A decade after twister, Bridge Creek marks survival May 04, 2009 BRIDGE CREEK — School Superintendent Terry Brown opened the doors of Bridge Creek Schools for disaster relief efforts after a tornado barreled through Bridge Creek on May 3, 1999. He probably ran into Kelley McClain, a nurse’s aide immersed in medical efforts at a temporary triage set up in a school gym.... Read More

Most Crossed Off 'Missing' List May 07, 1999 Oklahoma's tornado death toll climbed to 41 Thursday after three more people died at Oklahoma City area hospitals. Fewer questions remained as dozens of "missing" individuals were found safe. Authorities say 742 people with storm-related injuries were treated at hospitals across the state. At least 78 remain... Read More

Anatomy of May 3's F5 tornado May 01, 2009 It wasn't the deadliest tornado ever. Wasn't the biggest, either, or the longest lived. No one can say for certain, but the National Weather Service says it probably wasn't the most powerful tornado. Somewhere in the past, before there were measuring devices and wind-speed estimates, other twisters likely... Read More

Viewing May 3, 1999, through many eyes May 02, 2009 NORMAN — Meteorologists spent Friday explaining the big May 3, 1999, tornado with cutting-edge technology; emergency managers did so with disaster plans and equipment. Amber Murphy trumped them with a coffee mug and her parents. Murphy was the last of four people who shared personal impact stories during the... Read More

’99 tornadoes taught lessons, Oklahoma weather experts say May 02, 2009 NORMAN — The historic tornado outbreak that swept through Oklahoma 10 years ago Sunday taught emergency management directors and meteorologists the same lesson: Warn the public loud, often, and in as many ways possible. Public safety officials, weather forecasters and researchers, television meteorologists and... Read More

Nolan's story: Reporter recalls losing his home on May 3 May 01, 2009 Every spring, the nightmares return. Always, they're a demented version of the moments just after 7:30 p.m. 10 years ago. That's when “the worst tornado ever recorded” — as I call it — ripped apart my neighborhood in Moore. My memory is this: I drive from work in time to see the spinning monster moving... Read More

How radar saved lives April 26, 2009 NORMAN — Recently, I sat down with David Andra, Scott Curl and Chris Sohl, three meteorologists at the National Weather Service’s Norman forecast office who were among those working during the tornado outbreak May 3, 1999. I asked them what were the differences in technology from when you started at the... Read More

1999 tornado outbreak helped Moore prepare for future storms February 22, 2009 MOORE — Gayland Kitch pointed to what he calls his "F-5 windows” at Moore City Hall. May 3 marks 10 years since he looked through the clear glass panes at a life-taking, life-changing monster tornado packing winds of likely more than 300 mph. Kitch, the Emergency Management director for the city of... Read More

STORM'S PATH HAS NO PITY May 01, 2009 Editor's note:The following story was originally published May 16th, 1999 in The Oklahoman In Jo Jamison's back yard south of Amber lie two overturned but salvageable bench swings. Next to one of them, the clothesline is ready for action, and two Bradford pear trees have shed their annual blossoms. Three... Read More

Ten years after May 3 are we any safer? May 01, 2009 Technology is improving severe weather warning systems inside and out. “The systems are better than we had; they’re faster and we have more of them,” said Ed Cravens, the McClain County emergency management director. “Some have Twitter to notify people in their communities, and a new one that will work... Read More

What impact did tornado have on Moore? May 01, 2009 MOORE — The economic boom in Moore wasn't spurred by the damage left by the May 3, 1999, tornado, a city official said. The city's progress has come despite the destruction. “Not only did people not hold back, but they were actually very bullish about the area,” said Deidre Ebrey, economic development... Read More

Tornado's aftermath created changes at schools May 01, 2009 Since the May 3, 1999, tornadoes, administrators in several school districts have added safe rooms. In other cases, they've worked to revise emergency plans. In Moore, the tornado blew away a majority of Kelley Elementary School and damaged parts of Westmoore High School. District officials used funds from FEMA to... Read More

May 3 Tornado: By the Numbers May 01, 2009 The May 3-4, 1999, tornado outbreak was among the worst disasters in Oklahoma's recent history. Here's a look at the damage: Oklahoma and Cleveland counties Homes destroyed: 1,780. Homes damaged: 6,550. Apartments destroyed: 473. Apartments damaged: 568. Businesses destroyed: 85. Businesses damaged: 42.... Read More

Tornado hit home for National Weather Service trackers May 01, 2009 NORMAN — Scott Curl and his colleagues at the National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office were already busy tracking the most catastrophic string of tornadoes they had ever seen. And then Curl learned that his mother-in-law's southwest Oklahoma City home in the Greenbriar Eastlake Patio Homes addition was... Read More

One year ago, Picher felt tornado's wrath May 01, 2009 PICHER — One year after a tornado ripped through Picher, destroying one-third of an already dwindling Tar Creek community, a city official said there will be no memorial service or marker remembering the seven people who died. “Most people are just trying to go on and put it behind them as quickly as... Read More