Preliminary survey results are in for the February 10, 2009 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma. The damage survey on the Lone Grove tornado indicated the tornado reached EF4 strength with maximum wind speeds in the 165-200 mph range. The tornado’s widest path was measured at ½ mile wide at times.

The death toll has unfortunately increased to a total of 9 people who lost their lives, and the latest report that I received as of this morning stated that rescue crews were still searching for others. The tornado did significant damage to a mobile home park and several residential and commercial structures. There have been more than 50 reported injuries overall.

This event was a combination of a deadly series of situations – a “non seasonal” tornado outbreak caught people off-guard when they were not typically thinking about severe weather. The tornado hit an area populated with pre-fabricated structures (mobile homes). The tornado was near the top of the scale (EF4). The tornado was a wedge shaped tornado that was ½ mile wide. And, once again – people were not expecting tornadoes in February.

This is an exemplary case of why it is so important to have a NOAA Weather Radio and monitoring your local television news stations during events of severe weather, as well as why warning meteorologist always mention that you should never shelter in mobile homes.

NOAA Weather Radio has saved countless lives in such situations. They sit quietly on a shelf in your home and only sound their alarm when the National Weather Service broadcast an emergency message that affects your area – they are worth their weight in Iranian Oil, or Gold – whichever is higher at the time you read this! Bottom line is that they will save your life! If you don’t have one – get one!

Norman NWS Link: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/20090210/

Tags: tornadoes