Moore, Oklahoma Tornadoes

Moore's Tornado History

The Individual Events

Bridge Creek-Moore 1999 (F5)

The most famous - produced the 301 mph wind measurement. 36 killed in Bridge Creek and southern Moore. Full story →

Moore 2003 (F4)

Struck south Moore on May 8, 2003. No deaths but significant damage to the same neighborhoods hit in 1999.

Moore 2010 (EF4)

May 10, 2010 - moved through north Moore. 1 killed, extensive damage.

Moore 2013 (EF5)

The deadliest modern Moore event. 24 killed including 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary. Full story →

Moore 2015 (EF1)

March 25, 2015 - EF1 through Moore. No deaths, moderate damage.

Why Moore?

Meteorologists have investigated why Moore keeps getting hit:

1. Statistical Explanation (Primary)

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.

2. Urban Heat Island (Minor)

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.

3. Topography

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.

4. Coincidence

Five significant events in 16 years is statistically unusual but not statistically impossible. Random variation could explain most of the Moore concentration.

Moore's Response

The city has become one of the most tornado-prepared communities in America:

• Extensive outdoor siren network
• State-of-the-art community shelters
• Public school safe rooms expanded after 2013
• Residential storm shelter installations at high rate
• Strong civic tornado awareness culture

Plaza Towers Elementary

The May 20, 2013 EF5 destroyed Plaza Towers Elementary School. Seven children died in a hallway collapse. The event led to:

• Oklahoma safe room legislation for schools
• Sooner Safe rebate program expansion
• Significantly better school shelter facilities across Oklahoma

Full school safety guide →

Population and Rebuilding

Despite being struck five times, Moore's population has grown from ~40,000 in 1999 to ~60,000 today. The city has:

• Consistently rebuilt affected neighborhoods
• Adopted improved building standards after each event
• Attracted new residents despite the tornado risk
• Become a case study in disaster resilience

Notable Landmarks

• Plaza Towers Elementary - destroyed 2013, rebuilt with FEMA-rated safe rooms
• Warren Theater - major landmark on I-35, hit multiple times
• Little Sooner Elementary - hit in 1999, rebuilt
• Briarwood Elementary - destroyed 2013, no deaths (rebuilt)

Living in Moore

Residents of Moore describe:

• Family tornado plans practiced regularly
• Storm shelters in most homes
• Community shelter access
• Deep tornado awareness passed to children
• Acceptance of tornado risk as a fact of Oklahoma life