May 2007 Tornado Outbreak

Infobox tornado outbreak
name=May 2007 Tornado Outbreak
image location=tornadicstorms0705060102g12i01zd9.jpg


date=May 4-6, 2007
duration=56 hours, 9 minutes
fujitascale=EF5
enhanced=yes
tornadoes=123 confirmed
total damages (USD)=$268 million [ [http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms NCDC Storm Events-Select State ] ]
total fatalities=14
areas affected=Most of the Central United StatesThe May 2007 Tornado Outbreak was an extended tornado outbreak that started on May 4, 2007, affecting portions of the Central United States. The most destructive tornado in the outbreak occurred on the evening of May 4 in central Kansas, where about 95% of the city of Greensburg in Kiowa County was destroyed by an EF5 tornado. [cite news | title = At Least 10 Dead After Supercell Tornado Demolishes Kansas Town | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270153,00.html | publisher = FoxNews.com | accessdate = 2007-05-05] cite web|author =KAKE-TV|title = Greensburg Tornado Rated at EF-5 | url = http://www.kake.com/weather/headlines/7347256.html|accessdate=2007-05-06] The supercell killed at least 13 people including 11 in Greensburg and two in Pratt County by a separate tornado. [cite news|author = KAKE-TV|title = Police Officer Injured In Tornado Dies | url = http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/7389831.html|accessdate=2007-05-09] [cite news | title= Death toll rises to nine after tornado destroys Kansas town | url= http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/NEWS/70505009| publisher = The Clarion-Ledger | accessdate = 2007-05-06 ] [cite news | title= Deadly twister flattens Kansas town | url= http://www.cnn.com/2007/WEATHER/05/05/severe.weather/index.html | publisher = CNN | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] CNN, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070508/ap_on_re_us/severe_weather Storm-hit Kansas residents return home] 6:30 am EDT, May 8, 2007, retrieved 7:50 am EDT, May 8, 2007.] At least 60 people were injured in Greensburg alone. It was the strongest tornado of an outbreak which included several other tornadoes reported across Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and South Dakota that occurred on the same night. [cite web | title = SPC Storm Reports for 5/4/07 | publisher = Storm Prediction Center | date = May 4, 2007 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/070504_rpts.html | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] 25 tornadoes were confirmed that night.

The outbreak did not end there; a total of 84 tornadoes were confirmed reported on May 5 in the same area. Most were in open country but one fatality was reported in Ottawa County, Kansas near a county lake. Fourteen more tornadoes were confirmed on May 6 in the same general area before the activity subsided.

Meteorological synopsis

This severe weather outbreak can be traced back to a powerful, slow-moving low pressure area with a warm front to the north over Nebraska and Missouri. [cite web | author = US Department of Commerce|title=Daily Weather Maps, Saturday May 5, 2007|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/dailywxmap/index_20070505.html|accessdate=2007-05-14] On May 4, the low stalled over the High Plains and additional moisture coming from the Gulf of Mexico moved in behind the warm front and increased amounts of instability across much of the region, with CAPE values as high as 5,500 J/kg.cite web|author = Davies, Jon| title = CAPE/CIN (J/Kg, Saturday May 5, 2007) | url = http://members.cox.net/jondavies6/050407greensburg/050507wrfcpe00f12_anno.gif|accessdate=2007-05-14] In addition, the dry line, which marks a divided line between the dry and humid air mass, was positioned over the southern High Plains. This allowed for the initiation of scattered supercells on May 4. High wind shear also allowed for intense rotation in the atmosphere. All the ingredients were present for the developing of supercell thunderstorms producing damaging wind, large hail and tornadoes.cite web | author = Davies, Jon | title = The Greensburg Tornado Environment on 4 May 2007 | url = http://members.cox.net/jondavies6/050407greensburg/050407greensburg.htm|accessdate=2007-05-14] The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for severe weather across western Kansas and small portions of Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska for May 4, while temperatures were in the mid to high 80s°F (near 30°C). The atmosphere remained capped for much of the day, but storms began to develop in the late afternoon hours in western Oklahoma and the eastern Texas Panhandle.cite web | author = Davies, Jon | title = The Greensburg Tornado Environment on 4 May 2007 | url = http://members.cox.net/jondavies6/050407greensburg/050407greensburg.htm|accessdate=2007-05-14] The most intense supercells developed in the early evening hours across northwestern Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas. They eventually produced 25 tornadoes, including the devastating Greensburg tornado. [cite web|author= NOAA, National Weather Service | title = Tornado Watch 227 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0227.html|accessdate=2007-05-14] The supercells remained intact well into the overnight hours as the extremely unstable air mass precluded rapid dissipation expected with the loss of daytime heating which would normally be expected in the Plains.cite web | author = Davies, Jon | title = The Greensburg Tornado Environment on 4 May 2007 | url = http://members.cox.net/jondavies6/050407greensburg/050407greensburg.htm|accessdate=2007-05-14]

On May 5, the SPC issued a high risk of severe weather for Central Kansas and central Nebraska, while a slight risk for severe weather extended for areas far beyond. [cite web | author = Storm Prediction Center | title = May 5, 2007 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2007/day1otlk_20070505_1300.html | accessdate=2007-05-14] The low pressure system in place moved northward, but the extending front had barely moved. [cite web | author - US Department of Commerce | title = Daily Weather Maps, Sunday May 6, 2007 | url = http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/dailywxmap/index_20070506.html|accessdate=2007-05-14] The storms were quick to develop. Severe weather reports were already coming in by late morning, and the first tornado reports came in during the early afternoon hours.cite web | title = SPC Storm Reports for 5/5/07 | publisher = Storm Prediction Center | date = May 5, 2007 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/070505_rpts.html | accessdate = 2007-05-05] The most intense activity took place during the late afternoon and evening hours as supercells developed along a long line from South Dakota to North Texas. Over 80 tornadoes were confirmed that day, along with hail as large as softballs and straight–line winds as strong as 90 mph (145 km/h).cite web | title = SPC Storm Reports for 5/5/07 | publisher = Storm Prediction Center | date = May 5, 2007 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/070505_rpts.html | accessdate = 2007-05-05] The activity weakened in the late evening, but not before the last tornadoes were reported in Iowa in the overnight hours.

The low gradually weakened and became less conducive for severe weather development on May 6. Nonetheless, the SPC issued a moderate risk for severe storms over parts of central Kansas and northern Oklahoma as the trough remained in place. [cite web | author = Storm Prediction Center|title = May 6, 2007 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2007/day1otlk_20070506_1300.html|accessdate=2007-05-14] The activity was far less than on the two previous days, however there were still several additional tornadoes across the Plains (all of them weak, mostly EF0).cite web | title = SPC Storm Reports for 5/6/07 | publisher = Storm Prediction Center | date = May 6, 2007 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/070506_rpts.html | accessdate = 2007-05-07] The system finally left the area on May 7 and did not produce any more significant severe weather.cite web |title= SPC Storm Reports for 5/7/07|publisher = Storm Prediction Center|date = May 7, 2007 | url = http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/070507_rpts.html|accessdate=2007-05-08]

Confirmed tornadoes

Tornado Chart
Total=123
F0=62
F1=43
F2=15
F3=5
F4=0
F5=1
Enhanced=yes

The Greensburg tornado family

=Storm history and da

The storm that would affect Greensburg (located approximately convert|110|mi|km|0 west of Wichita) began forming after 5:00 pm CDT (2200 UTC) in the northeastern corner of the Texas Panhandle, and went through phases in the early evening across the Oklahoma Panhandle with a few isolated tornadoes.cite web | title = Event Record Details: (04/1721) | url= http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~662000 | author= National Climatic Data Center | work= National Weather Service | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] It slowly organized itself as it moved northeast through portions of Oklahoma, and then into Kansas.cite web|author = Davies, Jon| title = CAPE/CIN (J/Kg, Saturday May 5, 2007) | url = http://members.cox.net/jondavies6/050407greensburg/050507wrfcpe00f12_anno.gif|accessdate=2007-05-14] The first tornado warning with this cell was issued at 8:35 pm CDT (0135 UTC) for Clark County, Kansas [cite web | title = KDDC [050139] - Tornado Warning | url=http://www.weathermatrix.net/archive/tor/200705/0096.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] , and the tornado first touched down at about 9:00 pm CDT (0200 UTC). Several storm chasers captured the formation of a tornado southwest of Greensburg around 9:20 pm CDT (0220 UTC). [cite web | title = KDDC [050220] - Tornado Warning | url=http://www.weathermatrix.net/archive/tor/200705/0099.html | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ]

The tornado apparently strengthened as it neared Greensburg, and at 9:38 pm CDT (0238 UTC), storm chasers reported that it had grown to over convert|1/2|mi|km|1 in diameter.cite web | title = Barton and Ellsworth County Tornado | url= http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/scripts/viewstory.php?STORY_NUMBER=2007050509 | author= Robb Lawson | work= National Weather Service | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] Several satellite tornadoes were observed as the very large wedge approached the town of Greensburg. At 9:41 pm CDT (0241 UTC) the National Weather Service office in Dodge City issued a rare Tornado emergency for Greensburg. A tornado emergency is the highest tornado alert possible and is used only for extremely life–threatening situations when a large and likely violent tornado is on the ground and approaching a population center. [cite web | title = Aware: Climate, Water, Weather | url=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/Aware/pdfs/aware-fall07.pdf | author= Herb White | work= National Weather Service | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] The tornado plowed through Greensburg shortly after it was intercepted by storm chasers. It was an estimated convert|1.7|mi|km|1 in diameter and was later confirmed to have been an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (the highest possible rating). Based on the damage produced, winds inside the tornado were estimated to have been in excess of 205 mph (330 km/h). [cite web|author = CNN|title = Survivors sought as more storms threaten Plains |url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/WEATHER/05/06/severe.weather/index.html |accessdate=2007-05-06]

The mayor of Greensburg would later state that 95% of his community was destroyed. Many houses were flattened or even blown away. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital sustained heavy damage, and as many as 30 people may have initially been trapped inside. A motel on the west edge of town, two schools, a tractor supply company, the Greensburg City Hall and other businesses fell victim to the violent winds and were destroyed or flattened. The city's water tower was completely toppled and smashed. The visitor's center at the Big Well (which is the world's largest hand-dug well) was completely destroyed. Train cars were also reported to be overturned and hazardous materials teams were called to inspect the wreckage. A tank car was carrying about 14,000 gallons (53,000 liters) of ammonia and the substance started to leak from the tank when workers were starting to lift back the tanker. The courthouse and the grain elevator were spared the worst of the tornado's effects. Meanwhile, the Greensburg meteorite, which was feared to have been blown away, was found and recovered a few days after. [ cite news|author = KAKE-TV | title =Greensburg Meteorite Recovered |url = http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/7379181.html|accessdate=2007-05-09] The tornado continued north before dissipating, and by several accounts continued to grow as it left town. The total path length was convert|22|mi|km|0, and the width of the funnel reached convert|1.7|mi|km|1. [cite web | title = Search Resumes in Devastated Kansas Town | url=http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/kansas-tornado/20070505031309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ]

After extensive surveys in the area, the National Weather Service office in Dodge City revealed that a second large tornado later developed just a few miles east of the Greensburg wedge. The new tornado rapidly grew to about convert|2|mi|km|1 in diameter as it moved northeast. In Pratt County the tornado destroyed more homes, including one that was swept off its foundation. The tornado also affected several other communities, including Trousdale in Edwards County and Macksville in Stafford County. The same supercell spawned additional tornadoes that caused significant damage across Barton County where it affected the towns of Ellinwood and Claflin about two hours after the Greensburg tornado. Another tornado later hit the Holyrood area causing additional damage.cite web | author = NWS Dodge City | title = Greensburg Tornado Rated EF-5 (updated May 22) | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=ddc&storyid=7828&source=0 | accessdate = 2007-05-22] cite web | title = NCDC Storm Reports | url= http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms | author= National Climatic Data Center | work= National Weather Service | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ] The tornado destroyed 961 homes, caused major damage to 216 others and minor damage to 307 other houses.cite web | title = Event Record Details: (04/2003) | url= http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~661682 | author= National Climatic Data Center | work= National Weather Service | accessdate = 2008-02-29 ]

After additional surveys, NWS Dodge City had confirmed 12 tornado tracks by the Greensburg supercell in Kansas alone on May 4 including the two satellite tornadoes and an additional brief tornado east of Greensburg at 9:55 p.m. CDT at the same time the main tornado was weakening and dissipating a few minutes after at 10:05 PM CDT. The new Enhanced Fujita Scale was implemented on February 1, 2007, and the Greensburg tornado was the first tornado rated EF5 on it. Including tornadoes from the older Fujita Scale, the most recent F5 to hit the United States had been on May 3, 1999 during the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, when a tornado destroyed Bridge Creek.

This tornado event surpassed the number of fatalities registered on May 4, 2003 during the May 2003 tornado outbreak sequence when eight people were killed by three separate tornadoes that affected areas around Kansas City and points south and west of the city; the last major deadly outbreak registered in Kansas prior to the Greensburg event. [cite web | title = Tornadoes of the Past | publisher = The Tornado Project | date = 2003 | url = http://tornadoproject.com/past/pastts03.htm#top | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] It was also the deadliest day and single tornado to hit the state of Kansas since an F5 tornado (which was also the last F5 in that state before this event), hit Wichita and Andover in Sedgwick and Butler counties, killing 17 during the Andover, Kansas Tornado Outbreak on April 26, 1991. [cite web | title = Sedgwick County Tornado Details | publisher = National Climatic Data Center | Date = April 26, 1991 | url = http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~58154 | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] [cite web | title = Butler County Tornado Details | publisher = National Climatic Data Center | date = April 26, 1991 | url = http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~58161 | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] The Greensburg event was also the deadliest single tornado in the United States since a tornado hit Volusia County in central Florida on February 2, 2007 where 13 were killed in an EF3 tornado. It was also the deadliest day for tornadoes since 20 people were killed in six communities on March 1, 2007

Aftermath

. [cite web | title = Greensburg Suffers Significant Damage In Tornado | url= http://www.kake.com/breakingnews/7347256.html
accessdate = 2007-05-04 ] After the tornado, looting was reported in the community and at least seven suspects, including four soldiers that were not part of the relief effort and went to Greensburg on their own, were arrested and faced charges of burglary and theft. [ cite web | author = KAKE-TV|title = Soldiers Accused of Looting in Court |url = http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/7420641.html | accessdate=2007-05-10] [cite web|author = CNN.com | title = Looting suspects arrested in storm-ravaged Kansas town | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/05/06/tornadoes.looting.ap/|accessdate=2007-05-08] A dusk-to-dawn curfew was put in place in the community after the tornado hit. [cite news | author = Probst, Jason | title = Officials to tour area today; dusk-to-dawn curfew in place | publisher = The Hutchinson News | url = http://www.hutchnews.com/news/regional/stories/Tour050607.shtml| date = May 7, 2007]

The American Red Cross maintained a list of "Safe and Well" families at their website [http://disastersafe.redcross.org/ disastersafe.redcross.org] . [cite web | title= Red Cross Safe and Well Website | url=http://disastersafe.redcross.org/ | accessdate = 2007-05-04 ] Meanwhile, officials also set a shelter for lost and injured animals as they reported to had found 163 animals alive in Greensburg after the tornado. [ cite news | author = KAKE-TV | title = Animals Are Tornado Victims Too | url = http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/7379726.html|accessdate=2007-05-09] Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and President George W. Bush both declared Kiowa County a disaster area. [cite web| author = KAKE-TV | title = President Bush Declares Disaster in Kansas | url = http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/7359591.html|accessdate=2007-05-06]

Total damage from the outbreak was estimated at about $268 million, [ [http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms NCDC Storm Events-Select State ] ] and insured damage from the Greensburg tornado alone was estimated at $153 million. [ [http://www.kansas.com/greensburg/story/102573.html Kansas.com | 06/21/2007 | Insured losses from twister: $153 million ] ]

Nontornadic events

In addition to the tornadoes, widespread flooding occurred across central North America as a result of the same system producing continuous thunderstorms. There were two major reasons for the flooding: The storm system itself moved very slowly, having produced significant tornado outbreaks in almost the same places for three days. In addition, the storms moved along each others' paths, so one storm dropped heavy rains on the same place that the storm before it did (this is also known as "training").

Across portions of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, rainfall amounts exceeded locally convert|6|in|mm|0. [ cite web|author = NWS Omaha, Nebraska|title = 24 Hour Rainfall Reports Received the Morning of Sunday May 6th, 2007|url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/oax/070506.jpg|accessdate = 2007-05-07] In northeastern and central Kansas, rainfall amounts approached 5 – 6 inches locally (125 – 150 mm). [ cite web|author = NWS Topeka, Kansas|title = 24 hour precipitation ending around 7 AM May 6, 2007 | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/top/050607/050607_rain.jpg| accessdate=2007-05-07 ] [cite web|author = NWS Wichita, Kansas|title = Weekend of Severe Weather For Central Kansas! | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=ict&storyid=7803&source=0 | accessdate = 2007-05-07] In North Dakota [cite web|author = NWS Bismarck, North Dakota|title = Precipitation Totals - May 4-7, 2007 | url =http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=bis&storyid=7848&source=0 | accessdate=2007-05-07] , southern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan, heavy rainfalls of 1 – 3 inches (25 – 75 mm) fell from this system from May 4 to May 7. [cite web | title = Public Weather Warnings for Canada | publisher = Environment Canada | date = May 5, 2007 | url = http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/warnings_e.html | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ] Similar amounts were reported in Alberta on May 3 and May 4. [cite web | title = Special Weather Statements for Alberta | publisher = Environment Canada | date = May 5, 2007 | url = http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/SWS_bulletins_e.html?prov=ab | accessdate = 2007-05-05 ]

Some of the worst flooding affected Topeka, Kansas, where several rescues had to be made, and the Kansas City Metro Area, where several roads were closed. In neighboring Missouri, levees broke along the Missouri River which caused extensive flooding to hundreds of homes and the northwest and central part of the state. The National Guard were assisting on filling sandbags to protect homes, schools and plants across the state which experienced some of the worst flooding since the Great Flood of 1993 which affected most of the Mississippi River Valley. Torrential rains on May 10 had also caused flooding in parts of southern Missouri as well as in eastern Kansas. [ cite web | author = CNN.com | title = Missouri flooding keeps sandbaggers busy | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/WEATHER/05/11/missouri.flooding.ap/index.html | accessdate=2007-05-11] [cite web |author = NWS St. Louis| title = MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED ON THE MISSOURI RIVER | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lsx&storyid=7823&source=0|accessdate=2007-05-08] The heavy rains also affected activities surrounding the Riverfest (Wichita River Festival) which postponed some events until May 14. [cite web|author=KAKE-TV|title = Riverfest Deals With Rising Water | url = http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/7447931.html|accessdate=2007-05-11] The Arkansas River reached record levels near Haven when it crested at 13.08 feet on May 8. Some flooding into low lying areas was also observed in the Wichita Metropolitan Area. Rainfall amounts in southern and southeastern Kansas also exceeded convert|6|in|mm|0 over a two day period on May 6 and May 7. There were several reports of farmers who lost several cattle who have been toss by the high water levels. [ cite web | author = NWS Wichita|title = Record and near Record Flooding the 2nd week of May | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/scripts/viewstory.php?STORY_NUMBER=2007051119 | accessdate=2007-05-14 ]

In Aberdeen, South Dakota, convert|7.75|in|mm|0 of rain fell the evening of May 5 into the early morning hours of May 6, causing significant flooding in some areas around the city. It was also the city's new 24–hour record rainfall, breaking the old mark of convert|5.20|in|mm|0 set in June 1978. [cite web | author = NWS Aberdeen, South Dakota|title= Record Rainfall | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=abr&storyid=7816&source=0 | accessdate=2007-05-07] The highest unofficial rainfall total was reported in Epiphany, South Dakota where as much as convert|10|in|mm|0 fell during the weekend. [cite web|author = NWS Sioux Falls, South Dakota | title = Storm Total Rainfall Reports for the Weekend | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=fsd&storyid=7850&source=0|accessdate=2007-05-07] The highest official report of rain, convert|8.73|in|mm|0 at Columbia, South Dakota, set a new official 24–hour May rainfall record for the entire state of South Dakota. [cite web | last = McGahee | first = Alvin | title = Selected U.S. City and State Extremes May 2007 | publisher = NCDC | date = June 1, 2007 | url = http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2007/may/mayext2007.html | accessdate = 2008-02-05]

In southern Oklahoma City and surrounding communities, strong straightline winds caused damage to several buildings and downed trees and power lines in the early morning hours of May 7, with cleanup efforts being complicated due to flooding rains accompanying the storm. About 11,000 homes were without power during the event. [cite web | author = Newsok.com| title = Rain causes flooding; bridge collapse; power outages | url=http://www.newsok.com/article/3050360/ ] There were also reports of floods across many other areas in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry had declared a state of emergency for all 77 counties across the state due to all the severe weather including the tornadoes, the flash floods and hail. [ cite web|author = KOCO-TV|title = State Of Emergency Declared For All 77 Counties | url = http://www.koco.com/news/13279885/detail.html|accessdate=2007-05-08 ]

Snow was also reported across higher elevations in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Utah with local amounts of up to one foot (30 cm) across central Colorado. [cite web | author = NWS Denver, Colorado| title = NE Colorado Snow Event Recap May 5-7 2007 | url =http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=bou&storyid=7858&source=0|accessdate = 2007-05-07 ]

ee also

* List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
* List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
* Tornadoes of 2007
* Tornado Emergency

References

External links

* [http://www.floridalightning.com/images/Greensburg_Wedge_Tornado.jpgHigh resolution Photograph of Greensburg, KS Wedge Tornado Under The Parent Supercell At The Time It Was Damaging Greensburg.]
* [http://www.liveleak.com/group/Midwest_Tornados Videos and discussions of recent Midwest Tornado]
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/scripts/viewstory.php?STORY_NUMBER=2007050509 Preliminary synopsis of tornadoes in Barton and Rice County (from the same supercell that formed the Greensburg tornado) (courtesy of NWS Wichita, Kansas)]
* [http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/050507tornadoaerials/ Aerial photos of Greensburg, KS after the tornado]
* [http://www.kake.com/weather/gallery Additional Tornado damage and storm event photos (courtesy of KAKE-TV, Wichita)]
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=ddc&storyid=7828&source=0 NWS Dodge City, Kansas Greensburg Tornado Page]
* [http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/s2855.htm TORNADOES, HEAVY RAIN HAMMER CENTRAL PLAINS, MORE STORMS EXPECTED]
* [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=ddc&storyid=7828&source=0 Greensburg area tornadoes summary (courtesy of NWS Dodge City, Kansas - last update: May 22, 2007)]
* [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/20070505/overview.php Weather Synopsis of May 5, 2007 Outbreak in Oklahoma (NWS Norman, Oklahoma)]