The city of Moore, Oklahoma - a suburb of Oklahoma City with ~60,000 residents - has been struck by five significant tornadoes since 1999: an F5, an F4, an EF4, another EF5, and multiple weaker events. This concentration is extraordinary and has been extensively studied by meteorologists.
The most famous - produced the 301 mph wind measurement. 36 killed in Bridge Creek and southern Moore. Full story →
Struck south Moore on May 8, 2003. No deaths but significant damage to the same neighborhoods hit in 1999.
May 10, 2010 - moved through north Moore. 1 killed, extensive damage.
The deadliest modern Moore event. 24 killed including 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary. Full story →
March 25, 2015 - EF1 through Moore. No deaths, moderate damage.
Meteorologists have investigated why Moore keeps getting hit:
Central Oklahoma has the highest concentration of significant tornadoes in the US. Any city in this corridor is at elevated risk. Moore's repeated hits reflect the extreme baseline tornado activity of the region, not something specific to Moore.
Some researchers proposed that the Oklahoma City metro's urban heat island contributes energy to storms crossing the area. Most modern analyses find this effect small and probably not significant for supercell tornadoes.
Moore sits at the confluence of several supercell-favorable terrain features - the Cross Timbers to the east and the flat plains to the west. This concentrates storm paths through the area.
Five significant events in 16 years is statistically unusual but not statistically impossible. Random variation could explain most of the Moore concentration.
The city has become one of the most tornado-prepared communities in America:
The May 20, 2013 EF5 destroyed Plaza Towers Elementary School. Seven children died in a hallway collapse. The event led to:
Despite being struck five times, Moore's population has grown from ~40,000 in 1999 to ~60,000 today. The city has:
Residents of Moore describe: