List of tornadoes in the tornado outbreak of May 18–21, 2013
The tornado that affected Moore, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas on May 20, 2013.
From May 18–21, 2013, a significant tornado outbreak took place across parts of the Midwestern United States and lower Great Plains. This event occurred just days after a deadly outbreak struck Texas and surrounding southern states on May 15. On May 16, a slow moving trough crossed the Rockies and traversed the western Great Plains. Initially, activity was limited to scattered severe storms; however, by May 18, the threat for organized severe thunderstorms and tornadoes greatly increased. A few tornadoes touched down that day in Kansas and Nebraska, including an EF4 tornado near Rozel, Kansas. Maintaining its slow eastward movement, the system produced another round of severe weather nearby. Activity significantly increased on May 19, with tornadoes confirmed in Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. In Oklahoma, two strong tornadoes, one rated EF4, caused significant damage in rural areas of the eastern Oklahoma City metropolitan area; two people lost their lives in Shawnee. The most dramatic events unfolded on May 20 as a large EF5 tornado devastated parts of Moore, Oklahoma, with 24 people being killed. Thousands of structures were destroyed, with many being completely flattened. Several other tornadoes occurred during the day in areas further eastward, though the majority were weak and caused little damage.
The severe threat shifted towards damaging straight-line winds on May 21 as a large squall line developed across the southern states. Further north in Ontario, three tornadoes, including one that was rated EF2, touched down. Over the following five days, the system responsible for the outbreak moved very little across the Eastern United States. By May 24, it virtually stalled off the coast of New England, resulting in several days of heavy rain across the region. It later moved northeastward and was last noted by the Weather Prediction Center late on May 26 over southeastern Canada. During the storm's eleven-day trek across the United States, it produced 75 tornadoes, 4 of which were rated EF3 or higher. Over 1,000 reports of damaging winds were received by the Storm Prediction Center as well. The system's slow movement also resulted in record-breaking rains in North Dakota, New York, and Vermont. Additionally, during the overnight of May 25 – 26, unusually cold air behind the cyclone resulting in record-late snows across northern New England.
Five farm houses were damaged by this large, cone-shaped tornado, one of which had most of its roof and some of its exterior walls destroyed at the house (the other four sustained minor damage). An outbuilding was destroyed, another outbuilding suffered minor damage, and a large 1,000 US gallons (3,800 L) propane tank was ripped off of its concrete foundation and tossed 0.25 mi (400 m). Many trees and power lines were downed, seven irrigation pivots were flipped, and part of a road was scoured as well. The EF4 rating was confirmed based on Doppler on Wheels surface wind observations of 165 to 185 mph (266 to 298 km/h).[6]
A silo was destroyed, a trailer was blown into outbuildings, and a brick home suffered roof damage. A 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) horse trailer was rolled 220 yd (200 m), another trailer was rolled 50 to 75 yd (46 to 69 m), and two irrigation pivots were flipped over. A plank of wood was thrown through a car window and an outbuilding was moved off of its foundation. Several trees and power poles were downed as well. The Doppler on Wheels recorded peak winds of 155 miles per hour (249 km/h) at 230 feet (70 m) above ground level.[13]
Twelve homes in the town were damaged, including three that sustained major damage. Nine transmission towers were also destroyed by the tornado and it was estimated that it would take a month to replace them.[15]
This large multiple-vortex wedge tornado destroyed an outbuilding and two mobile homes shortly after touching down. Along I-35, a hospital that was under-construction had windows blown out and its roof damaged. The tornado clipped the southeastern edge of Carney, damaging or destroying 40 homes and a few industrial buildings there. Power and water supply was knocked out to the town as well. Debris from Carney was reported to have fallen up to 55 mi (89 km) away in Hallett. Video of this tornado revealed extremely violent motions within the funnel, indicating that the tornado may have been stronger than EF3 intensity, but there were no damage indicators to confirm this. Four people were injured.[19]
A home and an outbuilding were damaged just west of the Emporia Municipal Airport shortly after the tornado touched down. Sporadic tree damage occurred along the rest of the path.[25]
A weak tornado, which formed within a very broad circulation, produced a short, intermittent path before dissipating prior to reaching populated areas of Adel.[28]
RaXPol mobile radar data confirmed that an anticyclonic tornado, which was a satellite to the long-tracked Lake Thunderbird–Shawnee EF4 tornado, damaged trees.[29]
A house was pushed off of its cinder block foundation and numerous sheds/outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. Two more houses lost much of their roofs and exterior walls and a fourth house suffered roof, wall, and window damage. A fifth house sustained minor roof damage, an RV was rolled, and many trees were downed.[32]
The tornado remained mostly over open country, but one home had roof damage, windows blown out, and a chimney that was ripped from the roof. A nearby metal-frame barn had large doors blown out on both sides as well.[44][45]
This tornado touched down near Knob Noster downing trees, causing roof damage to one house, and causing wall, garage door, window, and roof damage to another house. The tornado moved northeast, downing several trees before reaching a farm, where several structures sustained roof damage and one lost its metal roof and siding. More trees were downed, and two farm equipment sheds were destroyed northeast of the farm. At another farm, parts of the roofs were removed from two buildings. The tornado continued northeast from the second farm and downed a few more trees before dissipating.[50]
This tornado moved through Blanket and dissipated south-southeast of town. Two heavy air-conditioning units at Blanket High School were blown off of the roof. It caused roof damage to the gymnasium at the school as well as the nearby bus barn. Trees, power lines, steel fencing, and to tombstones at a cemetery were all knocked down. Some of the trees were oak trees that were more than 100 years old.[53]
Several homes were damaged, a metal building was severely damaged, and many trees were downed. The tornado occurred simultaneously with the one below.[57]
This high-end EF1 tornado developed as a twin to the above tornado. Several houses, barns, and outbuildings were damaged. Several trees were downed as well.[58][59]
A brief tornado embedded in a larger area of straight-line winds in the Beaver Lake area damaged one home and several boat docks. Many trees were downed as well.[66]
A brief, but strong high-end EF2 tornado moved through the downtown portion of Mount Olive. The second story of a brick building was blown off and several homes, including a historic two-story home, and business had windows blown out and significant roof damage, some of which had their roofs completely ripped off. Three people sustained minor injuries.[76]
May 21 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, May 21, 2013[nb 1]
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF2 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Hastings, Nebraska (2013). [Nebraska Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Topeka, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Topeka, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF3 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF4 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa (2013). [Iowa Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa (2013). [Iowa Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF2 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa (2013). [Iowa Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa (2013). [Iowa Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Davenport, Iowa (2013). [Illinois Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF4 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF5 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Wichita, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in San Angelo, Texas (2013). [Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Dodge City, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado (2013). [Colorado Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Kansas City, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Dodge City, Kansas (2013). [Kansas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in San Angelo, Texas (2013). [Texas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2013). [Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in San Angelo, Texas (2013). [Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF2 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (2013). [Texas Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2013). [Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2013). [Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^National Weather Service in St. Louis, Missouri (2013). [Illinois Event Report: EF2 Tornado] (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved February 4, 2023.