weiss made a name for himself in chasing storms, he directs an organization called Chasing4Life that helps people create disaster preparedness plans so everyone can feel safe when a storm threatens. In addition to his work in the storm field, he has also worked in crisis counseling and rescue work. Weiss uses all of his background together to help the average person prepare for severe weather.

The art of chasing storms can be dangerous if not done properly. While some people who are interested in severe weather may be tempted to just hop in the car and follow any storms in the area in hopes of locating a tornado, training and the proper equipment can be crucial for safety. Therefore, it is important to learn about the way storms operate and how to read severe weather, especially tornados, in order to stay safe. Until a person learns all of this crucial information about severe weather, storm chasing can be far too dangerous. Leaving it up to the professionals and watching from afar is the safest bet.

Historic Tornado Series #1

Mr Twister 

Historic Tornado Series 

Part 1 of 10

The Bridge Creek-Moore 

Oklahoma Tornado May 3rd, 1999

     May 3rd 1999…mention this date to any resident of Oklahoma and you are sure to get a look of sorrow and fear. Tornadoes in Oklahoma in the spring are not an unusual thing. Natives of Oklahoma have become accustomed to the annual ritual of tornado sirens, and most understand that they live in the heart of tornado alley. The Bridge Creek-Moore Oklahoma tornado was not a typical tornado. This tornado was a monster of epic proportions. This beast packing winds of 300+ miles an hour caused destruction and death no one will ever forget. 

     Tornadoes can appear suddenly or be tracked as funnels by a storm chaser for miles before they touch down or dissipate. The EF scale (Enhanced Fujita Scale) for judging the intensity of the storm ranges from 0 to 5 with wind speeds of 110 miles per hour up to more than 300mph. An EF 0 will damage trees, small structures (sheds, playground equipment), and take shingles off the roof. An EF5 is capable of leveling buildings to the foundation and damaging large skyscrapers. The Bridge Creek-Moore Oklahoma tornado of May 3, 1999 was an EF 5.

       The deadly tornado started its path near the community of Amber, Oklahoma and headed northeast, parallel to Interstate 44, just after another tornado had passed over the airport in Chickasha. First reported by storm chasing teams as having touched down in Grady County at 6:23 p.m., the tornado intensified almost immediately from an EF 4 to an EF 5 system. The tornado then crossed the Canadian River, passing into far southern Oklahoma City. As it passed over Bridge Creek, around 6:54 pm the D.O.W. (Doppler On Wheels) headed by storm chaser Josh Wurman detected winds of 301 mph inside the tornado at a height of 32m. These winds, however, occurred above the ground, and winds at the surface may not have been quite this intense. It wavered between EF 2 and EF 5 as it entered Cleveland County, but it hit its highest speed again as it ran through and destroyed the city of Moore. The cell dissipated at 7:49 pm, outside of Midwest City, after crossing Oklahoma County and battering the southern part of Oklahoma City. 

    The death toll from this monster tornado would likely have been higher if people had not had advance warning. Three local television stations in Oklahoma City: KFOR-TV (channel 4), KOCO-TV (channel 5) and KWTV (channel 9) provided life saving coverage of the Oklahoma tornado outbreak. Tornado warnings were issued well in advance of the tornado's arrival. The three stations' chief meteorologists Mike Morgan, Rick Mitchell and Gary England received commendations from then-governor Frank Keating for their coverage of the outbreak. 

    This tornado covered a 38 mile area in around an hour and twenty-five minutes. It destroyed several towns on the outskirts of Oklahoma City killing 38 people, injuring close to 600 people, doing a billion dollars worth of damage, and destroying or damaging over 8000 homes. A “tornado emergency” was issued for the Bridge Creek/Moore tornado, marking the first time this level of warning had ever been used. A “tornado emergency” is used when a violent tornado is about to impact a densely-populated area. 

   As disastrous as the Bridge Creek/Moore tornado was, it was only part of a much larger system that spawned over 140 tornadoes. These tornadoes were spread over a five state area and covered a good chunk of tornado alley. Stroud Oklahoma was hit by an F-3 tornado that destroyed the Tanger Outlet Mall, the local hospital and the Sigma Trucking terminal. While there were no fatalities in Stroud, the economic impact of the tornado was devastating. Mulhall Oklahoma was also hit by an F-4 tornado toppling the city's water tower and destroying most of the town. The Mulhall tornado was a wedge tornado, at times exceeding a width of one mile. Some storm chasers believe it may have been as violent, or more violent than the F-5 Moore/Bridge Creek tornado. ABC affiliate KTUL-TV in Tulsa located on Lookout Mountain was nearly hit by one of the last tornadoes of the outbreak. The outbreak claimed the lives of 6 people in Haysville and Wichita Kansas, 1 person in Texas and 4 people in Tennessee. 

      May 3rd was filled with death and destruction, but one reported miracle took place at Westmoore High School, outside of Eastlake Estates. There was a ceremony going on when the Bridge Creek/Moore tornado hit, but the students had enough time to find shelter in the building. Incredibly, while the structure itself was severely damaged and cars were destroyed, not a single person in the building was even injured.Unfortunately, some individuals tried to take refuge from the tornadoes under highway overpass and this decision ended up costing 3 people their lives. The Bridge Creek-Moore Oklahoma tornado hit 2 overpasses along I-44, while another struck an overpass north of Oklahoma City. It is a common misconception is that it that it is safe to hide under an overpass during a tornado, but this is not true. Never take refuge under an overpass. The safer alternative is to lie in the lowest piece of land available such as a ditch.  

     On May 4th, eleven counties were declared disasters. The Red Cross housed 1600 people in ten shelters that were opened overnight. FEMA sent several post-disaster teams, the US Dept. of Defense sent the 249th Engineering Battalion, and the Corps of Engineers were placed on standby. By the 6th, there were phone banks and donation centers functioning, and the Dept. of Health and Human Services had medical teams in attendance. Feeding stations were set up. Search and rescue continued through the 7th trying to find the thirteen who were still missing. By the 9th FEMA had approved about $180,000 for housing assistance. On May 12th seven teams were sent to aid in debris removal and people began to search for any belongings that survived the dreadful Bridge Creek-Moore Oklahoma Tornado of May 3, 1999. An outreach program was set up to help the victims deal with the stress of the trauma. People who were rebuilding were encouraged to add storm shelters on their property. 

     The Bridge Creek/Moore Oklahoma tornado will never be forgotten. Those who survived this tragic day are thankful and will tell the story with a heavy heart for those that did not survive.