On May 20, 2013, an EF5 deadly Tornado struck Oklahoma County, especially the town of Moore and the adjacent areas. During the period, the winds were estimated to be at a peak of 340 kilometers per hour. The disaster was part of the larger weather system that led to a couple of other tornadoes across the great plain. The calamity touched the ground around 2:56 PM at the western side of Newcastle and lasted approximately 39 minutes. It stretched for about 27 kilometers and a width of 2.1 kilometers bypassing heavily populated area of Moore.
Damages caused by the Moore Tornado
Despite being less deadly than the 1999 tornado that took place in the same place, the 2013 tornado had its impact and destroyed a number of structures. Having bypassed through a highly populated area of Moore and other Oklahoma suburbs, the calamity flattened a number of houses, businesses, Elementary schools and a major hospital in the area. The pinch of the tornado was felt even two months later as recovery efforts were being escalated. At Briarwood Elementary school on the eastern side, the buildings were destroyed, but everyone made it out alive. At Plaza Towers Elementary school, CNN reported that 75 students and staff were hunkered down by the storm. While the building was reduced to few walls, few students and staff lost their lives. Moore Medical center was also affected with its officials calling the situation devastating. Several patients in the hospital and staff were injured but rushed to three of other area hospitals. As the tornado maintained its intensity, it struck the celestial Acres horse training ground where more than one hundred horses were reported dead. In the Orr family farm, more destruction was caused and a more than 10-ton propane tank thrown for more than half a mile by the intensive tornado. During the tornado that took less than one hour, 377 people were injured, and 24 reported dead. An estimate of $3 billion loss was recorded.
Recovery process for Oklahoma and Moore
On 20th May, Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Governor was forced to declare a state of emergency and held a press conference on the 21st at noon. An urban rescue team was ordered to the disaster hit areas by the Federal emergency department. An incident command personnel was also appointed to organize and facilitate the rescue process. In a press release, Fallin claimed to have talked to Barack Obama, who promised his assistance and prayers. Obama declared a state of serious disaster in Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to those affected. On May 26, Obama visited the disaster hit areas. To help the hit areas recover, United Nations gave their assistance while the Canadian Red Cross started accepting donations of supplies and money to facilitate the recovery process. Matt Kemp, Hobby Lobby, Direct Relief International, Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Dodgers and Koch industries are among those who pledged donations to the recovery efforts. A fundraising function was then held on 29th May 2013 at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, and a total of $6 million was raised towards the recovery of those affected. One year on, some victims are still recovering from what seem to have taken place yesterday.
