Skip Navigation Links www.nws.noaa.gov  
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service Forecast Office NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
Norman, Oklahoma
 Significant Storms

 10/04/1998 Information
  Storm Summary
  Moore, OK Tornado
   You are at: NWS » NWS SRH » NWS Norman » Significant Storms » 10/04/1998 Moore Tornado

The Cleveland County Tornadoes
(Moore, OK) - October 4, 1998

Summary:

Surveyer: Greg Stumpf, National Severe Storms Laboratory

  • Time: Approximately 8:34 - 8:41 pm CDT
  • Length: Just over 3 miles
  • Width:
    F0: 1/3 mile at its widest;
    F1/F2: about 300 yards at its widest
  • Maximum Damage Rating: low-end F2 (spotty); mostly F1

The tornado developed about 1/2 mile north of SW 19th Ave, just east of Santa Fe Ave. It tracked almost due north at first, and then curved NNE. The primary damage from this tornado was to vegetation, wood fence paneling, and roof shingles. Although the above map indicates distinct areas of F1 and F2 damage, these damages (structural damage to homes and businesses) occurred mostly in spotty locations. The reason for this was due to either suction vortex action, or the combination of building construction and orientation to the wind. Several homes lost all or parts of their roofs, leaving them uninhabitable. One home lost a portion of an exterior wall. The tornado crossed Sheilds Ave. and tore some roofing sections off of a few warehouses. The tornado then dissipated just west of I-35.

Map of Moore, OK

Key:

  • Green (F0 - mostly vegetation, wood fence paneling, shingles)
  • Red (F1 - major tree damage, minor structural damage to homes and businesses)
  • Yellow (F2 - Roofs removed from homes, some exterior wall damage)

Photographs (select image to get larger version):




National Weather Service
Norman, Oklahoma
1200 Westheimer Drive
Room 101
Norman, OK 73069

Updated on July 12, 2003
Disclaimer Privacy Policy