A Mid-May Miracle: How Communication and Collaboration across the Central Missouri Weather Enterprise Impacted the Outcome of the 22 May 2019 Jefferson City EF-3 Tornado

On the night of May 22 2019, a very strong tornado hit Jefferson City, MO just before midnight. The tornado was rated EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and had a 32 mile path length that stretched across two National Weather Service (NWS) county warning areas (St. Louis and Springfield, MO). It reached a maximum width of 1500 yards and peak wind speeds were estimated at 160 mph. Along the path, the tornado caused damage to more than 1000 homes and businesses in Miller and Cole Counties, while snapping and uprooting entire groves of trees. The tornado resulted in 30 injuries, but incredibly there were no fatalities.

The effectiveness of the NWS product suite, including the use of Tornado Emergency, and the proactive and creative communication from local television meteorologists and emergency management officials will be reviewed. This presentation will also highlight the relationship fostered between the NWS, local television meteorologists, and emergency management officials in advance of this tornado event. Finally, we will also detail the timeline of the issuance of products and communication leading up to the event, nowcasting and warning decisions, and collaboration between law enforcement and the NWS to survey the damage.