Preliminary Damage Survey Results from the
May 8, 2003 Moore-OKC Area Tornado, Part I

The tornado damage path can be viewed on this map.

Photos of the tornado damage in the Moore-OKC area were taken
by NWS Lead Forecaster Mike Branick and are available here.

Damage from the tornado that struck parts of Oklahoma City and Moore during the late afternoon hours of May 8, 2003 has been surveyed by the National Weather Service in Norman. Two damage survey teams were dispatched early this morning. This preliminary report covers that part of the damage track in Cleveland County, from south Oklahoma City northeast through Moore to 89th Street. Maximum damage intensity in this segment of the damage track was rated F3, with a maximum width of 1/4 mile.

Sporadic minor damage, mostly in the form of uprooted shrubs and broken tree branches, was first observed in south Oklahoma City in the area of Blackwelder Avenue between Southwest 149th and Southwest 134th Street. This damage continued northeast across Southwest 134th Street (South 4th Street in Moore), and State Highway 37 between Western and Santa Fe. Several high-profile power lines were downed along this stretch of 134th Street. Minor intermittent damage continued into residential areas just northwest of 134th and Santa Fe, with structural damage limited mostly to downed stockade fences and minor roof damage.

The survey team concluded that damage up to this point was not tornadic. It more likely was the result of a phenomenon known as a rear flank downdraft (RFD), strong generally straight line winds resulting from a concentrated downdraft of air which occurs on the back side of a developing storm-scale circulation or mesocyclone. Research suggests that the rear flank downdraft often plays a vital role in the formation of tornadoes within a mesocyclone.

In this case, the damage survey also suggests this.

Tornadic damage began almost precisely at the intersection of North 5th Street and Santa Fe in Moore, near the Church of Latter Day Saints. The tornado initially was quite narrow but strengthened quickly as it moved east along 5th Street, achieving F3 intensity briefly just east of Santa Fe.

The tornado then widened and turned northeast as it moved through northwest Moore, generally along and just north of 5th Street. It widened to approximately 1/4 mile wide from Markwell Avenue northeastward, but for most of this segment, maximum damage was rated F2. The number of homes destroyed or heavily damaged is difficult to determine precisely, but is estimated to be between 100 and 200.

The tornado intensified to F3 intensity again shortly after crossing Janeway Avenue just south of 12th Street. It crossed 12th Street between Janeway and Interstate 35, causing local F3 damage in the center of the 1/4 mile-wide damage track.

The most significant damage in Moore occurred north of 12th Street and west of I-35, where several businesses were destroyed. Damage in this area was rated strong F3, based on the extent of severe damage to two hotels, the First Christian Church, the Young Child Development Center, a Headstart Program building, several restaurants, and an office building. The church, childcare center, and office building were leveled.

Crossing I-35 between 12th Street and the I-35/Shields junction, the tornado appeared to weaken while continuing northeast. Sporadic F2 damage was found from Broadway Avenue northeastward into the southeast part of the Highland Park addition. This subdivision also was damaged severely by the May 3, 1999 tornado, but damage this time occurred about two blocks farther south.

The tornado continued northeast across Northeast 27th Street near and just east of Pole Road, crossing mostly open area around Eastern Avenue and the Lakeside Golf Course. Damage in this area was rated F1, mainly due to the relative lack of man-made structures. However, as the tornado continued northeast toward Southeast 89th Street it clipped a residential area just west of 89th and Bryant, causing F2 damage in the northwest part of the area.

It is worth noting that the damage track between Northeast 27th in Moore, and Southeast 89th in Oklahoma City, coincides exactly and precisely with the damage track from the May 3, 1999 tornado. In fact, the May 3 tornado also struck the Lakeside Golf Course directly, and the northwest part of the residential area just west of 89th and Bryant.

Final numbers on this tornado, including total path length, overall maximum width, and F-scale, will be determined once damage survey results from Oklahoma county are examined. A summary of damage from that part of the track will be issued later.

The damage survey team extends their highest appreciation to Dan Cary, emergency management director for Cleveland County, for his assistance in this damage survey.