Large and visually intense tornado avoided well built structures. Farm equipment and several outbuildings were damaged. Two large steel barns were destroyed.
~7 deaths – Exceptionally large multiple-vortex wedge tornado, the largest tornado ever recorded, destroyed many structures, flipped vehicles (many of which were on Interstate 40), and downed trees and power lines. It initially moved southeast, turned east, then turned northeast, and finally turned east along Interstate 40 before lifting. Numerous people were injured in vehicles along the interstate, which was where the deaths occurred.[1] Multiple storm chasers were caught in the path of the tornado on US 81; Tim Samaras, his son Paul and his team member Carl Young were killed, the first storm chasers to be killed by a storm.[2] Many Cars, including that of Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel, were lofted off the highway. Multiple injuries reported. Exact direct death toll is undetermined at this time due to flooding at the same time plus some may have been indirect deaths.
