1999 Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak: A Devastating Event with Record-Breaking Wind Speeds

The May 3rd Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado

The 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, part of the Tornadoes of 1999, was a severe weather event that swept across the Central and Eastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The most notable tornado of the outbreak was the May 3rd Bridge Creek-Moore tornado, which tore through the towns of Moore and Bridge Creek, Oklahoma. This EF5 tornado, with wind speeds exceeding 300 mph, left a path of devastation nearly a mile wide and 30 miles long.

Impact on Oklahoma

The 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak resulted in 74 tornadoes touching down across Oklahoma and Kansas. In Oklahoma alone, 40 people were killed, 675 were injured, and countless homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the outbreak was marked by widespread cleanup and rebuilding efforts. The communities of Moore and Bridge Creek were particularly hard-hit and faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and homes.

The 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak remains one of the deadliest and most destructive tornado outbreaks in U.S. history, serving as a tragic reminder of the devastating power of these weather events.

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