A PDS Tornado Watch issued for Joplin 8 years after the Deadliest Tornado In Modern History
A PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Tornado Watch has been issued for much of Northeastern Oklahoma, Southeastern Kansas, and Central and Southwestern Missouri including the cities of Tulsa and Joplin.
The Tornado Watch is without a doubt strumming up deep fears on this day as people relive the worst tornado disaster in modern history when Joplin took a direct hit by a mile wide EF-5 tornado exactly eight years ago today.
Strewn debris from the EF-5 tornado that struck the Joplin, Mo., area, shown June 14, 2011, reminds of the devastation the May 22 storm caused. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing debris removal as part of the federal tornado recovery effort. (U.S. Army Photo/John Daves)
The tornado was resonsible for an unfathonable 158 fatalities and another 1,150 injuries making it the deadliest single tornado in modern history. The last time a tornado had a deathtoll this high was 72 years ago, on April 9, 1947 in Woodward, OK when 181 lives were lost. Of couse that occurred several decades before the developement of the modern Doppler radar and more than a half century before modern communication and warning systems.
Doppler radar of Joplin Tornado minutes after cross through town. Reflectivity is on the left. Velocity shown on right.
The mile wide monster came with plenty of advance notice as it first touched down just east of the MO/KS State Line a full 20 minutes before reaching the western parts of the city. Unfortunately, thanks to a merger with other storms in the area, it rapidly strengthened after touching down and grew to nearly a mile wide as it entered the populated central part of the city of Joplin.
Areal map of Joplin showing destructive path of May 22, 2011 EF-5 tornado.
The storm remained on the ground for 38 minutes covering 22 miles and contained top winds of over 200 mph.
Lets pray we don't see another tornado like that one anytime soon.
I'll be monitoring the situation closely and will provide WxLIVE coverage thru the newly launched #WxLIVENOW YouTube channel if conditions warrant.
Otherwise Lisa and I plan on seeing you at regular time tonight on #WxLIVEat945. See you then!
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