NOUS44 KTSA 080218
PNSTSA
ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-081430-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
918 PM CDT Tue May 7 2024

...Preliminary Storm Survey Results for the May 6th Tornadoes...

Today, NWS Tulsa meteorologists surveyed tornado damage in Osage 
County that occurred from a supercell thunderstorm Monday evening, 
including the town of Barnsdall and the city of Bartlesville. Based 
on our survey so far and review of radar data, we believe this is 
likely one single tornado that began southeast of Hominy. The 
tornado crossed Highway 20, snapping numerous trees and breaking 
metal power poles. We were able to transect the path several times 
between Highway 20 and Barnsdall. Significant tree damage was found 
in several locations. The tornado then moved into Barnsdall, causing 
severe damage to the wax plant on the southeast side of town, and 
then severely damaged or destroyed numerous homes on the east side of
town. Several homes and a well-built, metal-framed building 
suggested estimated wind speed in the 150 to 165 mph range, and one
home suggested estimated wind speed of 165 to 175 mph, which is in 
the EF-4 category. Numerous trees were snubbed in the area of some of
the higher end damage, which was supportive of these wind speed 
estimates.

Significant tree damage continued northeast of Barnsdall, a few homes
were damaged and outbuildings were destroyed between Barnsdall and
Bartlesville. The tornado moved across the southern portion of 
Bartlesville, and then across the eastern side of town. Lots of 
trees were snapped or uprooted, and numerous homes and businesses 
were damaged in town. A squall line merged with the tornadic
supercell, and ultimately ended the tornado process on the northeast
side of Bartlesville. Radar data suggested that the merger may have
produced an additional tornado near Dewey, but no damage was found 
in that area when we investigated it today.

There are several other locations where tornadoes likely occurred
Monday evening that we plan to survey over the coming days across 
eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas, and we will do this as 
soon as possible. Additional severe weather in our area on Wednesday
will likely hamper making much progress on this, but the weather later
in the week will be favorable for conducting these damage surveys. 
Additionally, there are other areas within the Barnsdall tornado 
path that we will be evaluating, hopefully through aerial imagery, to
finalize that path as best we can.

We will send additional Public Information Statements this week with
details of our surveys.

$$

EJC/SFP/RBD