Couple of Stormy Anniversaries

Written by: Brian Neudorff

As a meteorologist, most of what we've learned about forecasting the weather, comes from studying past weather events. That is why it is important to highlight some of these events. Today and over the weekend, there were 2 monumental events we look back on, when it comes to tornado outbreaks.

Ten years ago May 3, 1999, multiple supercell thunderstorms produced many large and damaging tornadoes in central Oklahoma during the late afternoon and evening hours. The most significant tornado first touched down southwest of Chickasha, Oklahoma, and became an F5 before dissipating over Midwest City, Oklahoma. The tornado tore through Bridge Creek, Oklahoma and Moore, Oklahoma, causing $1.1 billion in damage. Thirty-six people were killed in this tornado. More than 8000 homes were badly damaged or destroyed. This tornado had a Doppler Radar estimate wind speed of 318 mph. This is not official because it was measured above ground by a Doppler Radar. NEWSOK.com also has a retrospective.

On May 4th, 2007, The first EF-5 tornado in the United States since 1999 destroyed the town of Greensburg in southwest Kansas. This tornado destroyed 95% of the town of Greensburg, Kansas and killed 11 people, injuring 60 and causing $153 million in damages. Two years later Greensburg continues to rebuild. Watching the CBS Early Show Monday morning, they reported that of the 1600 residents before the tornado only half have returned. As Greensburg tries to rebuild the slogan of the town is, “Greensburg: Better, Stronger, Greener!” Two years later, some of the most energy-efficient buildings in the country are in Greensburg, and 100 of the 300 rebuilt homes use green technology. The Discovery Channel's Planet Green channel is starting Season 2 of their series "Greensburg" this week, visit their site for a lot of great links.