5/13/10 DISC: OK

[James Aydelott]

Thanks Chris, how goes it?

Here's the image of SRV from INX (thanks NWS TSA) Notice not only the identified couplet from the Sapulpa EF2, but the two secondary couplets further south along the leading edge.

 

[James Aydelott]

 

[James Aydelott]

NWS TSA just released a damage survey update:

add EF2 from Port of Catoosa to Verdigris
add EF2 from S Inola to Choteau
add EF1 from Kiefer across South Tulsa to 101st/Garnett
add EF2 NE of Morris.

 

[John Farley]

The radar image that James posted is indicative of a mesovortex on the leading edge of the bow echo, not a bow head. It is in a typical location for tornadoes associated with mesovortices to occur, i.e. at or north of the apex of the bow. In this case, somewhat north of the apex, but not at the top end and behind the leading edge as would be the case with a bow head tornado.

 

[Mark L Folta]

Well, what Im trying to figure is why every single damage location I have visited I see absolutly no evidence of a tornado debris field. At Mikes house which was rated ef2 I saw his old shop blown in a straight due east path into his house and then parts of his house and shop due east of midway road but I saw no evidence of debris that was in a rotating storm(tornado), also worth mentioning is there was not a single bit of mud thrown onto any exterior walls nor was there any debris that had blown in a circular pattern. It all just got pushed due east. From my experience a tornado would have debris blown and dropped in all areas. All the debris that I saw that was wrapped around anything was again due east into a fence and was wrapped in the same direction the wind was blowing. I saw no northwest debris pattern,no southeast debris pattern, only due east debris pattern. So I am seeing straight line wind damage arent I? James educate me if Im wrong. I mentioned this to some weather people and they told me they rated these storms as tornadoes so that federal money could be applied for and federal assistance granted. They said if they were called wind damage the federal govt would likely deny any assistance? Any truth to this?

 

[Austin Funderburgh]

If you are counting the city of Tulsa only, I was thinking the '93 East Tulsa/Catoosa tornadoes. However, looking back it might be considered 5/7/2008 (depending on where 1.9WNW of BA is actually) or 2/25/2000 in NE Tulsa.

The '08 tornado you're refering to was a very small, short lived tornado that occured near 71st and Aspen here in Broken Arrow (in the area of Rhema Bible College).

Also, looks like the tornado count from Thursday has been increased to 7. From my own perspective here at 101st and Aspen (145 E. Ave.) in Broken Arrow, I can confirm a very intense portion of the line came through here, which makes sense given that they're saying a tornado dissipated just 2 miles west. Haven't gone out to personally look at any of the tornado damage paths yet (as I've just now found out about the South Tulsa tornado).

 

[Greg Stumpf]

Well, what Im trying to figure is why every single damage location I have visited I see absolutly no evidence of a tornado debris field. ... It all just got pushed due east.

Fast-moving weak tornadoes will usually have most damage concentrated on the right side (as viewed from behind) of the vortex, in a narrow path, with most debris blown in the direction of storm motion. Adding storm motion to the left side of the vortex usually results in winds below the threshold for causing damage.

 

[Mark L Folta]

Wow, I just talked to Mike, he said the nws is possibly going to upgrade the tornado that hit his house to f3 based on some debris in his walls, i saw it when i was out there thursday, the damage looks like someone threw pieces of glass like chinese throwing stars and they embedded in the walls. Im gonna be back over there either sun or mon, ill take some pics and post them when i get them.