Calif Bear Dispatch
Capitola Barn Bureau
18 May 2025
To. Media TBA
Fm. Hayes, Field Correspondent
Subj. --Severe Atmospheric Turbulence--SitRep 05.18.25.001
Encl. (1) submitted herewith.
1. Agencies and Bureaus Reporting on May 18, 2025 Tornado Activity
a. Key Federal and Meteorological Agencies:
(1) National Weather Service (NWS): The NWS, including its Storm Prediction Center (SPC), provided real-time risk assessments, severe thunderstorm outlooks, and tornado warnings throughout May 18, 2025. The SPC issued a "moderate risk" alert for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the central and southern Plains, specifically highlighting Kansas and Oklahoma as areas of highest tornado threat.
(2) NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): NOAA’s Severe Storms Laboratory contributed expert analysis on the atmospheric setup, noting that the environment in the southern Plains was unusually volatile and reminiscent of classic tornado outbreak years.
2. Major Media Outlets Covering the Event:
a. The New York Times: Reported on multiple tornadoes touching down in Colorado and Kansas, detailing damage and the ongoing severe weather threat across the Plains and Midwest.
b. ABC World News Tonight: Provided national coverage of the tornado outbreak, including casualty reports and live updates on storm impacts across the South and Midwest.
c. CBS News Colorado: Shared images and updates from the storm outbreak in Colorado, documenting tornado damage and emergency response efforts.
3. Local and Regional Broadcasts:
a. KOCO 5 News (Oklahoma): Offered live coverage and storm tracking as severe storms and tornadoes moved across Oklahoma, with meteorologists providing updates on tornado warnings and hail threats.
b. News 9 Oklahoma: Delivered live weather team updates, tracking severe storms and tornadoes as they developed across the region on May 18, 2025.
c. FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth: Broadcast live tornado warnings and severe weather updates for North Texas, part of the broader outbreak area.
4. Specialized Severe Weather Platforms:
a. Severe Weather Outlook (SWO): Provided detailed risk percentages for tornadoes, hail, and wind, confirming the presence of several strong to intense tornadoes and ongoing severe thunderstorm hazards through the evening of May 18.
b. Summary of Reporting and Coverage
Federal agencies like the NWS/SPC and NOAA led the official forecasting, warnings, and risk communications.
National media (NYT, ABC, CBS) reported on the outbreak’s impacts, casualties, and ongoing threats.
c. Local stations in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado delivered live, real-time updates and warnings to affected communities.
Specialized weather sites tracked storm evolution and provided technical outlooks for severe weather enthusiasts and emergency planners.
This coordinated reporting ensured that both the public and emergency responders were kept informed as the tornado outbreak unfolded across multiple states on May 18, 2025.
PART II. NARRATIVE SUMMARY
1. Realtime Summary: Ongoing Tornado Activity – Midwest, Night of May 18, 2025
a. Current Situation
(1) Multiple tornadoes have been reported this afternoon and evening, especially in the central and southern Plains, with the highest risk corridor stretching from central and southern Kansas into Oklahoma.
(2) Several isolated supercells are ongoing from Sheridan County, Kansas, to Woods County, Oklahoma, with a continued risk for tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail.
b. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Moderate Risk (level 4 out of 5) for severe weather, including the potential for intense and long-track tornadoes, particularly in southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. (1) Surrounding this is an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) extending from western Nebraska through Kansas, Oklahoma, and into North Texas. (2) Earlier today, tornadoes were confirmed near Denver, Colorado, with funnel clouds visible from Denver International Airport, causing brief airport disruptions.
(3) Severe thunderstorms are expected to persist through the night, with the threat shifting eastward into Missouri and Arkansas by Monday.
2. Key Areas at Risk Tonight
a. Highest Tornado Threat:
(1) Central and southern Kansas, northwest Oklahoma
Additional Risk Zones: Eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, parts of North Texas, Missouri, northwest Arkansas
PART III. SEQUENTIAL LISTING
1. Tornadoes Reported Tonight and Recent Outbreaks
a. Kentucky: Communities such as London and Somerset experienced extensive destruction. At least 19–20 fatalities have been reported. Tornadoes in this region have caused widespread damage to homes and businesses.
Missouri (including St. Louis and Sikeston):
b. St. Louis: A radar-confirmed tornado (preliminarily rated EF3, with wind speeds around 150 mph) caused severe damage, including collapsed buildings and widespread power outages. At least five fatalities and numerous injuries have been confirmed.
c. Sikeston and Sandywoods Township: An EF3 tornado destroyed homes and mobile homes, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Damage ranged from EF0 to high-end EF3 along the tornado's path.
PART IV. CIVIL AFFAIRS
1. Government and Federal Response
a. Federal authorities, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have been in direct contact with state leaders, offering resources and support.
b. Noem emphasized the importance of local leadership in emergency management but reinforced that federal assistance would be immediate and robust.
2. Social Media and Public Sentiment
a. On social media, the storms have sparked a mix of urgent warnings, real-time updates, and calls for community support.
b. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have been used by local officials, meteorologists, and storm chasers to share live footage, damage reports, and safety information.
c. The hashtag #MidwestTornado trended as residents posted images of destruction and coordinated relief efforts.
Storm chaser communities and weather enthusiasts have been particularly active, sharing radar images, tornado warnings, and safety tips.
d. YouTube channels such as Convective Chronicles provided live updates and educational content, emphasizing the seriousness of the outbreak and encouraging viewers in the affected areas to stay alert and follow National Weather Service advisories.
3. Emotional Tone and Calls for Unity
a. The overall tone from both civil authorities and the public has been one of shock, grief, and resilience.
b. Local leaders, such as London Mayor Randall Weddle, called for unity and prayers for the affected communities, stating, "Lives have been changed forever here tonight. This is a time we come together".
c. Residents and officials alike have highlighted the importance of mutual support as recovery begins.
PART V. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Types of Supercells
a. There are three main types of supercell thunderstorms, each with distinct characteristics and associated severe weather risks:
(1) Low Precipitation (LP) Supercells: These form in drier environments, typically have higher cloud bases, and produce less rainfall. They can generate large hail and occasionally weak tornadoes, but tornadoes are generally less frequent and less intense compared to other supercell types.
(2) Classic Supercells: These are the most recognizable, often displaying a well-defined hook echo on radar. They can produce large hail, strong straight-line winds, and significant tornadoes. Classic supercells are most common in the Great Plains.
(3) High Precipitation (HP) Supercells: These occur in moist environments and are characterized by heavy rainfall that can obscure tornadoes, making them particularly dangerous. HP supercells are often associated with rain-wrapped tornadoes, flash flooding, and damaging winds.
2. Synthetic intelligence inquiries. Perplexity AI
3. Image. https://map.blitzortung.org/#4.53/39.44/-90.81
4. Report prepared by Hayes, Capitola River's End
End of Report
UNCLASSIFIED
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