May 2007 Tornado Outbreak

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
May 2007 Tornado Outbreak
Date of tornado outbreak: May 4-6, 2007
Duration1: ~48 hours
Maximum rated tornado2: EF5 tornado
Tornadoes caused: 83+ confirmed
Damages: >$153 million (insured in Greensburg, unknown elsewhere)[1]
Fatalities: 13
Areas affected: Most of the Central United States

1Time from first tornado to last tornado
2Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita Scale

The May 2007 Tornado Outbreak was an extended tornado outbreak that started on May 4, 2007, affecting portions of the Central United States. The most destructive tornado in the outbreak occurred on the evening of May 4 in central Kansas, as about 95% of the city of Greensburg in Kiowa County was destroyed by this EF5 tornado.[2][3]The supercell killed at least 12 people including 10 in Greensburg and two in Pratt County by a separate tornado.[4][5][6][7] At least 60 people were injured in Greensburg alone. It was the strongest tornado of an outbreak which including several other tornadoes reported across Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and South Dakota that occurred on the same night.[8] Thirty tornadoes were reported that night, which included some duplicate reports. Seven tornadoes were reported in Colorado on May 3 from the larger cyclone.

The outbreak did not end there; a total of 91 tornadoes were reported on May 5 in the same area. Most were in open country but one fatality was reported in Ottawa County, Kansas near a county lake. At least 10 more tornadoes were reported on May 6 in the same general area before the activity calmed down.

Contents

[edit] Meteorological synopsis

The center of Greensburg, Kansas, twelve days after being hit by the 2007 tornado.
The center of Greensburg, Kansas, twelve days after being hit by the 2007 tornado.

This severe weather outbreak can be traced back to a powerful, slow–moving low pressure area with a warm front to the north over the central Plains.[9] On May 4, the low stalled over the High Plains and additional moisture coming from the Gulf of Mexico moved in behind the warm front and increased amounts of instability across much of the region, with CAPE values as high as 5,500 J/kg on May 4.[10] In addition, the dry line, which marks a divided line between the dry and humid air mass, was positioned over the southern High Plains. This allowed for the initiation of scattered supercells on May 4. High wind shear also allowed for intense rotation in the atmosphere. All the ingredients were present for the developing of supercell thunderstorms producing damaging wind, large hail and tornadoes.[11]

The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather across western Kansas and small portions of Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska for May 4, while temperatures were in the mid to high 80s°F (near 30°C). The atmosphere remained capped for much of the day, but storms began to develop in the late afternoon hours in western Oklahoma and the eastern Texas Panhandle.[11]

A satellite perspective of the tornadic thunderstorms as they were developing on May 5th.
A satellite perspective of the tornadic thunderstorms as they were developing on May 5th.

The most intense supercells developed in the early evening hours across northwestern Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas. They eventually produced several destructive tornadoes, including the devastating Greensburg tornado.[12] The supercells remained in tact well into the overnight hours as the extremely unstable air mass precluded rapid dissipation expected with the loss of daytime heating which would normally be expected in the Plains.[11]

On Friday, May 5 the SPC issued a high risk of severe weather for Central Kansas and central Nebraska, while a slight risk for severe weather extended far beyond there.[13] The low pressure system in place moved northward, but the extending front had barely moved.[14] The storms were quick to develop. Severe weather reports were already coming in by late morning, and the first tornado reports came in during the early afternoon hours.[15] The most intense activity took place during the late afternoon and evening hours as supercells developed along a long line from South Dakota to North Texas. Over 100 tornado reports came in that day, along with hail as large as softballs and straight–line winds as strong as 90 mph (145 km/h).[15] The activity weakened in the late evening, but not before the last tornadoes were reported in Iowa in the overnight hours.

The low gradually weakened and became less conducive for severe weather development on May 6. Nonetheless, the SPC issued a moderate risk for severe storms over parts of central Kansas and northern Oklahoma as the trough remained in place.[16] The activity was far less than on the two previous days, however there were still several additional tornadoes across the Plains.[17] The system finally left the area on May 7 and did not produce any more significant severe weather.[18]

[edit] Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed
Total		 Confirmed
EF0		 Confirmed
EF1		 Confirmed
EF2		 Confirmed
EF3		 Confirmed
EF4		 Confirmed
EF5
83 31 27 11 5 0 1
  • 8 tornadoes were confirmed, but not rated by the Dodge City NWS.

[edit] Tornadoes reported

[edit] May 4 event

List of reported tornadoes - Friday, May 4, 2007
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Kansas
EF? NW of Sitka Clark 0132 Reported by storm chaser. Confirmed but unrated tornado by NWS Dodge City.
EF? E of Sitka Clark 0134 Confirmed but unrated tornado by NWS Dodge City.
EF? N of Protection Comanche 0148 Rope tornado reported by storm chaser. Confirmed but unrated tornado by NWS Dodge City.
EF? NE of Sitka Clark 0150 Confirmed but unrated tornado by NWS Dodge City
EF5 Greensburg area Comanche, Kiowa 0204 [19] 22 miles
(35 km)		 10 deaths - Main Greensburg area tornado - See section on this tornado
EF? SW of Greensburg (1st tornado) Kiowa 0208 Confirmed but unrated Greensburg satellite tornado by NWS Dodge City. 1st of 2 confirmed satellite tornadoes.
EF? SW of Greensburg (2nd tornado) Kiowa 0234 Confirmed but unrated Greensburg satellite tornado by NWS Dodge City. 2nd of 2 confirmed satellite tornadoes.
EF? E of Greensburg Kiowa 0255 Confirmed but unrated tornado east of Greensburg by NWS Dodge City.
EF3 Hopewell area Kiowa, Pratt 0302 21 miles
(34 km)		 1 death - Part of the Greensburg tornado family - See section on this tornado
EF3 NE of Haviland Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford 0340[19] 17 miles
(27 km)		 Part of the Greensburg tornado family - See section on this tornado
EF1 Phillipsburg Phillips 0420 0.25 mile
(400 m)		 Tornado touchdown inside the city limits. A roof was thrown off and a trailer rolled.
EF2 SE of Macksville Stafford 0425 13 miles
(21 km)		 1 death - Tornado reported hitting town by local media. One police officer died while warning the town.[19] Part of the Greensburg tornado family - See section on this tornado
EF? E of Seward Stafford 0528 Confirmed but unrated tornado by NWS Dodge City
EF1 SE of Claflin Barton, Rice 0600 unknown Damage reported to several structures including a church steeple.
EF0 SW of Great Bend (1st tornado) Barton 0600 unknown A house lost its roof. Trees and power lines down.
EF1 SW of Claflin Barton 0633 unknown Moderate to heavy damage, including grain bins thrown and trees knocked down. Several houses damaged, including roofs thrown off.
EF0 N of Holyrood Ellsworth 0708 unknown trees and power lines down
Oklahoma
EF? SW of Arnett Ellis 2321 Tornado was caught by media cameras. One storm chaser filmed the tornado as it was only 50 to 100 yards away from the cyclone as it was moving through open fields destroying small trees.
EF? E of Arnett Ellis 2345 Two buildings and a house were damaged.
Sources:

Storm reports of May 4, 2007, NWS Wichita, NWS Hastings NWS Dodge City - Greensburg EF5 Conformation NWS Dodge City - Main Greensburg tornado summary (update May 22nd)

[edit] May 5 event

List of reported tornadoes - Saturday, May 5, 2007
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Kansas
EF? S of Byers Pratt 2148 Brief tornado, debris cloud spotted
EF? W of Neola Stafford 2222 Possible tornado damage - tree damage and sprinkler flipped.
EF3 SSW of Stafford Stafford 2230 unknown Several houses damaged or destroyed by a 2 mile (3.2 km) wide tornado.[20]
EF? SE of Hudson Stafford 2250
EF? Osborne Osborne 2252 11 injuries according to National Weather Service and KAKE-TV in Wichita. Reported in Northern Osborne. The roof of a restaurant was blown off. [21]
EF? E of Portis Osborne 2305
EF0 S of Raymond Rice 2309 unknown Brief touchdown.
EF? N of Belpre Edwards 2312 Wrapped in Rain
EF0 S of Chase Rice 2317 unknown
EF? Raymond Rice 2322 Two brief touchdowns reported
EF? W of Coldwater Comanche 2335
EF0 SW of Great Bend (2nd tornado) Barton 2345 unknown Large and dangerous tornado on the ground headed for town but lifted before reaching town with little damage. Tornado emergency declared.
EF? Haviland area Kiowa 0015 Tornado reported by KSNW coverage approaching town hosting Greensburg evacuees along U.S. Route 54. Briefly touched down.
EF1 SW of Claflin Barton 0032 unknown
EF? Hopewell area Pratt 0039 Town hit again by tornado for second straight night. Damage unclear.
EF? E of Susank Barton 0041 Rain-wrapped tornado
EF? Macksville area Stafford 0101 KSNC reported tornado hit Macksville.
EF0 W of Wilson Russell 0110 unknown Rain-wrapped tornado reported near Interstate 70.
EF? N of Dillwyn Stafford 0115 Large multiple-vortex wedge tornado reported.
EF1 Odin Barton 0117 unknown Tornado reported in town with damage to at least one house.
EF? NW of St. John Stafford 0133 Storm chasers reported two wedge tornadoes. One tornado was still reported on the ground near Seward at 0149.
EF? W of Greensburg Kiowa 0137 Tornado on the ground approaching the devastated town.
EF? Trousdale Edwards 0204 Tornado reported over the center of the village.
EF? Ellinwood area Barton 0205 Several tornadoes reported in the area. One just missed the town.
EF1 S of Great Bend Barton 0222 unknown A roof was blown off a house and an outbuilding was heavily damaged.
EF1 NW of Bushton Rice, Ellsworth 0249 unknown Minor damage to some outbuildings.
EF? ENE of Seward Stafford 0251
EF? SE of St. George Riley 0334 Tornado reported north of Interstate 70 at exit 323.
EF1 Westfall area Ellsworth, Lincoln 0343 unknown Large tornado reported on the ground near Westfall on Interstate 70. Damage to a barn and shed.
EF2 E of Minneapolis Ottawa 0440 5 miles
(8 km)		 1 death - In addition, five other people were injured near Ottawa State Fishing Lake. One camper was killed near a county lake and about 25 structures were destroyed.[22]
EF1 Miltonvale area Ottawa, Cloud 0508 7 miles
(11 km)		 Outbuildings and trees destroyed. Three homes and a mobile home sustained damage. [23]
EF1 S of Enosdale Washington 0600 1.5 miles
(2.4 km)		 Tornado was embedded in larger microburst that produced widespread 80-100 mph straigt-line winds across the county. Damage reported to one house, several outbuildings and trees. [24]
EF0 SE of Great Bend (1st tornado) Barton unknown unknown
EF0 SE of Great Bend (2nd tornado) Barton unknown unknown
EF0 SE of Great Bend (3rd tornado) Barton unknown unknown
EF0 SSE of Wilson Ellsworth unknown unknown
Nebraska
EF1 S of Arnold Custer 1723 18 miles
(29 km)		 Long-track tornado approached Arnold. Trees and Power lines down, damaged irrigation pivots.
EF1 E of Dunning Blaine 1853 15 miles
(24 km)		 Tornado led to a traffic accident on Highway 2. Unclear if any injuries or fatalities. Trees and structures damaged.
EF0 S of Ainsworth Brown 2022 4 miles
(6.4 km)		 Tornado reported by spotters. Propelled some calves through the air.
EF1 Springview Keya Paha 2048 12 miles (19.2 km) Several buildings damaged or destroyed including a bed and breakfast home. One home and several outbuilding sustained damage. Power lines and poles as well as an irrigation pivot was damaged. One person was injured. [25]
EF0 SW of Santee Knox 2104 11 miles
(17 km)		 Damage reported to old and abandoned farms. Tornado rating tentative due to lack of road access in the area.
EF0 E of Bloomfield Knox 2224 5.5 miles
(8.8 km)		 Minor tornado damage. A center pivot was flipped.
EF1 W of Crofton Knox 2228 8.75 miles
(14 km)		 Heavy tree and power line damage. Several houses were also damaged.
EF2 NW of Crofton (1st tornado) Knox 2250 5 miles
(8 km)		 Tornado replaced above tornado in the area. One house lost its roof and a business was heavily damaged. A marina was hard hit and boats were flipped or sunk. Several motorhomes overturned with two minor injuries reported.
EF0 NW of Crofton (2nd tornado) Knox unknown unknown
EF0 SE of Bloomfield Knox unknown unknown
South Dakota
EF1 WSW of Carthage Miner 2131 unknown Damage to outbuildings
EF2 E of Tyndall Bon Homme 2133 3.5 miles
(5.6 km)
EF2 NW of Howard Miner 2135 unknown Hunting lodge destroyed, farmstead outbuildings damaged
EF2 NW of Tyndall Bon Homme 2143 6 miles
(9.6 km)		 Heavy damage reported to numerous houses, barns and outbuildings. Many trees knocked over.
EF0 N of Tripp Hutchinson 2200 unknown Tree damage and irrigation system overturned
EF0 Dimock Hutchinson 2210 unknown Tornado was confirmed by local police.
EF1 SE of Dimock Hutchinson 2216 unknown
EF1 SE of Mitchell Davison 2220 3 miles
(4.8 km)		 Trees were damaged and a building lost its roof.
EF1 NW of Alexandria Hanson 2241 unknown Windows reported blown out of houses and barns reported destroyed.
EF1 W of Yankton (1st tornado) Yankton 2250 4 miles
(6.4 km)		 Tornado formed near Gavins Point Dam. Several houses were damaged. Considerable tree damage and a campground was impacted at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area where one person was injured.
EF0 E of Mitchell Hanson 2250 3 miles
(4.8 km)		 Widespread tree damage and one house lost its roof. Tornado also crossed Interstate 90 at mile 335.
EF1 W of Yankton (2nd tornado) Yankton 2255 unknown Tornado related to first Yankton tornado that took place in the same storm.
EF3 E of Plankinton Aurora 2305 5 miles
(8 km)		 Severe damage reported to a hunting lodge and reserve, where buildings were destroyed and car trailers rolled. Also many pheasants died. Tornado also reported on Interstate 90 near mile 312.
EF1 N of Artesian Sanborn 2315 unknown 3 outbuildings damaged or destroyed on farm, siding ripped off home, trees uprooted & power poles leaned over.
EF2 N of Lesterville Yankton 2317 unknown A farm was severely damaged with 3 concrete silos destroyed. There were also numerous outbuildings leveled.
EF0 S of Gregory Gregory 2330 unknown
EF0 SW of Gregory Gregory 2330 unknown
EF0 W of Platte Charles Mix 2335 unknown Multiple funnels in addition to the tornado.
EF1 N of Kimball Brule 2340 unknown
EF2 Spencer area McCook, Hanson 0023 6 miles
(9.6 km)		 Large wedge tornado on the ground in area devastated in 1998. Most of the damage was to a junk yard.
EF0 NW of Canova Miner 0039 unknown
EF2 S of Carthage Miner 0056 unknown A hog barn and a hoop building were destroyed.
EF1 E of Carthage Miner 0056 unknown A pole barn was destroyed.
EF1 N of Carthage Kingsbury 0103 unknown Several outbuildings destroyed.
EF0 NW of Wolsey Beadle 0136 unknown
Iowa
EF0 Glenwood Mills 0009 4 miles
(6.4 km)
EF1 Imogene area Fremont, Mills 0050 11.8 miles
(19 km)
EF2 SE of Carson Montgomery, Pottawattamie 0140 11.5 miles
(18.5 km)		 A roof was torn off a building. Tree damage reported.
EF1 E of Oakland Pottawattamie 0200 3.6 miles
(6 km)
EF2 Griswold area Montgomery, Cass 0740 7.4 miles
(11.5 km)		 Tornado formed on the county boundary and was up 1/2 mile (800 m) wide at its widest point. Two commercial buildings were destroyed and several grain bins were flattened. Numerous houses were damaged, mainly roofs torn off.
Oklahoma
EF3 Sweetwater area Beckham, Roger Mills 0147 7.5 miles
(12 km)		 Large tornado damaged several buildings in Sweetwater, including the high school (a portion of which collapsed), a church and the post office. Eight homes were destroyed. An oil storage facility was also damaged. According to KOCO-TV, one person was injured in the storm. [26]
EF? SE of Arnett Ellis 0158 Tornado reported by emergency management.
EF? SSW of Harmon Ellis 0255 Two houses were destroyed.
EF? Vici area Dewey 0357 Large tornado reported by emergency management and spotted by several storm chasers including KWTV's Val Castor about 2 miles north of Vici crossing Hwy 34.
EF? 6 S of Sharon Woodward 0405 A house was destroyed 6 miles south of Sharon.
Sources:

Storm reports of May 5, 2007, NWS Topeka, NWS Des Moines, NWS Sioux Falls # 1, NWS Sioux Falls # 2 NWS Sioux Falls (Map), NWS Omaha, NWS Wichita, NWS Norman NWS North Platte, Nebraska, Iowa 2007 tornadoes

[edit] May 6 event

List of reported tornadoes - Sunday, May 6, 2007
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Iowa
EF1 S of Bayard Guthrie 0937 1.2 miles
(2 km)
EF0 Thayer Union 0945 4.2 miles
(6.7 km)
Kansas
EF? SE of Attica Harper 1520 Rope tornado reported on the ground.
EF? SSW of Medicine Lodge Barber 2127 Large tornado initially rain wrapped.
EF? W of Medicine Lodge Barber 2140 Rope tornado.
EF0 S of Langdon Reno 2230 unknown Tree and limb damage. One of three confirmed in the county.[27]
EF0 NE of Langdon Reno 2233 unknown One of three confirmed in the county.[27]
EF0 W of Hutchinson Reno 2300 unknown Brief touchdown - one of three confirmed in the county.[27]
Oklahoma
EF0 E of Seminole Seminole 0223 unknown Widespread tree damage. Several mobile homes were damaged, briefly trapping a resident. Roofs blown off two barns and power lines downed.
EF0 NE Oklahoma City Oklahoma 0730 unknown Narrow path of tree damage reported, including over Lincoln Park Golf Course. Minor damage to a few structures amidst straight-line wind damage.
Nebraska
EF0 Steele City Jefferson 0630 1 mile
(1.6 km)		 Tornado tracked through Steele City. Minor damage to many houses and businesses, mainly roof damage. Widespread tree damage. Tornado embedded in a larger microburst.
Sources:

Storm reports of May 6, 2007, NWS OmahaNWS Norman, Oklahoma, Iowa 2007 tornadoes

[edit] The Greensburg tornado family

[edit] Storm history and damage

Doppler radar wind velocities shortly before the tornado hits Greensburg
Doppler radar wind velocities shortly before the tornado hits Greensburg

The storm that would affect Greensburg (located approximately 110 miles (177 km) west of Wichita) began forming after 5:00 pm CDT (2200 UTC) in the northeastern corner of the Texas Panhandle. It slowly intensified as it moved northeast through portions of Oklahoma, and then into Kansas. The first tornado warning with this cell was issued at 8:35 pm CDT (0135 UTC) for Clark County, Kansas. Several storm chasers captured the formation of a tornado southwest of Greensburg around 9:30 pm CDT (0230 UTC). The tornado apparently strengthened as it neared Greensburg, and at 9:38 pm CDT (0238 UTC), storm chasers reported that it had grown to over 1/2 miles (0.8 km) in diameter.[28] Several satellite tornadoes were observed as the very large wedge approached the town of Greensburg. At about this time the National Weather Service office in Dodge City issued a very rare Tornado emergency for Greensburg. A tornado emergency is the highest tornado alert possible and is used only for extremely life–threatening situations when a large and likely violent tornado is on the ground and approaching a population center. The tornado plowed through Greensburg shortly after it was intercepted by storm chasers. It was an estimated 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in diameter and was later confirmed to have been an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (the highest possible rating). Based on the damage produced, winds inside the tornado were estimated to have been in excess of 205 mph (330 km/h). [29]

Outbreak death toll
State Total County County
total
Kansas 13 Kiowa 11
Ottawa 1
Pratt 1
Stafford 1
Totals 13
All deaths were tornado-related

The mayor of Greensburg would later state that 95% of his community was destroyed. Many houses were flattened or even blown away. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital sustained heavy damage, and as many as 30 people may have initially been trapped inside. A motel on the west edge of town, two schools, a tractor supply company, the Greensburg City Hall and other businesses fell victim to the violent winds and were destroyed or flattened. The city's water tower was completely toppled and smashed. The visitor's center at the Big Well (which is the world's largest hand-dug well) was completely destroyed. Train cars were also reported to be overturned and hazardous materials teams were called to inspect the wreckage. A tank car was carrying about 14,000 gallons (53,000 liters) of ammonia and the substance started to leak from the tank when workers were starting to lift back the tanker. The courthouse and the grain elevator were spared the worst of the tornado's effects. Meanwhile, the Greensburg meteorite, which was feared to have been blown away, was found and recovered a few days after. [30] The tornado continued north before dissipating, and by several accounts continued to grow as it left town. The total path length was 22 miles (35 km), and the width of the funnel reached 1.7 miles (2.7 km). [31]

Radar loop of the Greensburg supercell at the time it hit the town
Radar loop of the Greensburg supercell at the time it hit the town

After extensive surveys in the area, the National Weather Service office in Dodge City revealed that a second large tornado later developed just a few miles east of the Greensburg wedge. The new tornado rapidly grew to about 2 miles (3.2 km) in diameter as it moved northeast. In Pratt County the tornado destroyed more homes, including one that was swept off its foundation. The tornado also affected several other communities, including Trousdale in Edwards County and Macksville in Stafford County. The same supercell spawned additional tornadoes that caused significant damage across Barton County where it affected the towns of Ellinwood and Claflin about two hours after the Greensburg tornado. Another tornado later hit the Holyrood area causing additional damage.

After additional surveys, NWS Dodge City had confirmed 12 tornado tracks by the Greensburg supercell in Kansas alone on May 4 including the two satellite tornadoes and an additional brief tornado east of Greensburg at 9:55 p.m. CDT at the same time the main tornado was weakening and dissipating a few minutes after at 10:05 PM CDT. [32]

The new Enhanced Fujita Scale was implemented on February 1, 2007, and the Greensburg tornado was the first tornado rated EF5 on it. Including tornadoes from the older Fujita Scale, the most recent F5 to hit the United States had been on May 3, 1999 during the Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak, when a tornado destroyed Bridge Creek.

This tornado event surpassed the number of fatalities registered on May 4, 2003 during the May 2003 Tornado Outbreak Sequence when eight people were killed by three separate tornadoes that affected areas around Kansas City and points south and west of the city; the last major deadly outbreak registered in Kansas prior to the Greensburg event.[33] It was also the deadliest day and single tornado to hit the state of Kansas since an F5 tornado (which was also the last F5 in that state before this event), hit Wichita and Andover in Sedgwick and Butler counties, killing 17 during the Andover, Kansas Tornado Outbreak on April 26, 1991.[34][35] The Greensburg event was also the deadliest single tornado in the United States since a tornado hit Volusia County in central Florida on February 2, 2007 where 13 were killed in an EF3 tornado. It was also the deadliest day for tornadoes since 20 people were killed in six communities on March 1, 2007.

[edit] Aftermath

Hours after the tornado hit, Greensburg was judged unsafe and was fully evacuated. Some of the injured were transferred to hospitals in Dodge City and Wichita. The Kansas National Guard was called in to assist in the security measures. Over 100 Red Cross officials were called in while some worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the recovery efforts. Shelters were established at the Haviland High School and Barclay College in nearby Haviland, Kansas and the Oddfellow Lodge in Macksville, Kansas. [36] After the tornado, looting was reported in the community and at least seven suspects, including four soldiers that were not part of the relief effort and went to Greensburg on their own, were arrested and faced charges of burglary and theft.[37][38] A dusk-to-dawn curfew was put in place in the community after the tornado hit.[39]

Marine One, carrying President George W. Bush, flies over the devastated community of Greensburg, Kansas Wednesday, May 9, 2007.
Marine One, carrying President George W. Bush, flies over the devastated community of Greensburg, Kansas Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

The American Red Cross maintained a list of "Safe and Well" families at their website disastersafe.redcross.org. [40]. Meanwhile, official also set a shelter for lost and injured animals as they reported to had found 163 animals alive in Greensburg after the tornado. [41] Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and President George W. Bush have both declared Kiowa County a disaster area.[42]

Insured damage from the Greensburg tornado alone was estimated at $153 million.[43]

[edit] Nontornadic events

[edit] Flooding

Rain amounts during the first week of May in the Missouri River Basin (courtesy of NOAA)
Rain amounts during the first week of May in the Missouri River Basin (courtesy of NOAA)

In addition to the tornadoes, widespread flooding occurred across central North America as a result of the same system producing continuous thunderstorms. There were two major reasons for the flooding: The storm system itself moved very slowly, having produced significant tornado outbreaks in almost the same places for three days, in addition, the storms moved along each others' paths, so one storm dropped heavy rains on the same place that the storm before it did (this is also known as "training").

Flooding on the 102 River at Maryville, Missouri. The river is normally about the size of a creek and is on the extreme right of the photo
Flooding on the 102 River at Maryville, Missouri. The river is normally about the size of a creek and is on the extreme right of the photo

Across portions of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, rainfall amounts exceeded locally 6 inches (152 mm).[44] In northeastern and central Kansas, rainfall amounts approached 5 – 6 inches locally (125 – 150 mm). [45] [46] In North Dakota[47] , southern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan, heavy rainfalls of 1 – 3 inches (25 – 75 mm) fell from this system from May 4 to May 7.[48] Similar amounts were reported in Alberta on May 3 and May 4.[49]

Some of the worst flooding affected Topeka, Kansas, where several rescues had to be made, and the Kansas City Metro Area, where several roads were closed. In neighboring Missouri, levees broke along the Missouri River which caused extensive flooding to hundreds of homes and the northwest and central part of the state. The National Guard were assisting on filling sandbags to protect homes, schools and plants across the state which experienced some of the worst flooding since the Great Flood of 1993 which affected most of the Mississippi River Valley. Torrential rains on May 10 had also caused flooding in parts of southern Missouri as well as in eastern Kansas. [50][51] The heavy rains also affected activities surrounding the Riverfest (Wichita River Festival) which postponed some events until May 14. [52] The Arkansas River reached record levels near Haven when it crest at 13.08 feet on May 8. Some flooding into low lying areas was also observed in the Wichita Metropolitan Area. Rainfall amounts in southern and southeastern Kansas also exceeded 6 inches (152 mm) over a two day period on May 6 and May 7. There were several reports of farmers who lost several cattle who have been toss by the high water levels. [53]

In Aberdeen, South Dakota, 7.75 inches (197 mm) of rain fell the evening of May 5 into the early morning hours of May 6, causing significant flooding in some areas around the city. It was also the city's new 24–hour record rainfall, shattering the old mark of 5.20 inches (132.08 mm) set in June 1978. [54] The highest unofficial rainfall total was reported in Epiphany, South Dakota where as much as 10 inches (254 mm) fell during the weekend.[55] The highest official report of rain, 8.74 inches at Groton, South Dakota, set a new official 24–hour rainfall record for the entire state of South Dakota.[56]

In southern Oklahoma City and surrounding communities, strong straightline winds caused damage to several buildings and downed trees and power lines in the early morning hours of May 7, with cleanup efforts being complicated due to flooding rains accompanying the storm. About 11,000 homes were without power during the event. [57] There were also reports of floods across many other areas in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry had declared a state of emergency for all 77 counties across the state due to all the severe weather including the tornadoes, the flash floods and hail.[58]

[edit] Snowfall

Snow was also reported across higher elevations in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Utah with local amounts of up to one foot (30 cm) across central Colorado.[59]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.kansas.com/greensburg/story/102573.html
  2. ^ "At Least 10 Dead After Supercell Tornado Demolishes Kansas Town", FoxNews.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-05. 
  3. ^ KAKE-TV. Greensburg Tornado Rated at EF-5. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  4. ^ KAKE-TV. "Police Officer Injured In Tornado Dies". Retrieved on 2007-05-09. 
  5. ^ "Death toll rises to nine after tornado destroys Kansas town", The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved on 2007-05-06. 
  6. ^ "Deadly twister flattens Kansas town", CNN. Retrieved on 2007-05-05. 
  7. ^ CNN, Storm-hit Kansas residents return home 6:30 am EDT, May 8, 2007, retrieved 7:50 am EDT, May 8, 2007.
  8. ^ SPC Storm Reports for 5/4/07. Storm Prediction Center (May 4, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  9. ^ US Department of Commerce. Daily Weather Maps, Saturday May 5, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  10. ^ Davies, Jon. CAPE/CIN (J/Kg, Saturday May 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  11. ^ a b c Davies, Jon. The Greensburg Tornado Environment on 4 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  12. ^ NOAA, National Weather Service. Tornado Watch 227. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  13. ^ Storm Prediction Center. May 5, 2007 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  14. ^ Daily Weather Maps, Sunday May 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  15. ^ a b SPC Storm Reports for 5/5/07. Storm Prediction Center (May 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  16. ^ Storm Prediction Center. May 6, 2007 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  17. ^ SPC Storm Reports for 5/6/07. Storm Prediction Center (May 6, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  18. ^ SPC Storm Reports for 5/7/07. Storm Prediction Center (May 7, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  19. ^ a b c KAKE-TV. Greensburg Tornado - Fact Sheet. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
  20. ^ Storm Prediction Center. 2007 Tornado Fatality Information. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  21. ^ KAKE-TV. Saturday Twisters Rip into Osborne. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  22. ^ KAKE-TV, Wichita, Kansas. Weekend Storm Total Climbs to 10. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  23. ^ NWS Topeka, Kansas. Severe Weather, May 5. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
  24. ^ NWS Topeka, Kansas. Severe Weather, May 5. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
  25. ^ NWS North Platte, Nebraska. SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTED MUCH OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA SATURDAY. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  26. ^ KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK. Cleanup Begins Following Damaging Tornadoes. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  27. ^ a b c NWS Wichita. May 5th and 6th severe weather produces several tornadoes and widespread flooding.. Retrieved on 2007-05-12.
  28. ^ Robb Lawson. Barton and Ellsworth County Tornado. National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  29. ^ CNN. Survivors sought as more storms threaten Plains. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  30. ^ KAKE-TV. "Greensburg Meteorite Recovered". Retrieved on 2007-05-09. 
  31. ^ Search Resumes in Devastated Kansas Town. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  32. ^ NWS Dodge City. Greensburg Tornado Rated EF-5 (updated May 22). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  33. ^ Tornadoes of the Past. The Tornado Project (2003). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  34. ^ Sedgwick County Tornado Details. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  35. ^ Butler County Tornado Details. National Climatic Data Center (April 26, 1991). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  36. ^ Greensburg Suffers Significant Damage In Tornado. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  37. ^ KAKE-TV. Soldiers Accused of Looting in Court. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
  38. ^ CNN.com. Looting suspects arrested in storm-ravaged Kansas town. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  39. ^ Probst, Jason. "Officials to tour area today; dusk-to-dawn curfew in place", The Hutchinson News, May 7, 2007. 
  40. ^ Red Cross Safe and Well Website. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  41. ^ KAKE-TV. "Animals Are Tornado Victims Too". Retrieved on 2007-05-09. 
  42. ^ KAKE-TV. President Bush Declares Disaster in Kansas. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  43. ^ http://www.kansas.com/greensburg/story/102573.html
  44. ^ NWS Omaha, Nebraska. 24 Hour Rainfall Reports Received the Morning of Sunday May 6th, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  45. ^ NWS Topeka, Kansas. 24 hour precipitation ending around 7 AM May 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  46. ^ NWS Wichita, Kansas. Weekend of Severe Weather For Central Kansas!. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  47. ^ NWS Bismarck, North Dakota. Precipitation Totals - May 4-7, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  48. ^ Public Weather Warnings for Canada. Environment Canada (May 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  49. ^ Special Weather Statements for Alberta. Environment Canada (May 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
  50. ^ CNN.com. Missouri flooding keeps sandbaggers busy. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
  51. ^ NWS St. Louis. MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED ON THE MISSOURI RIVER. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  52. ^ KAKE-TV. Riverfest Deals With Rising Water. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
  53. ^ NWS Wichita. Record and near Record Flooding the 2nd week of May. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  54. ^ NWS Aberdeen, South Dakota. Record Rainfall. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  55. ^ NWS Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Storm Total Rainfall Reports for the Weekend. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  56. ^ {{cite |author = NWS Aberdeen, South Dakota}
  57. ^ Newsok.com. Rain causes flooding; bridge collapse; power outages.
  58. ^ KOCO-TV. State Of Emergency Declared For All 77 Counties. Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
  59. ^ NWS Denver, Colorado. NE Colorado Snow Event Recap May 5-7 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2007_Tornado_Outbreak"
Personal tools