The multi-day severe weather outbreak has left total devastation across the state of Oklahoma. For those residents of Arcadia and Shawnee who were impacted by Sunday’s tornadoes, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. For those residents of Moore, OK who were impacted by Monday’s violent tornado, we are also keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The devastation we have seen from this monster tornado has been indescribable. Current reports are saying that the death toll has been revised down from 51 to 24, with 9 of the deaths being children as two elementary schools took a direct hit. However, with crews being sent to search through the aftermath, this number may rise again. At least 320 people have been injured, including at least 45 children. Please note that all these numbers are preliminary and will be revised as more information is gathered by the minute. The National Weather Service has given this tornado a preliminary rating of EF4 with winds at 200 mph, but survey crews are being dispatched today to further assess the damage and potentially upgrade the rating. Here is the latest information on what we know so far from this deadly tornado tragedy.
Deadly Moore Tornado
OKLAHOMA CITY LOCAL TV AFFILIATES
KFOR Channel 4
KOCO Channel 5
KWTV Channel 9
KOKC Channel 25
NATIONAL NEWS
Tornado hits Oklahoma; death toll revised down to 24 (MSN)
Crews search for survivors after massive twister strikes near Oklahoma City (FOX NEWS)
Oklahoma tornado tears massive path of death, destruction (CNN)
Okla. death toll estimate revised; at least 24 dead (USA TODAY)
PHOTOS
PHOTOS: Monster Tornadoes Tear Through Oklahoma (weather.com)
Tornadoes rip through Oklahoma town (MSN)
DONATIONS
American Red Cross: Heart of Oklahoma Chapter
Salvation Army
NEED A SHELTER?
University of Oklahoma Housing & Food Services
Please note that the links we have listed here are only a few of what you can find on the internet.
Today
We must inform you of the continuing threat for storms today. Storms are still a possibility in southwestern, central/south central, and southeastern Oklahoma this afternoon. Currently, we are watching severe thunderstorms in central and western Oklahoma move eastward to northeastward towards the Oklahoma City metro area. Please continue to be aware of these storms as the approach the area. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is in effect across counties of central and southern Oklahoma until 7:00 PM CDT. Furthermore, a TORNADO WATCH is in effect for the following counties in extreme southern Oklahoma – Bryan, Choctaw, Love, Marshall – until 7:00 PM CDT. Please be aware of any changing weather conditions, as these storms are expected to fire rapidly as they did yesterday.
The Storm Prediction Center’s slight risk for today includes southeastern Oklahoma, which means that all residents in this region need to be prepared for strong to severe storms. Far southeastern Oklahoma is under a moderate risk for severe storms. The timing of severe storm development will be in the afternoon and evening hours, and damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats, though we cannot rule out the possibility of a tornado. Please remain alert if you live in this region.
Due to the passage of the cold front and thunderstorms, highs today will be significantly cooler across the state, even more so than previously forecast. Currently, temperatures are hovering in the upper-50s to 60s for the core of the state, with temperatures in the low-70s in the panhandle. Once the storms move through, the temperatures may rise some but not much. Therefore, expect highs to top out in the mid-to-upper-60s for southwestern and central Oklahoma, the low-to-mid-70s for eastern and northwestern Oklahoma and the mid-to-upper-70s in the panhandle.
THREATS:
Large hail
Damaging winds
Isolated tornadoes
Important Links
Oklahoma Watches, Warnings, Advisories
Looping Central Oklahoma Radar
Southern Plains Looping Radar
Latest Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlooks
National Weather Service Amarillo, TX
National Weather Service Norman, OK
National Weather Service Tulsa, OK
Sources: NWS, SPC, HOOT, Mesonet, AP (photo)
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