Tulsa-Area Tornadoes Rated At EF-2

The National Weather Service rated the two tornadoes that blew across north Tulsa, Owasso, Claremore and Verdigris on Wednesday as EF-2s. 

The NWS surveyed the damage Thursday and determined the first tornado was on the ground for 42 minutes, touching down at 7:13 p.m. and traveling 20 miles before dissipating at 7:55 p.m.

The tornado developed about 2.5 miles southwest of Turley, damaging structures and uprooting along the way. It continued east across north Tulsa and over Highway 75 snapping power poles there.  

3/31/2016: Related Story: Tornado Damage Extensive In North Tulsa Neighborhoods

Just north of Tulsa International Airport in Mohawk Park, the tornado damaged several structures as it headed almost due east. The tornado then crossed Highway 169 south of the Bird Creek Bridges before moving into Rogers County.

3/30/2016: Related Story: VIDEO: Tornado Touches Down In Owasso

Winds in the tornado reached 110 to 120 mph and it left a footprint 1,000 yards wide before it dissipated north of Verdigris. 

Tulsa Emergency Management has done a preliminary assessment ans says the storm impacted 390 structures. That number includes residences, businesses and other buildings. Of that number, 191 received minor damage. 54 received major damage. five were destroyed.

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The National Weather Service says the supercell which spawned the first tornado redeveloped southwest of Claremore leading to the development of a second tornado at about 8 p.m. 

Officials say the second tornado was on the ground for 13 minutes with winds of 120 to 130 mph. It also uprooted trees and damaged homes.

The NWS says this twister was 550 yards wide and dissipated east of Claremore after it turned sharply to the northeast near Will Rogers Downs.

The Enhanced Fujita scale has six categories of tornadoes:

EF-0: 65-85 mph winds
EF-1: 86-110 mph winds
EF-2: 111-135 mph winds
EF-3: 136-165 mph winds
EF-4: 166-200 mph winds
EF-5: >200 mph winds