NWS assessing Blanco tornado damage; EF-2 rating pending final confirmation

The National Weather Service says it could take several more days to complete a complex storm damage survey in southern Pittsburg County, where a large and destructive tornado moved through the Blanco area on May 19.

While the preliminary rating is EF-2, the NWS said the final classification could increase as teams continue to evaluate damage in multiple locations, including parts of western Latimer County.

No official rating or damage estimate has been finalized.

“The survey is complex and will take several more days,” the agency said in a report issued Wednesday. “Pending final decisions at these locations, the rating could increase by one.”

Related Story: WATCH: Tornado in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma caught on camera

Multiple Tornadoes, Uncertain Origin

The NWS says the main tornado may have formed in Atoka County near Highway 69, though it is also possible that it developed further east in Pittsburg County. Officials are working with meteorologists from the Weather Forecast Office in Norman to determine the exact origin.

News On 6's Cal Day was in Blanco this week to see the damage firsthand.

The agency also noted signs of a handoff process, in which one tornado dissipates and another quickly forms nearby. Additionally, at least one smaller tornado appears to have occurred north of the larger storm, several minutes after the primary tornado had already formed.

“Damage from the larger tornado was more defined approximately three miles southwest of the town of Pittsburg,” the NWS said. “From there, the tornado quickly intensified and grew to be very wide.”

Survey crews estimate the final width of the tornado may exceed a mile.

Ongoing Survey Work

Thursday will mark the third day of survey work in the area. The NWS said teams will continue to evaluate tornado tracks and damage from southern Pittsburg County into western Latimer County.

No confirmed fatalities or injuries have been reported by the NWS, though local authorities may release updated figures as recovery efforts continue.

The storm system that spawned the Blanco tornado was part of a broader outbreak of severe weather across eastern Oklahoma earlier this week.

More Stories About The May 19 Storms

1. Video shows strong winds and heavy rain sweep through the University of Tulsa
2. Collinsville damage: Sudden spin-up launches barn onto neighbor's house
3. What do I do if my property is damaged by hail in Oklahoma?
4. Oklahoma hail storms: Residents share photos of hailstones around Seminole and Inola