NWS Looking for 4/26/91 Chaser Stories

[Karen Trammell]

(I'm not sure if this is the right "board" to post this on, but here goes...)

Hey guys... Several NWS offices and the SPC are collaborating on a project to document the 4/26/91 outbreak for its 20th anniversary. We have the meteorology, the radar, the products, some newspapers, etc., but something we'd like to have is more "in the field" stories, photos, etc., to document the personal, social perspectives. I know several of you long time chasers were out that day, and there may even be some of you that were or know someone who was directly affected by one of the tornadoes. If you're willing and able and all that, we'd like to hear and use your stories and/or photos.

From the chaser side of things, we're looking for is a mini-chase log type story and/or permission to use excerpts from an already published chase log. From the public side of things (i.e. - if you were personally affected or want to pass this request to anyone you know who was personally affected), we're just looking for the story of "what happened" to you.

The information can be sent to me via email ([email protected]). I can be snail mailed to me at the Tulsa NWS office.

Thanks for reading and for helping us out any way you are willing and able to!

 

[ChristianTerry]

Just wondering, where was this event located?

 

[M Dillard]

Widely known as the Andover, KS event but over 50 tornadoes hit across Tornado Alley

Just wondering, where was this event located?

Outbreak covered from TX to IA numerous deaths and injuries reported. Widely recognized videotape was shot at McConnell Air Force Base as the tornado crossed parking lots at the base housing complex.

Maybe the most famous video was from a Wichita TV crew that took shelter under a highway overpass as a tornado tracked down the highway. That video has been widely criticized for giving a false sense of security to travellers who believe it is safer to shelter under a overpass.

Outbreak also included the Red Rock, OK tornado which tracked from Garfield Co. to Osage Co. over 60 miles and was well documented on video.

 

[ChristianTerry]

Got it, can't believe i didn't recognize the date.

 

[Jeff Passner]

Obviously it's the Andover Ks and Red Rock, Oklahoma day... Sadly, I wish I could contribute, but I had a computer science class that week and missed the outbreak. Normally, I would have been out. My chase partnrer did see the Red Rock F5 and some other saw the F4 Andover tornado (I thinik it was rated F4). I hope you get some response. It's been 20 years and the chasers from that day were few compared to today.

 

[Bill Tabor]

Yep, Gene Moore was on it: http://www.chaseday.com/tornadoredrok.htm. I wish I had chased it, but I actually didn't start chasing until 2 seasons later.

You'll need to contact him for permission.

 

[Greg Stumpf]

Obviously it's the Andover Ks and Red Rock, Oklahoma day... Sadly, I wish I could contribute, but I had a computer science class that week and missed the outbreak. Normally, I would have been out. My chase partnrer did see the Red Rock F5 and some other saw the F4 Andover tornado (I thinik it was rated F4). I hope you get some response. It's been 20 years and the chasers from that day were few compared to today.

Other way around. Red Rock was an F4, Andover was an F5. But that's technically in terms of damage. There is no question that the ferocity of both tornadoes was comparable. Add to that, the Windfield and Ooloogah tornadoes. In my 25 years of chasing, 4/26/1991 and 5/3/1999 were by far the top chaseable outbreaks in that period.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Karen,
I will be sending you some pics of the Redrock tornado and the "infield" story of my first chase...will try to get it out later today/tonight.

 

[Jeff Passner]

Other way around. Red Rock was an F4, Andover was an F5. But that's technically in terms of damage. There is no question that the ferocity of both tornadoes was comparable. Add to that, the Windfield and Ooloogah tornadoes. In my 25 years of chasing, 4/26/1991 and 5/3/1999 were by far the top chaseable outbreaks in that period.

Sorry about that... I get confused 20 years later.. I recall some people complaining that Red Rock should have been an F5 but such arguments are pretty silly. Both were amazing tornadoes. I don't want to name people on these storms because that's rude, but I know of about 3-4 who were out that day. I was learning about OSF Motif that week in my computer class, something I have not used in about 15 years. I remember that whole week well, there was another strong tornado on the 24th in Texas. Still, 1991 was one of the better chase seasons.

 

[Warren Faidley]

April 26, 1991 will be one of my top ten tornado intercepts of all time. Not only was it my first 'violent" tornado intercept, it was the first time I ever recall enhanced wording on the NWS radio broadcasts. The most troubling part was when pink insulation began falling near the road.

My YouTube video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyAq5z2QTnw

Although many will argue, and rightfully so, that the Red Rock tornado was "officially" rated as an F4, it held the record for the highest recorded wind speed of 257-268 mph (recorded with a portable Doppler radar) until the Moore, Oklahoma tornado of May 3, 1999 which had a wind gust of 318 mph. Thus, the 261 mph (F5 wind speed) was achieved / surpassed.

W.