![]() HP storms are not fun to maneuver around as you cannot see what is going on under the mesocyclone.īefore this, we headed down Bus 71 and found a gas station to stop and refuel, and those who really needed to use the facilities were allowed out as it had been a long while since we’d taken a break. This storm turned hard right along the rolling spinning outflow boundary and quickly developed supercellular features and was extremely wet. As it hit the boundary it became violently tornadic in 15 minutes! The rest is a historical section in US tornado events. A storm was developing on the dryline and started spinning before it hit the OFB. We came southeast into town and dropped south on Range line Road, (71Business) not aware of what was soon to happen to our west. What happened next occurred at a time we were not really chasing, but with our guards up at all times, as one should. This was the first storm that became tornado warned in Joplin. It pummeled us with large hail golf ball/tennis ball sized, but also crossed into the cold air and weakened. We chased a number of these cores, slowly moving east through the towns of Rosewood, Columbus, and Cherokee and into Missouri.Īs we continued into Missouri, northwest of Joplin, one storm interacted with the boundary, developed a well shaped wall cloud, and became tornado warned. We knew we had to get back south and east of the OFB or we were in for a long evening. Storms would develop on the dryline to our south and move northeast, crossing the boundary, spin, become undercut and weaken. Just too much outflow out of control, and too HPish.Īs we moved from storm to storm, we continued eastbound towards the Missouri border as outflow spewed south of us. These highly electrified cores were fun to watch as the CGs bounced around but updrafts never looked like they were ready to drop a tornado. They turned into a pile of outflow dominant cores quickly and were impossible to chase. The first storms went up near Independence, KS and were quite explosive. ![]() I was afraid of the weak upper level flow not venting precip far enough downwind to keep storms from being HP and quite messy, and in the end, this was exactly what got us in trouble. Things looked good early with ample moisture, high CAPE, and good surface winds. Our initial target was an Independence to Joplin line. ![]() We started in Wichita, KS, expecting a big day in southeastern Kansas and southwest Missouri. To be within 5 blocks of one of the most devastating tornadoes in US history and to be able to write about is not something I take lightly. Some decisions we made this day saved our lives. One engrained deep into my mind for the rest of my life. It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever had chasing. May 22nd, 2011 was a day I will never ever forget. May 22nd, 2011 Joplin, MO Devastating EF5 Silver Lining Tours Photography Tour #3.Silver Lining Tours Photography Tour #1.Interstate 44 is closed due to overturned tractor trailers. Communications are difficult with power lines and phone lines down from the storm. A first report of confirmed dead comes in, estimated at 24 people. It left an estimated 161 people dead and damaged some 8,000 structures.ħ:30 p.m. The EF-5 Joplin tornado had winds in excess of 200 mph, was nearly a mile wide, and had a track lasting six miles. Approximate initial Tornado touchdown is about half a mile southwest of JJ Highway and Newton Road (southwest of Joplin City limits).ĥ:41 p.m. The local storm report stated: “NUMEROUS REPORTS OF TORNADO ON THE GROUND WEST OF JOPLIN AND POWER FLASHES.” The NWS Springfield, Mo., Weather Forecast Office issued a tornado warning with 17 minutes of lead time for touchdown and 19 minutes lead time before the tornado entered Joplin.ĥ:34 p.m. TIMELINE (Source: National Weather Service)ĥ:11 p.m. Initial 3 minute siren alert sounded for Jasper County and Joplin.ĥ:17 p.m. ![]() It had also issued a tornado watch more than four hours in advance of the tornado touching down. The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center highlighted southwest Missouri for the potential for severe weather several days prior to Sunday's storm. "The Joplin tornado is the deadliest single tornado since modern recordkeeping began in 1950 and is ranked as the 7th deadliest in U.S. As the community marks the progress five year's later, here is a look back at how the storm played out. physically and took an unimaginable emotional toll on its people. ![]()
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