Tornado Outbreak Tears Through the Plains; Heavy Flash Flooding in Oklahoma City Metro, Lincoln, Nebraska

May 7,2015


 

Preliminary tornado reports from the May 6, 2015 Plains tornado outbreak.

At least 39 tornadoes were reported in the Plains from Nebraska to northwest Texas Wednesday. Multiple rounds of severe t-storms with tornadoes and flooding rain clobbered parts of the south Oklahoma City metro area late Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Here are some details on this severe outbreak:

• A representative of the Emergency Medical Services Authority in Oklahoma City reports that at least 12 people were injured Wednesday, two possibly critical, in a trailer park near South Hattie and 48th Street. Rescue workers continue to search for people who are still reported missing in the area.
• One person was hurt in Burr Oak, Kansas. No details on the extent of the injuries.
• Cars reportedly flipped in the Oklahoma City metro area. 
• Dozens of homes were destroyed by tornadoes in Amber and Bridge Creek, Oklahoma. 
• Unprecedented heavy rainfall rates led to a flash flooding emergency in the OKC metro area. Water rescues were still being performed early Thursday morning.
• A private 'safari' outside of Oklahoma City sustained a direct hit and animals were on the loose before officials wrangled them. 
• People inside Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport were told to shelter in the tunnels for the second time, due to the tornado threat.
• Over 6 inches of rain triggered major flash flooding in Lincoln, Nebraska, with reports of water rescues into Thursday morning. Over 10 inches of rain fell near Crete, Nebraska.  
• Flash flooding swamped parts of Bowie and Jack Counties in north Texas. One home was evacuated near Bowie and vehicles were submerged in the city overnight Wednesday night.
• Hail the size of baseballs hit Crane, Texas, just after 6 p.m. local time.
• At 6:00 p.m. CDT weather spotters confirmed a large tornado near western Norman, Oklahoma.
• Photos from Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, showed students taking cover in their dorms.
• At 5:02 p.m. CDT a large, destructive tornado was reported near Bridge Creek, Oklahoma. 
• Scandia, Kansas: What's described as a "large and extremely dangerous tornado" was reported at 5:34 p.m. CDT. No word on damage or injuries yet.
• A tornado hit Roseland, Nebraska, damaging at least two homes along with the Roseland Catholic Church. Minor injuries have been reported. Red Cross disaster teams are en route.
• A large tornado was reported in Ruskin, Nebraska, a little after 5 p.m. CDT, triggering power flashes.
• Mount Hope, Kansas: Spotters confirm what is known as a "stovepipe" tornado at 5 p.m. local time.
• Lahoma, Oklahoma: Brief rope tornado reported just after 4:30 p.m. CDT.
• Amber, Oklahoma: multi-vortex tornado reported just after 4:30 p.m. CDT.
• Multi-vortex tornado produced at least two tornadoes in a field in Lincoln County, Kansas, between 2:24 p.m. and 2:38 p.m CDT. No major damage reported.
• Three people were hurt in Cherry Creek, South Dakota, when a community center roof collapsed during thunderstorm winds.
• Brief tornado touchdown in Caddo County, Oklahoma, near Apache around 2:50 p.m. CDT.

(MORE: Full News Recap | OKC Flash Flooding | Severe Weather Forecast)

PHOTOS: Severe Storms, Tornadoes Strike the Plains on May 6, 2015

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