May 3, 1999 Tornado - Del City, Oklahoma
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Max and 99
N 35° 25.799 W 097° 25.434
14S E 643071 N 3921869
Monument recognizing the resilience of Oklahomans after the May 3, 1999 Tornado that ravaged the area. More than 50 tornados occurred on this day in Oklahoma, some calling it the worst natural disaster our state has seen.
Waymark Code: WM9ARF
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/23/2010
Views: 16
This Memorial Plaza and Tornado Monument is located in Del City, at the far northwest corner of Tinker Air Force Base. It is on public property, and you do not need to access any area of the base to get to the monument. But be careful about taking a wrong turn or you might end up at a checkpoint!
The closest parking is probably in the residential neighborhood next to the monument.
The May 3, 1999 Tornado will be etched in the minds of Oklahomans for a long time. The outbreak of tornados in the area affected many of us in many different ways.
I remember looking out my back window and watching this tornado pass us by. I knew exactly where it was headed (Frontier City Amusement Park, and headed towards Del City/Midwest City), and I was so scared for the people in its path.
Fortunately, Oklahoma has an amazing tornado warning system, and extremely competent weather forecasters that keep us continually updated when severe weather is imminent. We have tornado sirens that are tested every single Saturday at 12 Noon. Many Oklahomans have weather radios in their home. Still, despite a great warning system, it is really difficult to escape a tornado in your path. Many homes here do not have basements, but many homes do have tornado shelters. There are schools that are used as tornado shelters in many communities.
The May 3, 1999 monument is located in a nicely landscaped plaza with benches and flags.
Text on plaque:
2007 Centennial Memorial
In Memory of Those Lost in the May 3, 1999 Tornado
Quinton Hindman, Noah K. Fish, Jr., Herbert G.J. Self, Gustia Miller, Loretta M. Richards, Glenda Stanfield, Guadalupe Urice and Staff Sergeant James Day, USAF
Who Gave His Life in Rescue Efforts
May they rest in peace
2nd plaque:
To those who perished and those who overcame the largest outbreak of tornados in Oklahoma history that struck this Del City neighborhood taking lives and 500 homes.
Dedicated to the resilience of All Oklahomans
3rd plaque:
This Monument Was Officially Dedicated on May 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Disaster Date: 05/03/1999
Date of dedication: 05/10/2008
Memorial Sponsors: Oklahoma Centennial Project
Disaster Type: Natural
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
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