A tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of the 20th. Several tornadoes occurred from central Oklahoma down through south central Oklahoma near the Red River. The strongest tornado touched down near Newcastle and traveled through Moore and south Oklahoma City. This tornado caused catastrophic damage in these areas, with a maximum rating of EF-5. The tornado claimed 24 lives and caused billions of dollars in damage. In addition to the tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds cause damage in many areas.

Tornado in MCCLAIN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:56:00 to 20-MAY-13 14:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWCASTLE
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The violent Newcastle-Moore tornado was first observed developing about one-half mile south of State Highway 37 in northwest Newcastle to the east of Rockwell Avenue. EF4 damage was observed soon after the tornado crossed State Highway 37. The tornado continued to expand in size as it approached the Canadian River and moved into Cleveland County.
Of the 212 direct injuries documented with this tornado, 5 are estimated to have occurred in McClain County.

Hail in MURRAY, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 16:43:00 to 20-MAY-13 16:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURNER FALLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in CARTER, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 16:45:00 to 20-MAY-13 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENE AUTRY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roof blown off of Old Gene Autry Gym.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSTON, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 17:39:00 to 20-MAY-13 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAPANUCKA
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported branches down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRYAN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 19:00:00 to 20-MAY-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DURANT EAKER ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees and power lines reported down on the west side of Durant.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARTER, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 19:05:00 to 20-MAY-13 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONE GROVE
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet WNW of Ardmore reported a gust to 62 mph.

Hail in LOVE, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 19:24:00 to 20-MAY-13 19:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARIETTA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in MARSHALL, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 20:09:00 to 20-MAY-13 20:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODVILLE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in BRYAN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 20:58:00 to 20-MAY-13 20:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: COBB
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

At the intersection of SH-22 and Albert Pike Rd.

Hail in COMANCHE, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 21:25:00 to 20-MAY-13 21:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: GERONIMO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in STEPHENS, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 22:26:00 to 20-MAY-13 22:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNCAN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

At the Stephens Co. Fairgrounds.

Hail in GARVIN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 22:27:00 to 20-MAY-13 22:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: WYNNEWOOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Public reported dime to quarter size hail covering the ground.

Hail in STEPHENS, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 22:34:00 to 20-MAY-13 22:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: EMPIRE CITY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Reported via Kswo.

Hail in PONTOTOC, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 23:26:00 to 20-MAY-13 23:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in MCCLAIN, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 03:00:00 to 21-MAY-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PURCELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in CADDO, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:25:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: CYRIL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in GRADY, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:46:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: NINNEKAH
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in GREER, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 08:53:00 to 21-MAY-13 08:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: REED
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in GREER, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 09:00:00 to 21-MAY-13 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRINKMAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:20:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: CYRIL
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees damaged and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:26:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEMENT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Roof was blown off building near Highway 277.

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:49:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEMENT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and power lines were reported down.

Hail in KIOWA, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 09:16:00 to 21-MAY-13 09:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONE WOLF
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:17:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: CYRIL
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in GRADY, OKLAHOMA
From 21-MAY-13 04:50:00 to 21-MAY-13 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: NINNEKAH
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Tornado in STEPHENS, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:58:00 to 20-MAY-13 14:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARLOW
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A brief tornado was reported via Spotter Network near Marlow. No damage was reported and the tornado lasted a very short time.

Tornado in STEPHENS, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 14:07:00 to 20-MAY-13 14:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARLOW
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Several storm chasers and spotters observed a tornado that developed southeast of Marlow, and moved northeast to between Marlow and Bray. Minor damage to trees and power lines was reported. No injuries or fatalities occurred.

Tornado in LINCOLN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:40:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEEKER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Several reports were received of a brief tornado northeast of Meeker. No damage was reported.

Hail in GRADY, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 12:56:00 to 20-MAY-13 12:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSH SPRINGS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in STEPHENS, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:02:00 to 20-MAY-13 13:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNCAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Tornado in COAL, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 17:49:00 to 20-MAY-13 17:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEHIGH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management and spotters reported a tornado near Lehigh. Damage to trees and outbuildings occurred. Damages estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRADY, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:45:00 to 20-MAY-13 13:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRIDGE CREEK
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An area of wind damage occurred in far northwestern Grady County into northeastern McClain County before the development of the Newcastle-Moore tornado. In Grady County, the damage was confined to trees.

Hail in PONTOTOC, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 11:30:00 to 20-MAY-13 11:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Hail in GRADY, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 12:54:00 to 20-MAY-13 12:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSH SPRINGS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in CANADIAN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:27:00 to 20-MAY-13 13:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: YUKON
Magnitude: 3.25 
Reported by: Newspaper

Hail in OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:28:00 to 20-MAY-13 13:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OKC)WILL ROGERS APT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 14:06:00 to 20-MAY-13 14:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALLEY BROOK
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MCCLAIN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 13:47:00 to 20-MAY-13 13:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWCASTLE
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An area of wind damage occurred in far northeastern Grady County into northwestern McClain County before the development of the Newcastle-Moore tornado. Tree damage occurred throughout this path, and a number of homes and mobile homes received damage in McClain County.

Hail in OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:12:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: (OKC)WILL ROGERS APT
Magnitude: 2.00 
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Reported at Will Rogers World Airport.

Hail in JEFFERSON, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:15:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAURIKA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in GARVIN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:36:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITEBEAD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in JEFFERSON, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:45:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CORNISH
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Public

Hail in GARVIN, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 15:52:00 to 20-MAY-13 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRATFORD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Tornado in CLEVELAND, OKLAHOMA
From 20-MAY-13 14:04:00 to 20-MAY-13 14:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORE
Tornado F-scale: EF5
Property damage: 2.00B
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The violent Newcastle-Moore tornado moved into Cleveland County from McClain County as it moved northeast across the Canadian River near Interstate 44. The tornado then turned more east and then east-northeast after crossing Interstate 44. Violent EF4 damage was again observed as it began to move into progressively higher density residential areas approaching May Avenue.
The center of the large tornado path passed near SW 149th Street and Western Avenue. After crossing Western Avenue, numerous buildings were destroyed and horses killed at Orr Family Farm. Two storage tanks estimated to weigh approximately 10 tons were lifted from Orr Family Farm and landed about one-half mile east. Moving east, the tornado destroyed much of Briarwood Elementary School, where the NWS storm survey team initially rated the damage as EF5. However, further evaluation indicated that an EF4 rating was more appropriate at the school. Despite the destruction of this elementary school during school hours, no fatalities occurred at the school. As the tornado continued to move east and east-northeast, it moved through much more densely populated suburban neighborhoods of southwest Oklahoma City and Moore where violent destruction was widespread and a few houses were rated EF5. The width of EF4 and greater damage was up to 250 yards wide as the tornado moved through neighborhoods east of Western Avenue. The first two fatalities occurred in a house in the neighborhood just east of Briarwood Elementary, with another fatality in a house as the tornado approached Santa Fe Avenue.
After crossing Santa Fe Avenue, the tornado moved through more suburban neighborhoods and toward Plaza Towers Elementary School. Damage to the school was extensive and seven children were killed when a wall collapsed at the school. Nine other people were killed in eight different neighborhood homes within one-quarter mile of Plaza Towers Elementary, most occurring just south of the school.
The tornado turned northeast as it approached Telephone Road, made a loop near the intersection of Telephone Road and 4th Street, then moved southeast crossing the interstate. Three people were killed when a convenience store along Telephone Road was destroyed. Crossing Telephone Road, the tornado inflicted significant damage to the Moore Medical Center, a post office and numerous businesses along Telephone Road and Interstate 35. Although the tornado was more narrow after crossing Interstate 35, it continued to produce EF4 damage in neighborhoods east of the interstate as it curved east and then again east-northeast. One fatality occurred at a business just east of the interstate, and one final fatality occurred in a home between Eastern Avenue and Bryant Avenue. Consistent EF4 damage continued until the tornado passed SE 4th Street just east of Bryant Avenue. Moving east from Bryant, the tornado continued to produce EF2 damage with isolated EF4 damage noted. The density of housing also decreased east of Bryant as the tornado moved east and east-northeast before dissipating east of Air Depot Blvd. between SE 119th Street and SE 134th Street in southeast Oklahoma City.
Overall, over 300 homes experienced EF4/EF5 damage along the tornado path. Of the 212 direct injuries documented from this tornado, 207 are estimated to have occurred in Cleveland County.