October 9, 2001
Storm Chase
Western Oklahoma
Editor: Putnam
Reiter
Forecast/Setup -
SPC had a moderate risk up for
western Oklahoma. Additionally, there was a 10% hatched area on the tornado
probability map. A round of precipitation moved into the region during the
morning hours on this day. Said area of rainfall eventually moved east by noon
with sunshine developing across the threat area. Given that the sun angle in
October is still decent, it doesn't take much to warm-up. Storms started to
develop around 14:30 CDT with a tornado watch issued by 15:00 CDT.
The Chase -
Team 1 - Rob Ferguson and Putnam
Reiter
Miles Driven - @300
Departure Time - 15:00 CDT
Return Time - 21:00 CDT
We headed west on I-40 due to a tornadic thunderstorm in
far western Oklahoma, Beckham County. Talking with Andy Wallace (KSWO-TV) we
decided to keep going west and jump on the storm just southwest of the initial
development. We reached Elk City, about as far west in Oklahoma as you can go,
around 16:20. The storm had a well defined wall cloud moving into the western
part of Elk City at this time. Since it was to our southwest, we decided to get
behind it. This caused a few moments of concern as the rotation ended up on top
of us. After getting south a little ways, we turned around and headed back into
town. The storm produced a small tornado just northeast of downtown Elk City. We
followed it for a ways northeast where it produced several small tornadoes.
Eventually the large one dropped out. This one went multiple vortex on us for a
while. By 17:30 or so, the tornado had dissipated. The timing is not all that
accurate as I was on the phone with Andy for much of the event.
By this time several additional tornadic storms had
developed in western Oklahoma. Additionally, a tornado had hit Cordell, causing
major damage. I think the count is about 150 structures affected. We went after
that storm, however turned away at Weatherford to go get damage pictures from
Cordell. The storm eventually dissipated near Hydro.
At Cordell, we shot several pictures of damage. We moved
on, as those people had more important things to deal with. We got on another
storm in Caddo County and followed it for a while. We got caught in the
wrap-around near Binger and that ended the chase! We did see several funnel
clouds with this storm, which prompted the quote of the day: "I'm not sure if it
is a tornado, but it is cone shaped and headed downward."
We made it back to Oklahoma City by 9:00pm and settled in
to watch the intense media coverage.
Lessons Learned -
- Remember to bring the video
camera, always. Yes, ours was sitting at home.
- Defensive driving is always
important, almost had a collision due to be stupid.
- Storm structure became
difficult to monitor later in the day. Not a real lessons learned, but an
interesting difference from other chases.
Multimedia -
- Pictures of the tornado
northeast of Elk City:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5.
- Pictures of damage
in the City of Cordell:
1,
2,
3,
4.
- Picture of a storm
to our southeast later in the day:
1.
Encounters -
Engaged Storm: Yes,
two of them.
Storm 1: At Elk City
Tornado: Yes, just east of Elk City.
Funnel: Yes.
Hail (larger than 0.75 inches): No
Wall Cloud: Yes.
Wind (above 57.4mph): No
Storm 2: At Binger
Tornado: No, but one was
reported and we did see a cone shaped funnel.
Funnel: Yes
Hail (larger than 0.75 inches): Yes - 1.00 inch, in Binger.
Wall Cloud: No - didn't see it.
Wind (above 57.4mph): No
