EF-5 Tornado Devastates Newcastle, Oklahoma

24 Dead, Billions in Damage

Posted May 21, 2013, 22:59 EDT

A violent EF-5 tornado tore through Newcastle, Oklahoma, on Monday afternoon, killing at least 24 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. The storm struck near Newcastle at 2:56 p.m. CDT, just 16 minutes after the first warnings were issued. The tornado then tracked northeast for nearly 10 miles, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Emergency crews are still searching for survivors and assessing the damage, but it is clear that Newcastle has been devastated. The tornado destroyed homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leaving many residents homeless and without power. The storm also caused significant damage to the city's schools and hospital.

The National Weather Service has rated the Newcastle tornado an EF-5, the highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. This means that the tornado had winds of at least 200 mph and was capable of causing catastrophic damage.

The Newcastle tornado is the deadliest tornado to hit Oklahoma since 1999, when an EF-5 tornado killed 36 people in Moore. The storm is also the first EF-5 tornado to hit the state since 2007.

The Oklahoma City area has been hit by a number of tornadoes in recent years, including a deadly EF-5 tornado that struck Moore in 2013. The Newcastle tornado is a reminder of the deadly power of tornadoes and the importance of being prepared for severe weather.