Moore/Bridge Creek F-5 Tornado

When we think of severe weather, we often directly correlate the state of Oklahoma with large, violent tornadoes over open plains. While this is not an incorrect assumption, tornadoes can and have moved into heavily populated areas before. There is no better example than the infamous May 3rd, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma tornado. This tornado created havoc and destruction during it's 85-minute lifespan. Ultimately leaving 36 people dead and over $1 billion dollar in damages.

1999 EF-5 Bridge Creek/Moore tornado from Erin Maxwell.

This tornado began it's lifespan at approximately 6:23 PM, in the Grady County area southwest of Amber, Oklahoma. The tornado quickly intensified as it tracked northeast, reaching EF-4 status, then ultimately EF-5 after only a 6 mile track. Upon entering the Bridge Creek area, the tornado was still at peak strength. Sadly, the tornado did not weaken any before entering the heavily populated area of Moore, Oklahoma (southwest of Oklahoma City). 

A view from above of the damage inflicted by this violent tornado.

While Moore and Bridge Creek are often recognized as taking the full force of the tornado, areas such as: southeast Oklahoma City, Del City and Midwest City also experienced damage from the tornado. The tornado eventually dissipated around 7:50 PM near Midwest City. Over 8,000 homes and 200 businesses were destroyed in result of the tornado. This tornado is often studied due to it's immaculate strength and intensity. 

Several years later, on May 20th, 2013, a very large, violent and similar EF-5 tornado struck the region again. 

-Vortex Crew