Remembering May 3, 1999 tornadoes in Oklahoma
I heard the F5 tornado on May 3, 1999.
Yes, it really did sounds like a freight train. I’ve been lucky in my life not to have experienced many negative encounters with danger. That day was a close call. The possibility of death actually crossed my mind as I heard the ‘freight train’ loud and clear before hearing the carport roof rip off the house I was living in. I thought my pickup truck was in the living room – that’s what I was certain I had heard.
Alas, the damage wasn’t that bad, and devastation was about four blocks north of my location in Moore. I survived, and helped my friend repair his fence and carport in the following days. I ended up with an interesting story to tell when May 3, 1999 comes up for discussion.
But in the grand scheme of things, I was very lucky. Sometimes, I’m ashamed to tell my story of that day, when so many other stories need to be heard. Forty-four people lost their lives. And hundreds more were affected for the rest of their lives. Their stories are compelling, gripping — and way more real.
We tell lots of those stories with our special online presentation on the May 3, 1999 tornadoes.
- We tell the story of a lot of the survivors and how they’ve recovered over the last 10 years.
- We have dozens of awesome videos, letting people tell their own stories. And if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen the video of the Grady County police officer rescuing the muddy baby – you must go and see it now.
- We have amazing photo galleries from that day and the days just after.
- We have a very nice interactive map, showing then-and-now photos along the path of the destruction.
- We remember all of the people who died with profiles of life.
- We worked hard to present as much information as we could about the day. Anyone who was in Oklahoma at the time has a story to tell, whether they heard the freight train or not.
Remember your story while learning about all the other stories.
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Comments
i’ve never really been in a tornado. There has been times when we have had watches or warnings but one never touched down..
Myself would love to see on in person, I know that might sound a little wacko but i’m facinated about how their made and how they move. But I also think if there will ever be one here that i’d freak out since i’m not so experienced and wouldnt know what to do.
But your story is incredible especially for some big tornado..
With the recent tornados and the missing little boy Ryan Hammil, I recalled the missing baby girl that was found after being blown away in the May 3, 1999, tornado. I was discussing this at work, and none of us could quite recall exactly what happened. How long was she missing and where was she found (someone thought she was in a tree)? It broke my heart then to hear she was missing and it breaks my heart now to see that Ryan is missing. Please, if anyone remembers this story or has a link to it, let me know.
I was born may 19 1999.