How Does the Fairdale Tornado Compare to the 2013 El Reno and Moore Tornadoes?

Linda Lam
Published: April 12,2015



 
The large, violent tornado that ripped across part of northern Illinois Thursday night developed right in front of storm chasers, who were able to stream the video online, as well as on The Weather Channel.
The National Weather Service assigned a preliminary EF4 rating to Thursday's tornado in Fairdale. Investigators are still taking a look at some details before they issue a final report, but one thing is certain: Tornadoes of that size and magnitude aren't always as visible as Thursday's. It brought back deja vu for people who had watched similar large tornadoes tear across both El Reno and Moore, Oklahoma, just 11 days apart in May 2013. But how much do the three tornadoes have in common? Here's what we found:
(MORE: 12 People Rescued From Destroyed Restaurant)

A comparison between Thursday's Fairdale tornado and two infamous and deadly Oklahoma tornadoes from 2013.

Fairdale, Illinois

In this photo provided by Emily Mains, a tornado is viewed near Pearl Street from a home in the Kennedy's subdivision in Kirkland, Ill., on Thursday, April 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Emily Mains)

Keeping in mind we're still waiting for a final NWS report on the Illinois tornado. We do know it went through Fairdale at around 7:15 pm Thursday. As of Friday evening 2 people have died and 22 are reported injured.
The path of this tornado may have started near Franklin Grove in Lee county and continued to an area north of Rochelle and Hillcrest, across I-39 into Fairdale and dissipated near Kirkland. This is a path of 28.7 miles. However, it is possible that additional adjustments will be made -- we will wait for the final survey to know for sure.
(MORE: Damage in Northern Illinois)
Every home in the community of 200 people was affected by the storm, authorities said. After crews had a chance to look at the damage, Kirkland Fire Department Chief Chad Connell estimated as many as 18 homes were completely swept off their foundations.
 Chief Connell watched the tornado move across the area from his front porch. "It was big. I've never seen anything like it in my life," he said.
The last tornado in DeKalb County before this was on May 13, 2011 (tornado was rated an EF0), according to the National Weather Service office in Chicago.

El Reno, Oklahoma

Image by Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel.

The tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma, was unusually large and is in fact is the widest tornado with a width of 2.6 miles, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
According to the National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, on May 31, 2013, the El Reno tornado damaged numerous homes and businesses near the town, but spared the airport and the city itself a direct hit. The tornado developed at 6:03 CDT and moved southeast at 20 to 25 mph. Then the tornado turned east and continued to expand in size. At 6:19 p.m. the tornado abruptly turned north while accelerating to greater than 50 mph. From 5:25 to 5:26 p.m. the tornado reached its largest size and greatest intensity. The tornado slowed as it approached I-40. It eventually moved east and dissipated at 5:42 p.m.
(MORE: Widest Tornado On Record)
The damaging wind swath was larger than the 2.6 miles as non-tornadic downdraft winds extended for at least a mile south of the tornado. In addition, all eight people that were killed were in vehicles, including three severe storm researchers.

Moore, Oklahoma

A tornado moves past homes in Moore, Okla. on Monday, May 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

The tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013, was rated an EF5. The tornado had a length of approximately 14 miles and was on the ground for about 40 minutes (from 2:56 pm to 3:35 pm CDT). As of April 9, 2015, this is the most recent tornado rated an EF5.
The maximum width of the tornado was estimated to be 1.1 miles. The tornado formed just south of Oklahoma State Highway 37 in Newcastle and crossed State Highway 37. The tornado then crossed the Canadian River near I-44 and moved east into more densely populated suburban areas of southwestern Oklahoma City, including Moore. After crossing I-35 the tornado continued to produce EF4 damage before finally dissipating in southeastern Oklahoma City.
(MORE: Moore, Oklahoma City Tornado History)
This tornado was part of a tornado outbreak that occurred that day and was the strongest one, according the National Weather Service office in Norman. Catastrophic damage was observed causing billions of dollars in damage. Over 300 homes experienced at least EF4 damage and 24 people lost their lives, including 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary School.
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