The date May 3 will forever be etched in the minds of long time-residents of Tornado Alley. It has now been 20 years since 63 tornadoes touched down across Oklahoma on May 3, 1999.  

The state of Oklahoma is right in the middle of Tornado Alley, one of the most active areas for tornadoes in the entire world, so residents there are used to severe weather. 

However, several tornadoes on May 3, 1999 were especially violent. One was rated an F5 and was the strongest tornado ever measured with wind speeds just over 300 mph.

The F5 tornado tracked through a heavily populated area near Oklahoma City. That one tornado killed 36 people and injured over 500. 

A total of 40 people were killed in the outbreak with almost 700 reported injuries.

Many lessons were learned from the violent tornado outbreak that have helped keep people safe in future outbreaks.

The National Weather Service Office in Norman, Oklahoma issued the first ever Tornado Emergency that day as the devastating tornado was approaching Oklahoma City to alert residents that this was not just a typical tornado warning.  Since then, Tornado Emergencies are issued when a confirmed strong tornado is tracking through a populated area.  The National Weather Service in Raleigh issued a Tornado Emergency for Raleigh during the largest tornado outbreak in North Carolina history on April 16, 2011.

Prior to the May 3 Oklahoma outbreak, many people thought it would be safe to seek shelter under a highway overpass if caught in their car during a tornado.  Three of the tornadoes during the outbreak crossed interstates killing three people who sought shelter under an overpass.  When a tornado passes directly over an overpass, the wind of the tornado is channeled under the overpass making the wind even stronger.  Since the outbreak, everyone is strongly encouraged not to seek shelter under an overpass.  As a last resort, lying flat in a ditch and covering your head may provide more protection.  

A small and windowless interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building is typically the safest place to be  during a tornado.  During the violent tornadoes of May 3, 1999, the safest place was in an underground tornado shelter or basement