Two "particularly dangerous situation" tornado watches were issued that day covering the majority of Oklahoma and portions of Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.

Due to the fast movement of the storms, the National Weather Service had, at a couple of points during the outbreak, issued polygonal severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings encompassing several counties, including one tornado warning that included the entire Oklahoma City metropolitan area and neighboring suburbs in Grady, Canadian and Cleveland counties.

[3] The surface front associated with the storm system that resulted in the May 10th outbreak stalled across the Southern Plains, and a series of smaller disturbances contributed to additional severe weather on May 12 and 13.

At 5:20 p.m. CDT (2220 UTC), a tornado touched down in the southern part of Moore, Oklahoma in Cleveland County near the interchange of Interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road (exit 114) and quickly turned to the east-northeast.

Damage increased substantially when it reached near the intersection of SE 89th Street and Hiawassee Road as it turned north-northeast through the semi-rural areas of eastern Oklahoma County.

Two people were killed by the tornado and 49 others were injured, including many motorists in afternoon rush hour traffic on I-40 who had their cars thrown.

[16] Another intense tornado developed in the southern part of Norman in Cleveland County, very close to the National Weather Center at 5:32 p.m. CDT (2232 UTC), and initially precipitated EF1 damage to some homes and businesses, breaking windows and doors, partially stripping some roofs, and destroying well-built wood fences.

[17] The tornado then hit Little Axe Public Schools, causing significant damage to the property, with concrete pillars and metal bleachers thrown considerable distances.

A large grocery store near Little Axe was severely damaged, its roof completely collapsed, and only a few sections of its walls remained standing.

The tornado weakened after crossing the county line and lifted between Pink and Tecumseh just before 6:00 pm CDT after being on the ground for about 22 miles (35 km).