Picher-Neosho Tornado Map
In the afternoon and early evening hours of May 10, 2008, a large and violent tornado moved through Eastern Oklahoma and western Missouri, striking the communities of Picher, Quapaw, Racine and Granby. Twenty-one people were killed by the tornado and over three hundred more were injured. The tornado produced damage that would later receive an EF4 rating. It was one of first nine to receive this rating worldwide in 2008, and was the second-deadliest of the year.
The path of the Picher-Neosho tornado
On the evening of Saturday, May 10, 2008, a tornado touched down 4 miles southwest of Chetopa. Over the next 75.5 miles it traveled east across Oklahoma and Missouri, passing through Quapaw and Newtonia, before lifting 8 miles east of Purdy.
At its widest the damage path was 1,760 yards (1.0 miles) across. It was rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a violent tornado. It killed 21 people and injured 350.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from the Storm Prediction Center's survey record, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
What was the Picher-Neosho tornado?
The Picher-Neosho tornado was a large and violent storm that struck Eastern Oklahoma and western Missouri on May 10, 2008. It devastated the community of Picher and passed near other towns including Racine and Granby. The National Weather Service assigned the storm an EF4 rating after conducting ground surveys of the damage. This event ranks as one of the deadliest tornadoes to occur during the 2008 calendar year.
What was the Picher-Neosho tornado wind speed?
The provided text does not specify an exact maximum wind speed recorded for this event. However, forensic engineers and National Weather Service surveyors classified the storm as an EF4 based on the physical damage to infrastructure. This classification indicates extreme wind speeds capable of collapsing exterior walls and leveling sturdy structures. Surveyors noted that the tornado exhibited sharp damage gradation while maintaining this high intensity over several miles.
What was the Picher-Neosho tornado path?
The tornado touched down near the Oklahoma-Kansas state border, south of Chetopa, Kansas. It tracked eastward through Ottawa County, Oklahoma, directly hitting the town of Picher before passing north of Quapaw and Peoria. The system crossed into Missouri, where it moved through Newton and Barry counties. The storm eventually lifted southeast of the community of McDowell. The documented ground survey by Timothy P. Marshall covered a 1.2-mile path within Picher city limits.
How many people died in the Picher-Neosho tornado?
Twenty-one people died as a direct result of the tornado. Fatalities included six individuals in Picher, Oklahoma, and fifteen in Newton and Barry counties, Missouri. Nine victims died inside vehicles, while twelve others perished while inside homes. Additionally, at least 150 people sustained injuries in the Picher area alone, with nearly 20 more hospitalized in Newton County.
What did the Picher-Neosho tornado destroy?
The tornado flattened a 20-block stretch of Picher, destroying or sweeping away many homes and businesses. It caused catastrophic damage to the southeastern portions of the town, specifically along South Francis and South Emily streets. The storm also destroyed a church building and numerous houses near the intersection of US 60 and Route 59. In Missouri, it threw automobiles as far as one-half mile away and destroyed several mobile homes.
What caused the Picher-Neosho tornado?
A powerful supercell produced the Picher-Neosho tornado during a broader outbreak across the southern Plains. Atmospheric conditions favored severe storm development, with temperatures reaching the 80s in some areas. CAPE values measured between 1000 and 2000 J/kg near the center of the low pressure system. Additionally, helicity levels exceeded 250 m2/s2, prompting forecasters to issue a moderate risk of severe storms for the region.
What happened after the Picher-Neosho tornado?
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry deployed National Guard troops and emergency personnel to assist with the immediate aftermath in Picher. Federal and state officials later confirmed that no funding would be provided for rebuilding the town. The government had previously planned home buyouts due to mining hazards, and Picher eventually became an unincorporated area in 2013. US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff visited the site, famously comparing the destruction to the effects of a small nuclear bomb.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Citations
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