A tornado outbreak wreaked havoc across the Great Plains Wednesday, destroying multiple homes in Oklahoma and causing additional damage in three states.
Additional heavy damage was reported in several areas southwest of Oklahoma City, where a tornado emergency was issued for the communities of Moore, Bridge Creek and Newcastle Wednesday night.
"A low pressure system located in Colorado is pulling warm, moist air well into the Great Plains. This humid air will serve as the 'fuel' that will sustain the thunderstorms," said weather.com meteorologist Chrissy Warrilow.
"At the same time, a sharp turning of the winds from the surface to the upper levels of the atmosphere -- called wind shear -- will allow the thunderstorms to not only strengthen, but to potentially produce rotation within the storms as well. At times, this rotation may make it to the ground in the form of tornadoes."
(MORE: Live Updates for Wednesday's Severe Storms)
Here are the latest impacts on a state-by-state basis.
Kansas
One person was injured and a home majorly damaged after a tornado hit Jewell, Kansas.Another tornado was spotted near Mount Hope, Kansas.
Storm chasers captured stunning footage of the first tornado, which touched down in a farm field in Lincoln County, Kansas. No people were in the immediate path of the cell.
Storm chasers captured the formation of the first tornado in Lincoln County, and Dr. Greg Forbes, severe weather expert for The Weather Channel, said it appeared that “the whole wall cloud is coming to the ground."
Storm chaser Ben McMillan, who was streaming the Lincon County tornado, said he saw debris on the ground and in the air. He couldn’t immediately confirm where it came from.
The National Weather Service reported the tornado damaged trees and outbuildings outside of Lincoln. However, the damage was not significant, and there were no injuries, the Lincoln County Sheriff told NBC.
Pictures on social media also showed the storm.
Nebraska
Strong thunderstorm winds damaged a home south of Hebron, Nebraska.The Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa dispatched emergency teams to Roseland to aid those affected by a tornado that caused minor injuries and 10 to 15 homes. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.
A tornado touched down near Roseland, Nebraska, early Wednesday evening.
(FORECAST: Tornado Watches Issued for Plains)
Oklahoma
A tornado touched down in Oklahoma City, damaging cars on Interstate 35 and leaving a debris path.A water rescue was attempted in Norman Wednesday night on Interstate 35, KOCO-TV reported.
The Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center was activated Wednesday night as severe storms pounded the state and caused widespread destruction.
The following power outages were reported as of 10:40 p.m.
- Nearly 9,300 Oklahoma Electric Cooperative customers.
- Almost 14,000 Oklahoma Gas and Electric customers.
- Around 360 Caddo Electric customers.
Interstate 35 in Norman and Interstate 44 from Chickasha to Newcastle were closed due to storm damage or high water obstructing the roadways, the Associated Press reported.
The Red Cross of Oklahoma mobilized volunteers in Oklahoma City to aid those affected by damaging tornadoes.
Tornadoes swept through the communities of Bridge Creek and Amber, Oklahoma, causing 'extensive' damage. Dale Thompson, Grady County Emergency Services director, told the Associated Press early estimates revealed about 10 homes were destroyed in Amber, and another 25 were destroyed or heavily damaged in Bridge Creek. No injuries were reported.
Bridge Creek tornado damage. #okwx
Bridge creek tornado damage. A daycare here was hit. All children and adults are safe. They were in shelter. @NEWS9
CONFIRMED: This is what's left of the Bridge Creek Fire Department after hit by tornado @NEWS9 #okwx
The Norman Hotel sustained heavy damage.
@kfor tornado damage to the Norman hotel.
Will Rogers World Airport evacuated passengers, employees and visitors to underground pedestrian tunnels a second time Wednesday night due to safety concerns, NewsOK.com reported. People were evacuated earlier in the day as well, as severe storms pounded the area. No aircraft are arriving at this time.
The H.E. Bailey Turnpike was closed Wednesday as storms impacted the area, according to Oklahoma Turnpikes.
Better pic. Tornado on HE Bailey looking from Goldsby. #okwx
Oklahoma City government offices announced early closures due to impending severe weather.
Two tornadoes were spotted in Caddo County, Oklahoma, Oklahoma's News 9 said. No damage was reported.
Severe Storms Producing Tornadoes In Southwestern OK http://bit.ly/1c6Viuh #News9
Moore Public Schools held students indoors and busses at their stops for safety precautions, according to the district's Twitter. The district also canceled evening activities. Norman Public Schools canceled evening activities, as well.
Oklahoma City Public Schools canceled after school and evening activities due to looming inclement weather.
Chickasha Schools in Chickasha, Oklahoma, kept students on campus for safety precautions as severe weather pushed through the area. The district was later given the all-clear and released students.
South Dakota
Three people were injured when the roof of a community center collapsed in the midst of strong thunderstorm winds, local storm reports said.Texas
Winds up to 80 mph caused heavily damaged trees and power lines in Woodson, Texas. Roofs and porches sustained some damage in the area, as well.Hail up to the size of baseballs was reported in Texas during Wednesday's severe storms.
Meteorologists expect the severe weather threat to rise this week, bringing scattered storms with large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes each afternoon and evening in parts of the nation's heartland.
You can get full forecast details at the weather.com Severe Tracker page.
MORE: Tornado Outbreak Slams Great Plains - May 6, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment