A tornado near the Harper & Kingman county line in Kansas on May 10, 2010. The tornado was rated EF2. | |
Date of tornado outbreak: | May 10–13, 2010 |
Duration1: | ~3 days, 12 hours |
Maximum rated tornado2: | EF4 tornado |
Tornadoes caused: | 91 confirmed |
Damages: | >$595 million[1] |
Fatalities: | 3 [2] |
Areas affected: | Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri |
1Time from first tornado to last tornado |
The May 2010 tornado outbreak was a major tornado outbreak that occurred on May 10, 2010 affecting large areas of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, with the bulk of the activity in central and eastern Oklahoma. Over 60 tornadoes, some large and multiple-vortex in nature, affected large parts of Oklahoma and adjacent parts of southern Kansas and Missouri, with the most destructive tornadoes causing severe damage in southern suburbs of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and just east of Norman, Oklahoma, where the fatalities were reported from both tornado tracks. The outbreak was responsible for three fatalities, both of which occurred in Oklahoma including a 41-year-old man in Oklahoma City and a 27-year-old woman near Norman.[3] Damage was estimated to be over $595 million in central Oklahoma alone.[1]
Tornado activity continued to a lesser extent until May 13, with a few tornadoes occurring across parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Texas, caused by disturbances connected to the storm system that produced the earlier outbreak.
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An intense trough with dry line activity moved across the southern Plains, especially Oklahoma and southern Kansas, on May 10. For the fourth time in less than three weeks, a high risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center; the high risk covered portions of Oklahoma and Kansas from the interchange of I-35, I-40 and I-44 in the Oklahoma City area, northeastward into southeastern Kansas and eastern Oklahoma ;[4] these areas were in the warm sector. Temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s°F (upper 20s °C), dewpoints in the upper 60s °F (near 20 °C), very strong deep layer wind shear aided by a strong 500mb jet streak and mixed-layer CAPE values well in excess of 3000 J/kg,[5][6] aided in highly unstable conditions capable of explosive thunderstorm development and the likelihood of strong, long-track tornadoes with any severe thunderstorms.
Two "particularly dangerous situation" tornado watches were issued that day covering the majority of Oklahoma and portions of Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.[7][8] Strong jet stream winds above the surface permitted storm cell motions of more than 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) in many of the storms, creating even more of a dangerous situation for residents in the path of the storms as it aided in any tornadoes that touched down to track several miles in a relatively short period of time. Supercell thunderstorms erupted in the early and mid-afternoon hours in southern Kansas and northern and central Oklahoma. One supercell in northern Oklahoma produced large, multiple-vortex tornadoes that caused significant damage in Medford, Oklahoma.[9] The National Weather Service forecast office in Norman issued the first severe thunderstorm warning of the outbreak for this particular storm at 2:11 p.m. CDT,[10] which was quickly upgraded to a tornado warning 11 minutes later at 2:22 p.m. CDT.[11] Hail was measured as large as 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in diameter in Oklahoma and Kansas.[12]
Later in the afternoon, another tornado touched down near Yukon, Oklahoma in the western part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, followed by numerous others in the area with a trailer park flattened near Norman, Oklahoma according to KWTV coverage with at least one fatality and many injuries reported. Within a time span of three hours from about 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. CDT (2030 to 2330 UTC), coinciding with the afternoon rush hour, a total of 39 tornadoes touched down (including most of the strongest tornadoes), with 21 tornadoes touching down in a single hour between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. CDT at the peak of the outbreak. During that hour, there were periods that several tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously. A large grocery store along Highway 9 east of Norman and Lake Thunderbird was severely damaged by a large tornado. Early that evening, a long-lived supercell tracked parallel to Interstate 40 and produced several large and destructive tornadoes from the Oklahoma City metro area through eastern Oklahoma to nearly the Arkansas state line, finally lifting for the last time just before 9:00 p.m. CDT (0200 UTC). Initially, three people were reported to have been killed in Tecumseh, however emergency management officials later advised that there were no fatalities in Tecumseh. Due to the fast movement of the storms, the National Weather Service had, at a couple of points during the outbreak, issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warning polygons encompassing several counties, including one tornado warning that included the entire Oklahoma City metropolitan area and neighboring suburbs in Grady, Canadian and Cleveland counties.[11]
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported that 103 homes were destroyed and that 70 homes had major damage from the storm. In addition, 43 businesses were destroyed, 13 barns were destroyed or damaged, and 69 homes had minor damage.[13] The Oklahoma City Emergency Management's assessment determined that 72 dwellings or businesses were destroyed, 483 were damaged and 226 were affected in some way.[14] The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported that 104 people were treated for injuries. A state of emergency was declared for 56 counties in Oklahoma.[3]
The surface front associated with the storm system that resulted in the May 10th outbreak stalled across the Southern Plains, and a series of smaller disturbances contributed to additional severe weather on May 12 and 13. Eight tornadoes occurred in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on May 12, though no significant damage resulted. Later that evening, the earlier activity formed into a mesoscale convective complex, and produced 11 tornadoes as the complex pushed into parts of southern Kansas, southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma; many of which developed without advance warning.
At 5:20 p.m. CDT (2220 UTC), a tornado touched down in the southern part of Moore, Oklahoma in Cleveland County near the interchange of Interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road (exit 114) and quickly turned to the east-northeast. Initially, the damage was mostly limited to trees as it tracked across mostly undeveloped land in southeast Moore and extreme southeast Oklahoma City near Stanley Draper Lake, with a few houses sustaining minor damage. Damage increased substantially when it reached near the intersection of SE 89th Street and Hiawassee Road as it turned north-northeast through the semi-rural areas of eastern Oklahoma County.[15]
As it approached Interstate 40, severe damage was done to several businesses at Choctaw Road (exit 166), including a Love's Travel Stop which was destroyed and a Sonic Drive-In which was heavily damaged; employees and several motorists took shelter inside the Love's Travel Stop, they were not hurt. Two people were killed by the tornado and 49 others were injured, including many motorists in afternoon rush hour traffic on I-40 who had their cars thrown. Numerous other houses were heavily damaged or destroyed, with a few flattened, as the tornado tracked across residential subdivisions near Choctaw and Harrah. The most severe damage was in the Deerfield West subdivision. The tornado lifted in Harrah, just northeast of Reno and Harrah Road, after being on the ground for 24 miles (38 km).[15]
Initially, the tornado was rated as an EF3. However, due to additional damage surveys finding houses flattened in subdivisions that were difficult to access due to damage, it was upgraded to an EF4.[16]
Another intense tornado developed in the southern part of Norman in Cleveland County, very close to the National Weather Center at 5:32 p.m. CDT (2232 UTC), and initially precipitated EF1 damage to some homes and businesses, breaking windows and doors, partially stripping some roofs, and destroying well built wood fences. The tornado gradually intensified as it tracked eastward through the southeastern part of Norman towards Lake Thunderbird. The tornado crossed Lake Thunderbird, severely damaging a marina with about 300 boats in total damaged.[15] Footage from NBC affiliate KFOR-TV's news helicopter captured footage of a van belonging to a plumbing repair company being tossed by the tornado, the man driving the van was uninjured.[17]
The tornado then hit Little Axe Public Schools with significant damage on that property, with concrete pillars and metal bleachers thrown considerable distances. A large grocery store near Little Axe was severely damaged, its roof completely collapsed, and only a few sections of its walls remained standing. Severe damage was reported in several subdivisions in and east of Little Axe, with numerous houses destroyed or completely flattened and trees were stripped of their bark and branches as it crossed into Pottawatomie County near the community of Pink. The tornado weakened after crossing the county line and lifted between Pink and Tecumseh just before 6:00 pm CDT after being on the ground for about 22 miles (35 km). A 27-year-old woman was killed by this tornado and her three children, initially reported as having been killed as well, were seriously injured.[15] In total, 32 people were injured.
Like the Moore-Choctaw tornado, this was initially rated as an EF3. However, it was upgraded to EF4 in subsequent surveys after additional damage assessments found flattened houses on the eastern end of the track.[16]
Confirmed Total |
Confirmed EF0 |
Confirmed EF1 |
Confirmed EF2 |
Confirmed EF3 |
Confirmed EF4 |
Confirmed EF5 |
91 | 39 | 33 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
List of reported tornadoes - Monday, May 10, 2010 | ||||||
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Kansas | ||||||
EF1 | NE of Marienthal | Wichita | 1827 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A small shed was destroyed. | |
EF0 | NNE of Marienthal | Wichita | 1831 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF0 | SSW of Russell Springs | Logan | 1850 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF0 | S of Russell Springs | Logan | 1918 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF0 | W of Elkader | Logan | 1922 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF0 | SW of Zenda | Kingman | 2112 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Rope tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF2 | SE of Belmont | Kingman | 2134 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | One house sustained severe damage and several others sustained lesser damage. | |
EF1 | N of Norwich | Kingman | 2144 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Damage limited to uprooted trees. | |
EF1 | E of Arkansas City (1st tornado) | Cowley | 2149 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A bait shop and a storage shed were damaged. | |
EF0 | N of Viola | Sedgwick | 2158 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | Tornado confirmed by spotters, remained on the ground near Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. At least one house was damaged. | |
EF1 | E of Arkansas City (2nd tornado) | Cowley | 2208 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Two houses were damaged and outbuildings were destroyed. Initially believed to be one tornado but confirmed as two separate touchdowns. | |
EF0 | SW of Grenola | Elk | 2228 | unknown | Brief tornado touchdown with no damage. | |
Oklahoma | ||||||
EF0 | SW of Wakita | Grant | 2033 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained in open country with no damage. | |
EF3 | N of Medford | Grant, Kay, Sumner (KS) | 2043 | 41 miles (66 km) | Long track, large wedge tornado with significant damage, including to houses of which at least one was destroyed. Tractor-trailers were flipped on Interstate 35 at the Kansas-Oklahoma state line. Two people were injured. | |
EF0 | NW of Medford | Grant | 2103 | unknown | Brief satellite tornado to the main Medford wedge with no damage. | |
EF1 | NW of Braman | Grant, Kay | 2115 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | Numerous trees and power poles were snapped. | |
EF1 | N of Braman | Kay | 2117 | 7 miles (11 km) | One house sustained significant roof damage and two tractor-trailers were blown off Interstate 35 south of the Kansas state line. | |
EF0 | N of Nardin | Kay | 2121 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Anticyclonic tornado damaged a few trees and power poles. | |
EF0 | Cashion area | Canadian, Kingfisher, Logan | 2146 | 7 miles (11 km) | Numerous outbuildings, trees and power poles were damaged. | |
EF0 | NE of Union City | Canadian | 2146 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Tornado confirmed by KWTV coverage with no damage. | |
EF0 | NE of Red Rock | Noble | 2153 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Brief tornado touchdown with no damage. | |
EF1 | E of Marland | Noble, Osage | 2200 | 21 miles (34 km) | Very large wedge tornado which was 1.4 miles (2.2 km) wide damaged several houses and destroyed several barns and outbuildings. | |
EF1 | SE of Marland | Noble | 2202 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | A house and a casino sustained minor damage. | |
EF1 | Hastings | Jefferson | 2205 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | One house sustained severe damage as the tornado tracked onto Waurika Lake. | |
EF0 | N of The Village | Oklahoma | 2213 | unknown | Brief tornado spotted near Quail Springs Mall by an Oklahoma City Police Department officer with no damage. | |
EF1 | NE of Bray | Stephens, Grady | 2220 | 7 miles (11 km) | A few mobile homes sustained minor damage. Many trees, fences and power poles were also damaged. Tornado rotated in an anti-cyclonic direction, reverse from most tornadoes. | |
EF4 | Moore area (1st tornado) | Cleveland, Oklahoma | 2220 | 24 miles (39 km) | 2 deaths - See section on this tornado | |
EF1 | Moore area (2nd tornado) | Cleveland | 2222 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Satellite tornado to the main Moore tornado. A few houses were damaged in the suburban area. | |
EF1 | Moore area (3rd tornado) | Cleveland | 2227 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Second satellite tornado to the main Moore tornado. A few houses and a restaurant sustained roof damage. | |
EF4 | Norman area (1st tornado) | Cleveland, Pottawatomie | 2232 | 22 miles (35 km) | 1 death - See section on this tornado | |
EF0 | E of Burbank (1st tornado) | Osage | 2233 | unknown | Brief tornado touchdown with no damage. | |
EF1 | Norman area (2nd tornado) | Cleveland | 2234 | 6 miles (9.7 km) | Parallel track and possible satellite to the main Norman tornado. Minor damage to houses and trees from this anticyclonic tornado. | |
EF1 | W of Wayne (1st tornado) | McClain | 2236 | 4.6 miles (7.4 km) | The Mid-America Technology Center sustained significant damage from this large anti-cyclonic tornado. | |
EF0 | W of Wayne (2nd tornado) | McClain | 2237 | 0.75 miles (1.21 km) | Satellite tornado to the 1st Wayne tornado, rotated in the normal direction. A shed was damaged by this brief spin-up tornado. | |
EF2 | Norman area (3rd tornado) | Cleveland, Pottawatomie | 2239 | 17 miles (27 km) | Severe damage in a mobile home park with many mobile homes destroyed. A cell phone tower was mangled and the Country Boy IGA grocery store was heavily damaged. Extensive tree damage also took place. Three people were injured. Tornado generally followed the 1st Norman tornado. | |
EF0 | E of Burbank (2nd tornado) | Osage | 2241 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF0 | WSW of Cornish | Jefferson | 2244 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado remained over pastures with no damage. | |
EF0 | NW of Pawhuska | Osage | 2245 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF3 | N of Pink | Pottawatomie | 2248 | 7 miles (11 km) | Several houses were destroyed except for interior walls standing and metal poles attached to poles were ripped from the ground. Trees were also debarked. Three people were injured. | |
EF0 | E of Loco | Stephens | 2250 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado remained over open country with no damage. | |
EF3 | Tecumseh to Bearden | Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee | 2256 | 37 miles (60 km) | Large and intense tornado confirmed by the VORTEX2 team which was 1.25 miles (2 km) wide. Severe damage to many houses reported. The Seminole County Airport was also destroyed and many trees were debarked. 31 people were injured, some seriously. | |
EF2 | NW of Wilson | Carter | 2304 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | Several mobile homes were destroyed and many trees were heavily damaged. | |
EF3 | N of Lone Grove | Carter | 2322 | 4.9 miles (7.9 km) | One house and four mobile homes were destroyed and numerous other houses were damaged. Extensive tree and power line damage, including to high tension poles. | |
EF0 | E of Lone Grove | Carter | 2325 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado confirmed by videotape with no damage. | |
EF1 | SE of Okemah | Okfuskee | 2345 | 14 miles (23 km) | Several houses were damaged and several outbuildings were destroyed. Damage also reported to trees and power lines. | |
EF0 | E of Lexington | Cleveland | 2352 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Damage limited to trees along the path. | |
EF1 | ENE of Marietta | Love | 2354 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | A country store and several outbuildings were damaged, and many trees were snapped or uprooted. | |
EF0 | NE of Bryant | Okmulgee | 0003 | 0.5 miles (800 m) | Brief tornado slightly damaged one house and a few trees. | |
EF2 | S of Henryetta | Okmulgee | 0004 | 12 miles (19 km) | Large wedge tornado reported on the ground in the area. A boat dock on Henryetta Lake was destroyed, along with a mobile home and an outbuilding. Several other houses and mobile homes were damaged and a large swath of trees were damaged. | |
EF0 | SE of Lebanon | Marshall | 0008 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado confirmed by spotters with no damage. | |
EF0 | NW of Willis | Marshall | 0015 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado confirmed by spotters with no damage. | |
EF2 | SE of Burney | McIntosh | 0017 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | A barn and a mobile home were destroyed. | |
EF1 | SE of Boley | Okfuskee | 0018 | 15.5 miles (24.9 km) | Houses were damaged and the roof of the local police station was torn off. Major damage to trees and power poles. | |
EF2 | S of Hitchita | McIntosh | 0023 | 13 miles (21 km) | Several houses and mobile homes were heavily damaged and barns were destroyed along and near Lake Eufaula. | |
EF0 | E of Burney | McIntosh | 0025 | unknown | Brief tornado snapped a few tree limbs. | |
EF1 | W of Checotah | McIntosh | 0028 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Tornado reported by KOTV reports. Numerous trees were snapped and a tractor was rolled. | |
EF1 | SW of Pierce | McIntosh | 0030 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Trees and power poles were damaged. | |
EF1 | Pierce | McIntosh | 0031 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Trees and power poles were damaged. | |
EF0 | NE of Pierce | McIntosh | 0032 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Brief tornado snapped a few tree limbs. | |
EF1 | Richardsville area | McIntosh | 0033 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Large anticyclonic tornado destroyed the local fire department building and several mobile homes and damaged a few houses. | |
EF2 | SE of Hitchita | McIntosh | 0035 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | A barn and a mobile home were destroyed and two houses were severely damaged. Trees and power poles were also damaged. | |
EF1 | SE of Rentiesville | McIntosh | 0046 | 7 miles (11 km) | A mobile home was destroyed and a house was damaged. | |
EF1 | NE of Shady Grove | Muskogee | 0056 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | A couple houses lost their roofs. Extensive damage to trees and power poles. | |
EF0 | S of Mill Creek | Johnston | 0105 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Tornado repoted by the county EMA with no damage. | |
EF1 | N of Webbers Falls | Muskogee, Sequoyah | 0106 | 13 miles (21 km) | Large wedge tornado with significant damage in a campground where recreational vehicles were thrown near Tenkiller Lake. Several houses were also damaged. Three people were injured. | |
EF1 | S of Marble City | Sequoyah | 0127 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Damage to trees and power poles. | |
EF2 | Coleman area | Johnston, Atoka | 0142 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Several houses sustained major damage and others sustained lesser damage. The U Cross Arena and Pavilion was heavily damaged. | |
Sources:
SPC Storm Reports of 05/10/10, NWS Wichita, NWS Tulsa, NWS Norman, NCDC Storm Data |
List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 | ||||||
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Oklahoma | ||||||
EF0 | WSW of Sharon | Woodward | 0127 | unknown | Brief tornado touchdown with no damage. | |
Sources: |
List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, May 12, 2010 | ||||||
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Kansas | ||||||
EF0 | SW of Galva | McPherson | 2038 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country. | |
EF0 | SSW of Elyria | McPherson | 2052 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado remained over open country. | |
EF0 | WSW of Canton | McPherson | 2116 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country. | |
EF0 | SW of Haven | Reno | 2118 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open country. | |
EF0 | NNE of Towanda | McPherson | 0111 | 1 mile (1.6 km) | Tornado remained over open pasture land. | |
Oklahoma | ||||||
EF0 | NW of Vinson | Harmon | 2320 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Tornado remained over open country. | |
EF1 | NE of Bessie | Washita, Custer | 0121 | 10 miles (16 km) | A barn and a house were damaged, along with a few power poles. | |
Missouri | ||||||
EF0 | S of Plattsburg | Clinton | 2320 | unknown | Brief tornado damaged two greenhouses and several trees and power lines. | |
Sources: |
List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, May 13, 2010 | ||||||
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Oklahoma | ||||||
EF1 | SE of Milfay | Creek | 0919 | 20 miles (32 km) | Long track, large wedge tornado damaged numerous houses and destroyed barns and outbuildings. Extensive tree and power pole damage. | |
EF2 | South Tulsa | Creek, Tulsa | 0943 | 23 miles (37 km) | Tornado started in Sapulpa and tracked across much of Tulsa south of downtown. Damage to many houses and businesses, with the most significant damage near U.S. Route 75 | |
EF1 | Glenpool area | Creek, Tulsa | 0945 | 16 miles (26 km) | Minor damage to numerous houses, businesses and trees in the mostly suburban area. | |
EF2 | SE of Okmulgee | Okmulgee | 0952 | 6 miles (9.7 km) | Two houses were heavily damaged and several others sustained minor damage. Barns and outbuildings were also destroyed. | |
EF2 | SE of Oneta | Wagoner | 1004 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | One house was severely damaged and two people were injured in that house. Sheds and outbuildings were destroyed and trees and power poles were knocked down. | |
EF2 | SW of Claremore | Rogers | 1005 | 6 miles (9.7 km) | Two houses sustained major damage, and a metal building at the Port of Catoosa was also heavily damaged. | |
EF0 | E of Catoosa | Rogers | 1009 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | A barn was damaged and trees were blown down. | |
EF2 | SE of Inola | Rogers, Mayes | 1017 | 8 miles (13 km) | A wood-frame metal shop was destroyed and several houses were heavily damaged. High-tension power poles were also knocked down. Two people were injured. | |
EF1 | E of Hulbert | Cherokee | 1037 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Many trees were snapped and several outbuildings were damaged. | |
EF1 | E of Moodys | Cherokee | 1051 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Damage limited to trees and limbs. | |
EF1 | S of Copeland | Delaware, Ottawa | 1105 | 8 miles (13 km) | Many trees were snapped or uprooted and several houses were damaged. | |
Arkansas | ||||||
EF1 | NW of Savoy | Washington | 1124 | unknown | Brief tornado reported by KNWA coverage. Trees were uprooted and snapped. | |
Missouri | ||||||
EF1 | SSW of Monett | Barry | 1200 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | The tornado destroyed a casino park area in the Plymouth Hill Subdivision and a Pizza Hut restaurant. | |
EF0 | SE of Hurley | Stone | 1242 | 0.75 miles (1.21 km) | One house sustained minor damage and many trees were damaged. | |
EF0 | NE of Sparta | Christian | 1300 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | The tornado downed many trees and damaged at least one house. | |
Sources:
SPC Storm Reports of 05/13/10, NWS Tulsa, NWS Tulsa PNS, NCDC Storm Data |
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