Katie-Wynnewood tornado
During the late afternoon hours of May 9, 2016, a violent multi-vortex EF4 tornado struck southern Katie, Oklahoma and areas southwest of Wynnewood, Oklahoma. During its 21-minute course, the tornado was extremely erratic and killed one person while causing $1,000,000 (2016 USD) in damages. The tornado was extremely photogenic, and was heavily documented by storm chasers and civilians.
What was the KatieWynnewood tornado?
The KatieWynnewood tornado was a violent multi-vortex event that struck southern Katie and areas southwest of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, on May 9, 2016. The storm tracked for 21 minutes and caused significant structural damage. Initially rated as a high-end EF3, the National Weather Service eventually upgraded the event to an EF4. It stands as the only violent tornado of the May 7 to 10, 2016, outbreak.
What was the KatieWynnewood tornado wind speed?
The KatieWynnewood tornado reached peak estimated wind speeds of 170 mph. During its lifecycle, the storm produced varying wind intensities, including EF1 winds of 110 mph and EF3 winds of 140 mph. It also generated lower-intensity wind events, such as 87 mph and 79 mph gusts that impacted specific manufactured and standard homes. Meteorologists determined these values through post-event ground surveys.
What was the KatieWynnewood tornado path?
The KatieWynnewood tornado touched down on North County Road 3170. It traveled eastward for a total distance of 9 miles through rural portions of Katie and Wynnewood. The path included crossings at North Private Drive, the Wildhorse Creek Reservoir, and North County Road 3210. The vortex dissipated to the west of Interstate 35 at 3:27 p.m. with a maximum width of 400 yards.
How many people died in the KatieWynnewood tornado?
The KatieWynnewood tornado resulted in one confirmed fatality. 76-year old Chester Barnes died after a modular home was destroyed by the violent winds. Responders found the victim outside a home near the Interstate 35 service road. No other injuries or deaths were reported in connection with this specific storm.
What did the KatieWynnewood tornado destroy?
The KatieWynnewood tornado destroyed multiple manufactured homes and standard houses along its 9-mile track. One specific home sustained EF4 damage that left its foundation swept clean of debris. The storm also mangled vehicles, snapped hardwood trees, and debarked vegetation. It damaged or destroyed power lines and deroofed several farm structures throughout the region.
What caused the KatieWynnewood tornado?
Severe thunderstorms developed ahead of a dry line across central Oklahoma on the afternoon of May 9, 2016. A strong trough of low pressure moved into the region from the southern Rocky Mountains to trigger the activity. This atmospheric environment supported the development of strong, tornado-producing supercells. These conditions ultimately fueled the formation and intensification of this particular violent vortex.
What happened after the KatieWynnewood tornado?
Following the dissipation of the tornado, the National Weather Service conducted an aerial and ground-based damage survey. Investigators documented the debris field by capturing approximately 40 photographs of the affected areas. Economic losses reached an estimated $1,000,000 in 2016 USD. The parent supercell continued its activity, producing a second powerful, high-end EF3 tornado immediately after this event.
Katie-Wynnewood Tornado Track
The mapped ground track below shows the surveyed touchdown point, damage corridor, and dissipation coordinates recorded by NWS field crews. The Katie-Wynnewood tornado traveled 9 miles across Katie, Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Coordinates are derived from the official SPC historical tornado database.
How long was the KatieWynnewood tornado on the ground?
The tornado remained on the ground for a total of 21 minutes.
What was the maximum width of the KatieWynnewood tornado?
The tornado reached a maximum width of 400 yards.
Was the KatieWynnewood tornado an EF4?
Yes, the National Weather Service upgraded the tornado to an EF4 rating after initially classifying it as a high-end EF3.
What was the economic damage from the KatieWynnewood tornado?
The tornado caused an estimated $1,000,000 in economic losses.