All Weather News

Seven Years Ago Today: The Moore, OK Tornado

20 May 2020, 3:00 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On May 20th, 2013, a powerful EF-5 tornado moved through the city of Moore, Oklahoma, leading to 24 fatalities and leaving behind a trail of incredible destruction.

This is also the most recent EF-5 tornado to strike the United States. Here’s a look at the deadly twister:

And the destruction that followed it:

The tornado was on the ground for about 14 miles before moving through the densely-populated Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where it killed several children at the Plaza Towers Elementary School when a wall collapsed during the tornado. After originating near Newcastle just before 3pm CDT that day, the tornado moved through Moore before dissipating in southeast Oklahoma City around 3:35pm CDT.

At its peak, the tornado was over a mile wide.

The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma has more detailed information on the tornado here.

Here are more first-hand accounts from people who witnessed this tornado, including WeatherNation field correspondent Ben McMillan.

Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on severe weather.

About the author