May 3, 1999: Live from Chopper 4. 🚁
Jim Gardner and KFOR Chopper 4 provided the world with the most iconic aerial footage in history during the May 3, 1999, outbreak.
His reporting from Chopper 4 gave viewers and emergency personnel a vital, real-time look at the F5’s path through Bridge Creek, Moore, Del City, and Tinker AFB.
27 years later, this footage remains the gold standard for storm coverage.
Pilot: @jimintheair
Credit: KFOR-TV
#okwx #oklahoma
On this day, 27 years ago, we chased what is well-known as the strongest #tornado in History.
This shows the F5 tornado near peak intensity, just after devastating the community of Bridge Creek, Oklahoma.
Aa freshman meteorology students at OU, we stupidly abandoned our Geo Tracker and took shelter under an overpass. Research was published that overpasses can accelerate the tornadic wind and be even more dangerous.
We then saw the terrible devastation in Moore, Oklahoma with horses wandering down the highway and people emerging from their destroyed homes. Over 50 people lost their lives from the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak.
There was another massive violent tornado with a supercell to the north near Mulhall, Oklahoma that peaked after sunset.
The tornado outbreak was still going when I woke up for class the next morning at 7 am.
This is a day that Oklahomans will never forget. Enjoy the nice weather this May 3,
A very rare PDS tornado watch has been issued by the SPC. PDS tornado watches only get issued 1-2 times per year and are only used in extreme circumstances. This area needs to be weather aware for significant/violent(EF4+) tornadoes this afternoon and evening!
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as additional footage from earlier during the Tornado Emergency shows a violent tornado passing dangerously close to multiple people filming as it strikes near or at Vance Air Force Base in Enid Oklahoma. Dozens of reports indicate numerous buildings have been flattened, with cars violently thrown through the air as the tornado rips through the area. This is an extremely dangerous and destructive storm unfolding in real time.
🚨#BREAKING: A Tornado Emergency has been issued as an extremely violent, life-threatening tornado is on the ground, directly impacting an Air Force base.
📌#Endi | #oklahoma
A Tornado Emergency has been issued by the National Weather Service for a rare, catastrophic, and life-threatening situation. A confirmed, extremely large and violent tornado is currently on the ground , producing devastating damage as it moves through the area. The tornado has directly struck Vance Air Force Base, where multiple structures have sustained heavy damage, debris is being launched into the air, and vehicles are being tossed and destroyed by powerful winds. This is a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation, with conditions continuing to worsen. This tornado is capable of total destruction. Large debris is airborne, and the storm is producing extreme, deadly wind speeds. Lives are at immediate risk. If you are anywhere near this storm: TAKE COVER NOW. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. If you are in a vehicle or mobile home, abandon it immediately and seek sturdy shelter. Do NOT wait. Do NOT try to outrun this storm. This is a life-threatening emergency.
Video of the violent tornado near Enid, Oklahoma, sent in earlier by Matt.
We’re continuing to track the damage and ongoing storms live now.
WATCH: https://t.co/Cg8YMhAN2C
Storm chaser @AaronRigsbyOSC captured the moment a destructive tornado struck a building near Rockton, Illinois, on Friday evening, sending debris flying through the sky.