The previous record was a 2.5-mile tornado that hit Hallam, Nebraska.
Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek reviewed data of the 1974 Xenia tornado. He said it was comparable in strength to the recent EF-5’s, but said we did not have the sophisticated engineering studies on damage assessment that we have now.
Wirdzek said common EF-5 damage that we would expect to see today did occur in Xenia in 1974. Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek explained some similarities and differences between the 1974 Xenia tornado and the El Reno EF-5 tornado:
Similarities:
- EF-5 damage area — Despite a larger width, the concentration of highest wind speeds within the El Reno tornado is likely similar to the concentration of highest wind speeds within the Xenia tornado. The Xenia tornado did not have outer layers of Ef-2, EF-1, EF-0 damage like the El Reno one had.
- Both were "multi-vortex". Essentially smaller tornadoes embedded within the larger circulation. These "vortices" are usually where the highest wind speeds occur.
Differences:
- Size — The Xenia tornado was a little more than a half mile wide when it went through Xenia, compared to the 2.6 mile width of El Reno. The Xenia tornado did not have a broader circulation of weaker tornado speed winds around it.
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