Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging gusts are possible across portions of the central Appalachians into the Northeast. From the northern Texas through the Mississippi Gulf Coast, heavy to excessive rain from thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding this weekend. Above average temperatures are expected in the interior Pacific Northwest through Labor Day. Read More >
Note: This paper was originally written in 1994 as NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-160. This version was last updated in August 2024 to add 3 tornadoes that occurred on April 26, 2024, 1 tornado that occurred on April 27, 2024, and 2 tornadoes that occurred on May 6, 2024, and 2 tornadoes that occurred on May 19, 2024.
Oklahoma City (OKC), by virtue of its large areal extent and location near the heart of "tornado alley," has earned a reputation over the years as one of the more tornado-prone cities in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, news and magazine articles sometimes quoted the number of times OKC has been struck by tornadoes; that number typically was in the 30s or lower 40s, depending on the year of publication. The source of the number most likely was a local listing, kept on station at the National Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO OKC). That list included 43 tornadoes as of 1978. Sometime later, record keeping ceased for some reason and the existing list was relegated to a binder that was lost among the growing masses of other records that accumulated at the office.
In 1991, a project was initiated to revise the list by adding recent tornadoes (since 1978), validating existing entries, and searching for any others that might have been overlooked. This turned out to be a formidable task, for several reasons. One was the lack of reliable sources for events that occurred before 1950. The only readily- available data source prior to 1950, other than the local records on station at WSFO OKC, was Grazulis (1990). The compilation by Grazulis includes all tornadoes of F2 intensity or greater, and all killer tornadoes, from 1880 through 1989. Thus there are no records on weak tornadoes prior to 1950 (unless they happened to make it into the WSFO listing), and so the true number of tornadoes probably is much higher than the total arrived at herein. After 1950, records were cross-checked using Storm Data and the severe weather database compiled at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
A second obstacle arose in determining exactly where the OKC city limits are - or were. OKC covers a large area today, but the city limits have changed over the years such that some areas that are now part of OKC were not always within the city limits. Peripheral townships have emerged as well over the years, some of which are now wholly surrounded by OKC city land. In order to establish a consistent area, it was decided to include the present OKC limits and all other surrounding cities and towns that are contained largely or wholly within those limits. The resulting area (Figure 1, hereafter called the "immediate OKC area") includes roughly 600 square miles. All recorded tornado events occurring wholly or partly within this area are included in the list. In addition to OKC, the following jurisdictions are included: Bethany, Choctaw, Crutcho, Del City, Forest Park, Jones, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Nichols Hills, Nicoma Park, Valley Brook, the Village, Warr Acres, Witcher, and Yukon (Figure 1). The cities of Edmond, El Reno, and Norman are not included, which means that tornadoes striking within their city limits are not listed unless they also affected the immediate OKC area.
Each of the 190 tornado listings (see the OKC Tornado Table Tab) contains the date and time of initial touchdown (note that all times are CST) or a total time range (if available), maximum tornado path width and length, maximum F Scale or EF Scale rating (see the Appendix Tab for descriptions of the F Scale and EF Scale), number of people killed and injured (from the entire event), counties included in the path, and a brief description of the path. A narrative describing what is known about the event follows the other data. A dollar estimate of damage (if available and not adjusted for inflation) and the data sources used for each tornado entry are included at the end of each narrative.
Many of the events were found in more than one data source. In general the multiple sources were in good agreement. However, there were occasional differences, especially with F-scale ratings. The extensive research conducted by Grazulis (1990) suggests his ratings to be the most reliable, and they have been used when the ratings differed among the available sources. Since Grazulis lists only events of F2 intensity or greater, any event not found in his listing has been given a rating of either F0 or F1. Events listed as F2 in the SPC database, but not appearing in Grazulis 1990, are listed here as F1. Notes are included in the narrative of an event if differences were found in the F-scale ratings among the available sources. Weak events (F0 and F1) before 1950 had no assigned F scale in any of the available sources, and thus have been assigned an estimated rating based on the available data.
May is the peak month for all tornadoes, followed closely by April and June (Figure 2). About two thirds of all tornadoes in OKC have struck during those three months. Strong and violent tornadoes tend to occur slightly earlier, with April the peak month. Note that 18 of the 27 April tornadoes were F2 or greater, and that 5 of the 12 F4/F5 tornadoes on record occurred in April. However, since 1999, 5 of the violent tornadoes have occurred during the month of May. Frequencies level off during the summer and autumn before dwindling during the winter. (December and January are the only two months in which the immediate OKC area has not been struck.)
Tornadoes striking OKC have formed most frequently between mid-afternoon and early evening (2 to 7PM CST, or 3 to 8 PM CDT; see Figure 3). The period of peak activity also appears in the distribution of strong (F2/F3) and violent (F4/F5) tornadoes, and the peak of F2 or greater tornadoes appears to occur as a broad peak centered around 4 PM CST/5 PM CDT. Other notable findings include a general lack of early morning events (only one between 5 and 7 AM CST), a prevalence of weak events during the late morning and midday hours (with one notable exception), and a rapid increase in frequency during the early afternoon (1 to 2 PM CST, or 2 to 3 PM CDT).
Note: The time distribution in Figure 3 is based on tornado start time, which may be up to an hour or so earlier than the actual "strike time" in OKC in the case of long-track, long-lived tornadoes. For example, the F5 tornado of 3 May 1999 began around 6:26 PM CDT (5:26 PM CST), but entered the OKC city limits around 7:12 PM CDT, and lifted in Midwest City around 7:48 PM CDT. Since such events constitute only a small fraction of the total, the difference is not considered to be significant.
Tornado distribution by decade (Figure 4) is largely a reflection of the data sources used. The relatively small number of tornadoes through the 1930s is dominated by strong and violent events (F2 or greater), while the increase in frequency in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s is due mainly to a larger number of weak (F0 and F1) events. The frequency of weak events almost certainly has been more constant than the data indicate, but most of the weak events before 1950 probably were not documented.
The decrease in frequency from the 1960s/70s through the 1980s/90s may be due to changes in quality control of severe weather reports. (Note: Eleven of the 15 tornadoes of the 1990s occurred on only 3 dates: 13 June 1998, 4 October 1998, and 3 May 1999.) More attention was placed on downbursts (Fujita 1985), resulting in closer inspection of wind damage and an increasing number of events being classified as straight-line (downburst) winds instead of tornadoes. If this is the case, then some of the reported tornadoes in earlier years may actually have been downbursts, and the decrease in frequency in the 1980s may actually reflect an adjustment toward more representative numbers (i.e. the totals from the 1960s and 70s may be too high).
Figure 5 shows the approximate locations and tracks of the tornadoes listed. Exact tracks are difficult to plot in many cases, especially the early ones, since the available data do not provide enough detail. (Also, many of the referenced landmarks no longer exist). Tracks of tornadoes prior to about 1970 are drawn subjectively from the information available, and may be accurate only within a few miles. This level of accuracy is still enough to reveal a slightly higher concentration of events on the south side of OKC. This trend is especially evident in F2/F3 tornadoes (shown in blue). Although several tornado "corridors" are suggested, it is likely that these distributions are no more than statistical fluctuations. Therefore, past tornado frequencies in a given location do not imply similar frequencies in the future.
Most of the tornadoes moved northeast, while a few moved east or east-southeast. Only one long-track event showed no eastward component of motion; it traveled north to north-northwest through the center of Oklahoma County and the eastern parts of OKC. Speeds, based on available reports, generally ranged from 15 to 40 mph. However, several events (especially weaker ones) displayed slow and erratic movement, and a few were nearly stationary during their short durations.
Some other interesting facts about OKC tornadoes:
Sources listed are:
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 03/22/1893 | 2100 | 1 | 50 | F2 | 0 | 4 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
This tornado moved NE, passing a few blocks W of the center of OKC, swinging side-to-side and attended by a "sullen grinding noise." It destroyed 14 buildings, and injured one person seriously. There was minor damage at the Weather Bureau office. Damage estimate: $15,000 Data sources: G,L |
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2 | 04/25/1893 | 1730 | (17) | F2 | 0 | 0 | McClain/ Cleveland | Just north of Goldsby - South part of Norman - 3.5 E "Case" (~15 E Moore) | |
Moved ENE from north of Goldsby across the Canadian River, destroying 0 homes in the south part of Norman. The track likely extended to about 3.5 miles east of Case (Case was located near what is now SE 119th Street and Henney Road in southeast Oklahoma City.) Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
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3 | 04/25/1893 | 1830 | 15 | 800 | F4 | 31 | 100 | McClain/ Cleveland | NW of Necastle - SW of Moore - near "Case" (12 E Moore) |
Moved NNE from NW of Newcastle into Cleveland County between Moore and Norman, and continued east-northeast into what now is part of southeast Oklahoma City. This massive tornado, reportedly over a mile and a quarter wide at one point, swept away at least 30 homes. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
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4 | 04/08/1896 | 1500 | 12 | 100 | F3 | 0 | 3 | Oklahoma | 4 NW "Linden" (7 S Newalla) |
Three homes were destroyed and three others were damaged as a tornad passed 4 miles west of Linden. One report stated "It took everything of one house except the foundation." The historic Linden town site is near present-day SE 164th Street and Harrah-Newalla Road. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G,L |
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5 | 05/12/1896 | 1600 | short | narrow | (F0) | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (75th and Meridian) |
A "twisting serpent-like cloud detached itself from the southern bank (of clouds)" and touched down briefly without significant damage about 5 miles NW of the center of OKC. This minimal event preceded the more significant tornado below. (Note: Local records list this event on 15 May 1896.) Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G,L |
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6 | 05/12/1896 | 1630 | 5 | 30 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 3 NW Britton - 2 S Britton - near OKC |
Moved slowly E from near 75th and Meridian (5 miles NW of the center of OKC) and passed 2 miles south of Britton. The tornado hit four farms, destroying one barn, killing some poultry, and tearing the kitchen off a farm house. A photograph of this tornado became the first to be published as an actual tornado photograph. Damage estimate: $500 Data sources: G,L |
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7 | 05/18/1903 | 1730 | 45 | 200 | F3 | 0 | 10 | Grady/ Canadian/ Oklahoma/ Logan | Just SE Union City - 3 miles W Yukon - far west OKC - west edge of Guthrie - NE of Guthrie |
Moved NE from just SE of Union City, passing about 3 miles W of Yukon and clipping the extreme W parts of OKC. Damage path, possibly due to a family of tornadoes, continued NE to the W edge of Guthrie and ended NE of Guthrie. At least 12 homes were damaged in rural areas. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
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8 | 05/23/1903 | 1900 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Crutcho | ||
Barns were destroyed in Crutcho (in the NW part of Midwest City). Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
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9 | 06/02/1904 | 1730 | 440 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Near Witcher (12 NE OKC) | |
Homes and businesses were unroofed and torn apart at Witcher (near the present-day Turner Turnpike gate). Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
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10 | 05/16/1910 | Unkn | F2 | 1 | 1 | Cleveland | 15 NE Norman (SE part of OKC) | ||
Four homes were "wrecked" in Cleveland County 15 miles NE of Norman (SE part of OKC). Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 04/20/1912 | 1545 | 400 | F4 | 1 | 1 | Canadian/ Oklahoma/ Logan | 3 W of Yukon - NW parts of OKC - 3 E Edmond | |
Moved NE from 3 miles W of Yukon to 4 miles E of Edmond, crossing NW parts of OKC. At least 2 farm houses were leveled. A school 2 miles N of Yukon also was leveled 15 minutes after the students had left. The funnel was seen as a "huge elephant's trunk" as it moved 15 miles NW of downtown OKC. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,L |
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12 | 04/11/1927 | 2000 | 52 | 500 | F3 | 1 | 7 | Caddo/ Grady/ Canadian | Near Alfalfa - near Mustang |
Moved ENE from SW of Alfalfa to Mustang, affecting the southwesternmost parts of OKC. The funnel reportedly was a half mile wide as it destroyed 8 homesteads and killed dozens of cattle near Alfalfa. It cut an intense swath of damage across northern Grady County, leveling entire farms. Seventeen homes were destroyed in a 2-block wide swath across the N part of Mustang, where one woman was killed. It reportedly "scorched" the ground and was watched by hundreds of people as it moved to the ENE at about 15 mph. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,L |
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13 | 11/19/1930 | 0930 | 17 | 150 | F4 | 23 | 125 | Oklahoma | 3 W OKC - Bethany - 3.5 NE WIley Post Airport |
Moved NNE from 3 miles W of the OKC limits (or 3.5 miles west of the Oklahoma City Municipal Airport - now Will Rogers Airport) and then hit the eastern part of Bethany. About 110 homes and 700 other buildings, or about a fourth of the town, were damaged or destroyed. Near the end of the damage path 3.5 miles NE of Wiley Post Airfield, the tornado hit the Camel Creek school. Buildings blew apart just as the students were falling to the floor and looking for shelter; five students and a teacher were killed. Damage estimate: $250,000 Data sources: D,G |
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14 | 06/22/1936 | Unkn | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | 6 S OKC | ||
A small tornado touched down briefly near the Cleveland County line, 6 miles S of downtown OKC. A barn was thrown into a house. Damage estimate: Minor Data sources: G |
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15 | 06/09/1937 | 1630 | 20 | 200 | F3 | 4 | 7 | Canadian/ Cleveland | 3 E Union City - SE of Mustang - SW OKC - 3 W Moore (possibly series) |
This tornado moved ESE from 3 miles E of Union City across SW parts of OKC to 3 miles W of Moore. Severe damage occurred to homes and barns on at least 8 farms. This was either a tornado family or a multiple-vortex tornado, and may well have been of F4 intensity. Damage estimate: $55,000 Data sources: G,L |
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16 | 05/21/1940 | 1700 | 1 | 17 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 1.5 E Mustang |
A minimal F2 tornado dipped three times, destroying a barn 1.5 miles E of Mustang. Damage estimate: $250 Data sources: G,L |
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17 | 06/12/1942 | 1938 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 2 SE Yukon | ||
A tornado was observed to the northwest by the National Weather Service observer at Will Rogers World Airport. A farm was damaged 2 miles south and 2 miles east of Yukon. The tornado reportedly traveled northeast several miles. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: O |
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18 | 06/12/1942 | 2041 | 2.3 | 500 | F4 | 35 | 100 | Oklahoma | SW Oklahoma City (max destruction between SW27 and SW29 betw Goff and Portland) |
This was the most deadly tornado on record to strike the OKC area until the May 3, 1999 F5 tornado. The funnel cut a twisting, erratic path through the SW part of OKC. Movement was generally to the NE, but it often "cut to the east or west". A total of 73 homes were destroyed and another 31 were damaged, with most of the damage occurring in the 27-29th Street areas between Portland and Goff Avenues. Damage estimate: $500,000 Data sources: G,L |
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19 | 04/12/1945 | 1525 | 20 | 400 | F4 | 8 | 200 | Oklahoma | SE Oklahoma City |
Moved NE from the Cleveland County line along the SE edge of OKC. About 160 homes were destroyed and 1,000 people were left homeless in Valley Brook, Del City, and Choctaw. Most of the casualties were families of personnel at Tinker AFB. Damage estimate: $1 million+ Data sources: G,L |
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20 | 02/18/1946 | 1500 | short | narrow | (F0) | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NE Oklahoma City |
A small tornado touched down in the NE part of OKC. Damage estimate: Minor Data sources: L |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21 | 03/20/1948 | 2210 | 16 | 880 | F3 | 0 | 8 | Oklahoma | OKC (Near Will Rogers Airport - Tinker AFB) |
Moved E, causing a record amount of damage to date in Oklahoma. The funnel moved across Will Rogers Field and Tinker AFB. Extensive damage occurred to buildings and aircraft, mainly at Tinker AFB where 54 aircraft were destroyed, including 17 C-54 transports valued at $500,000 apiece. Also destroyed were 15 P-47 fighters and two B-29 bombers. About 50 other planes were damaged and about 100 vehicles were damaged or destroyed. Three of the injuries were in the control tower. This event prompted the first efforts in tornado forecasting - a milestone made even more interesting 5 days later when the first tornado forecast ever made actually verified at the same location. Damage estimate: $10.25 million Data sources: G,L |
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22 | 03/20/1948 | 2225 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Tinker AFB | ||
A separate tornado from the one that caused the major damage at Tinker AFB. This one moved NE from the corner of the Base, where it damaged a few buildings. Along 23rd Street, a grocery store and other buildings were destroyed. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: G |
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23 | 03/25/1948 | 1800 | 1.5 | 200 | F3 | 0 | 1 | Oklahoma | Tinker AFB |
Moved NE, hitting Tinker AFB for the second time in less than a week. The likelihood of tornadoes in the area was forecast successfully for the first time ever, using new methods devised by Air Force forecasters after the tornadoes of five days earlier. This tornado struck just 100 yards from last week's tornado; 84 planes were hit, 35 of which were destroyed. These included 18 B-29s, 8 P-47s, 20 P-17s, and 3 C-47s. Hangars and other buildings were destroyed. This tornado was described as a "white finger" rather than the "black funnel" of the 20th. Damage estimate: $6.1 million Data sources: D,G,L |
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24 | 04/30/1949 | 1457 | 22 | 400 | F4 | 0 | 48 | McClain/ Cleveland | 5 S Blanchard - W of Norman - OU North Campus - W of Stella (far SE OKC) |
Moved slowly NE, destroying or damaging homes near Blanchard before moving to Norman and the North Campus of the University of Oklahoma. Well-constructed buildings were totally destroyed. The tornado turned to the NNE and dissipated west of Stella (extreme SE part of OKC). Nine farm homes were destroyed. Damage estimate: $800,000 Data sources: D,G,L |
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25 | 04/30/1949 | 1650 | 20 | 250 | F3 | 3 | 8 | Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln | 4 E Stella - near Shawnee Lake (far SE OKC) - S of McLoud - E of Meeker |
Formed about 4 miles east of Stella and moved NE to near Shawnee Lake (extreme SE part of OKC), where 11 homes were destroyed and one person was killed. Additional damage and 2 other deaths near Meeker. Damage estimate: $200,000 Data sources: D,G,L |
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26 | 02/27/1950 | 2020 | 2 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Near Lake Hefner |
A small tornado, moving north-northeastward, destroyed a large brooder house on a chicken farm near Lake Hefner. Another chicken house 1.5 miles farther to the north-northeast was destroyed. (Listed F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $6,200 Data sources: L,S,D |
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27 | 04/05/1951 | 1320 | 6 | 127 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | NW of Norman (near Newcastle) - NW of Moore |
Moved NE from near Newcastle to Pleasant Valley to NE of Moore, crossing extreme S parts of OKC. A school was damaged in Newcastle and a farm home was damaged in Moore. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: G,S |
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28 | 04/30/1951 | 2130 | 9 | 200 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SW - NE Oklahoma City |
Tornado produced a 100-block damage path through OKC from the SW part to the NE corner. Two homes and several businesses were unroofed, with lesser damage to over 1,000 other buildings. (Listed as F3 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: G,L,S |
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29 | 04/30/1951 | 2130 | 1.5 | 200 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NW Oklahoma City |
A second tornado damaged many homes in a 15-block path through the NW part of OKC. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: L,S |
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30 | 07/07/1952 | 1330 | 4 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 6 WSW Mustang |
Tornado touched down about 5 3/4 miles west and 2 3/4 miles south of Mustang. The tornado moved through grassland and advanced northeastward until it came to a draw, whern it turned due east. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: L,S,D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 | 04/14/1953 | 1850 | 16 | 440 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Grady | 5 SW Yukon - 8 E Tuttle |
Path to southeast curving to east-southeast from a point 5 miles southwest of Yukon to 8 miles east of Tuttle. Tornado damaged at least 8 farms. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: L,S |
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32 | 04/29/1954 | 2100 | 2 | narrow | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 3 WSW Yukon |
Tornado touched down 3 miles west and 1 mile south of Yukon and moved to the northeast. Four farmsteads were damaged. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: L,S,D |
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33 | 09/29/1954 | 1520 | 0.1 | 100 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (SW 59th/Western) |
This brief touchdown affected a 3-block area near 59th Street. Ten homes were damaged; 5 store buildings damaged and 1 destroyed. Four cars were crushed under a 90-foot section of a shopping center. A 500-lb soft drink machine was thrown 75 feet. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: G,L,S |
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34 | 05/11/1955 | 1610 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | W Oklahoma City |
A tornado was observed by Weather Bureau employees at 4:10 p.m. about 8 miles northwest of the station. Damage estimate: None Data sources: L,S,D |
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35 | 05/19/1955 | 1459 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 1 SE Will Rogers Airport |
Funnel was observed by Weather Bureau employees about 1 mile SE of Will Rogers Airport. It moved over the airport grounds, then turned northeastward. It appeared to be on the ground at times. Damage estimate: None Data sources: L,S |
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36 | 05/26/1955 | 0300 | 0.5 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SE part of Oklahoma City |
Moved northeastward across the SE part of the city. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: L,S |
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37 | 06/03/1956 | 0355 | N/A | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | Just W of Mustang |
Moved NE from W of Mustang, passing over that town mostly at "roof-top" level. There apparently were twin funnels, one of which damaged 42 of the 60 homes in town. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G,S |
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38 | 06/03/1956 | 0355 | N/A | N/A | F2 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | Just W of Mustang - Mustang |
This is the second of two tornadoes that developed over the west side of Mustang. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G,S |
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39 | 04/02/1957 | 2230 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | N edge of Oklahoma City |
Touched down briefly in a wheat field at the N edge of OKC. Damage estimate: None Data sources: L,S |
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40 | 05/22/1957 | 0800 | 2 | 50 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 1 SW Luther - Luther |
Moved northeast, destroying all buildings on a farm, except the home, 1 miles southwest of Luther. About 5,000 chickens were killed. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: L,G,S,D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
41 | 05/22/1957 | 1030 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 5 SE Yukon |
A farmstead was badly damaged 5 miles southeast of Yukon. The specific time is unknown. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: G,S,D |
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42 | 05/24/1958 | 1510 | 1 | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
Tornado struck Downtown Airpark, causing damage to 3 planes, a hangar, and several outbuildings. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $4,000 Data sources: L,S |
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43 | 05/08/1959 | 2300 | 0.5 | 20 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
A small tornado struck a country club golf course. Concession stands were damaged and trees were broken as the storm moved northeastward. Damage estimate: $500 Data sources: D,S |
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44 | 05/22/1959 | 0253 | 0.5 | 100 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Bethany |
Two homes and a church were damaged; several homes had shingles blown off. A couple narrowly escaped death when a slab of siding from one home rammed through their bedroom wall, breaking the headboard of the bed where they were sleeping. This is believed to be the same tornado that struck earlier W of Minco. Tornado traveled to the NE. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D,S |
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45 | 04/28/1960 | 2055 | 12 | 333 | F3 | 0 | 57 | Oklahoma | South part of Oklahoma City |
Moved ENE from Antioch (which may have been located near what is now SW 119th Street and Portland) to 1.5 miles north of Moore. The tornado wrecked 26 planes at the South Shields airport and destroyed or severely damaged several farmsteads, a cemetery and several homes and businesses. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,S |
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46 | 04/28/1960 | 2058 | 8 | 500 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | W and N of Moore |
Moved ENE from Antioch (which may have been located near what is now SW 119th Street and Portland) to 1.5 miles north of Moore. The tornado wrecked 26 planes at the South Shields airport and destroyed or severely damaged several farmsteads, a cemetery and several homes and businesses. [Path width 500yd, length 8mi] Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,S |
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47 | 04/28/1960 | 2105 | 4 | 400 | F2 | 0 | 6 | Cleveland | Moore |
Moved NE from SW of Moore, through town, hitting a radio tower and barn SW of town. At least 12 buildings were heavily damaged in Moore. Large hail damaged crops, broke windows, and damaged roofs and autos. (Another tornado was reported to have moved ENE from near Antioch to 1.5 miles N of Moore, wrecking 26 planes in four hangars at the South Shields Airport. Several farmsteads, homes, businesses, and a cemetery also were destroyed or heavily damaged. It is believed that this damage was an extension of either the south OKC tornado (#45), or another tornado that hit Moore (#49). Damage estimate: ($500,000) Data sources: D,G,S |
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48 | 05/04/1960 | 1955 | 5 | 400 | F3 | 0 | 4 | Oklahoma | Bethany |
Moved NE through Bethany from NW 10th Street to Tulakes (Wiley Post) Airport. A dozen homes were destroyed and 25 others were severely damaged. The new terminal at the airport was badly damaged. Damage estimate: ($250,000) Data sources: D,G,S |
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49 | 05/19/1960 | 1625 | N/A | N/A | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Moore |
One home was unroofed and two others were damaged in Moore. The tornado looked like a large dust devil. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,G,S |
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50 | 02/17/1961 | 1645 | 17 | 300 | F3 | 0 | 7 | Oklahoma | Near Spencer - NE of Luther |
Two small funnels were observed as they formed over Spencer; witnesses described them as "reaching the ground and bumping together." Tornado moved from Spencer across parts of northeast OKC to Jones, lifted NE of Jones, travelled aloft over Luther, and struck again at a farm NE of Luther. Several homes, mobile homes, and other buildings were destroyed; some were unroofed, blown apart, and dropped into piles. More than 20 other buildings were damaged. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,G,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 | 05/04/1961 | 2025 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | N of Yukon |
Police reported a tornado on the ground E of El Reno and N of Yukon (extreme W parts of OKC). Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,S |
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52 | 05/07/1961 | 0045 | N/A | N/A | (F0) | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Near Moore |
Weather Bureau observer at Will Rogers Field sighted a funnel aloft ESE of the station. Tornado touched down near Moore. Earlier, police reported a tornado at 1150PM crossing the highway between Moore and Norman; this may have been the same storm. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,S |
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53 | 05/21/1961 | 1453 | N/A | N/A | (F0) | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 12 NW Oklahoma City |
Public reported tornado on the ground 12 miles NW of OKC. No tornado damage was reported, but hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter damaged cars and roofs in northwest OKC. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,S |
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54 | 05/21/1961 | 1803 | N/A | N/A | (F2) | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NW Oklahoma City/ Bethany/ Warr Acres Area |
Tulakes (Wiley Post) airport reported a tornado 2 miles W; winds reached 78 mph at the airport. No damage was reported in the area where the tornado was spotted, but it may have lifted and "dipped" again in Bethany/Warr Acres where a house roof was torn off and "spun around," and trees were blown down. Damage estimate: $2,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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55 | 07/18/1962 | 1558 | N/A | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (2.2 NNE Will Rogers Airport) |
Funnel was viewed by control tower operators 2.2 miles NNE of Will Rogers Airport traffic control tower. The very slim funnel picked up considerable dust before lifting back into the 3,000 foot cloud base. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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56 | 05/26/1963 | 1545 | 34 | N/A | F3 | 1 | 4 | Logan/ Oklahoma/ Lincoln | ~6 SE Seward - 3 N Meeker |
The tornado moves southeast from north of Arcadia, crossing the Turner Turnpike just south of Luther, and moved to 3 miles north of Meeker. A number of farmsteads were heavily damaged or destroyed. On one farmstead about 7 miles southeast of Luther, a trailer home was smashed, fatally injuring a woman. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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57 | 05/26/1963 | 1700 | N/A | N/A | F3 | 0 | 5 | Oklahoma | 5 E Tinker AFB |
Tornado hit 5 miles E of Tinker AFB. A grocery store/service station was demolished. Eighteen homes, and many cars and outbuildings, were heavily damaged. Concrete block buildings were leveled. Hail up to 4 inches in diameter accompanied the storm. The entire storm left a 67-mile swath of damage from tornadoes, straight wind, hail, and heavy rain from Del City to near Holdenville. Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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58 | 07/29/1963 | 1515 | N/A | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (3800 block NW 58th) |
A small tornado hit in the 3800 block of NW 58th Street. One home was totally unroofed and two others partially unroofed. Witnesses reported that the roofing was "carried spiraling aloft." Damage estimate: $1,500 Data sources: D,L,S |
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59 | 05/01/1964 | 1630 | N/A | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 5 WSW Yukon - NW Oklahoma City |
Tornado dropped to the ground about 430PM near Cimarron Airport 5 miles WSW of Yukon and moved slowly ENE for 3 miles before lifting. The funnel remained aloft as it skirted the NW side of Yukon, passed SE of Piedmont, and headed into Oklahoma County across the extreme NW limits of OKC around 520PM. It is believed that the funnel touched down briefly at a racing stable on the NW edge of OKC, lifting and "disintegrating" a 200-foot section of the stable roof in the air. Damage estimate: $5,600 Data sources: D,L,S |
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60 | 07/28/1964 | 1555 | 0.3 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (4100 block SW 20th) |
A small tornado was sighted lowering to the ground near the 4100 block of SW 20th Street, where it was then obscured by a blinding rainstorm. The storm moved ESE for 4 blocks across open fields, then lifted at 20th and S. Portland where a large portion of a roof was lifted from a shopping center. An air conditioner and a large sign were torn from the roof. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $37,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
61 | 05/26/1965 | 0300 | 1.5 | 100 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (Rotary Park - Downtown Airpark - Near SW 7th/Broadway) |
This tornado was observed at "tree-top level." and moved along a northeastward path from Rotary Park across Downtown Airpark and Wheeler Park to approximately Broadway and SW 7th Street. Trees were uprooted, large limbs were twisted off, one large building was unroofed, telephone poles and power lines were blown down, and scaffolding was damaged at the new Post Office building. Heaviest damage was sustained by the R&R Laundry Supply Company. The roof was torn off, crushing 10- 12 cars and a small storage building. Flying debris damaged a trailer owned by a trucking company. A church in NE OKC was completely destroyed by high winds. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $105,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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62 | 08/31/1965 | 1345 | 1.0 | 100 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (Lake Hefner) |
The first of three tornadoes in OKC area on this day. Two funnels "let down close to the ground" at the Lake Hefner Golf Course along the south shore of Lake Hefner. The smaller funnel retreated into the clouds, while the larger one touched down near the #16 hole and moved out over the lake to the NE. Observers watched the tornado for more than 5 minutes as it churned the lake water. The tornado lifted near the east shore. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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63 | 08/31/1965 | 1415 | 12 | 50 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma/ Cleveland | Near SW 80th/May - NW Corner of Moore - SE Oklahoma City |
Two large storm cells converged E of Will Rogers Airport and "formed a rotating cloud." The storm moved SE, with a funnel forming near SW 80th & May Avenue. The tornado remained 50 to 150 feet above the ground as it moved from the NW corner of Moore across that city to SW 134th & Sunnylane Avenue. The weak tornado was on the ground several times and drew considerable dust and debris aloft. It lifted along a creek bed in the south-central limit of OKC. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,L,S |
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64 | 08/31/1965 | 1420 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Oklahoma City (near S May and the S Canadian River) |
The third tornado in the OKC area on this day, and the second of a pair that occurred in the Moore area. Moore police sighted this one near the Canadian River and May Avenue in OKC; it appeared to be on the ground for a few minutes, moving generally south. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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65 | 09/19/1965 | 0730 | 1.3 | 33 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (SW 3rd/Douglas - NW 5th/Hudson) |
A small tornado skipped northeastward across the NW edge of OKC's downtown business section "just above rooftop level," and touched down briefly three times causing light damage. The first brief touchdown was near SW 3rd & Douglas, where a roof was damaged on a produce stall at the Public Market. Several OKC Police officers saw the tornado hit a parking lot just west of the police station at 200 N. Shartel, where debris and flying gravel broke windows and pitted 12 automobiles. It last struck at NW 5th and Hudson, where a Firestone store and several adjacent buildings were damaged. Damage estimate: $42,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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66 | 09/19/1965 | 0745 | 0.6 | 17 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Del City/ Oklahoma City (SE 20th/Bryant - 3700 block NE 15th) |
A small tornado struck at SE 20th & Bryan (Bryant?) Avenue and moved NE "at rooftop level" to the 3700 block of NE 15th before dissipating. Damage was limited to downed trees and power lines, patio roofs, school buses and a few cars. Boards, toys, and other debris were seen swirling through the air. Damage estimate: ($2,500) Data sources: D,S |
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67 | 06/10/1967 | 2135 | 17 | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 4 N El Reno - 3 NW Lake Hefner |
Tornado was first reported on the ground about 4 miles N of El Reno at 935PM, then lifted. It was next sighted aloft about 5 miles N of Yukon, and last sighted on the ground at 1033PM 2.5 miles NW of Lake Hefner (NW part of OKC). Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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68 | 06/10/1967 | 2135 | N/A | N/A | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | The Village (Near 106th/May) |
A park ranger at Lake Hefner sighted a tornado on the ground briefly near NW 106th and May. Funnels aloft were sighted near NW 112th & Broadway Extension, and near NW 122nd & Sunnylane around 1100PM. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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69 | 04/22/1968 | 1550 | 0.1 | 15 | F2 | 0 | 1 | Oklahoma | N part of Tinker AFB/Midwest City |
A tornado touched down at the N edge of Tinker AFB, causing roof damage to two warehouses. It crossed I-40 and struck a large car dealership at the 7600 block of SE 29th Street. The roof of one building was ripped off and the debris hurled across a lot full of new cars. The roof and windows of the showroom/service building were damaged, as were an adjacent used car lot and car wash. A 2x12 rafter was thrown about 800 feet over the top of a nearby building, piercing the windshield of an auto driving out of the service shop. Of the more than 200 people within the one-block area, only one was hurt despite several being blown down. Approximately 300 autos were damaged. Damage estimate: $400,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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70 | 08/10/1968 | 1627 | 0.1 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (Near NW 8th/Portland) |
Two persons watched a small tornado touch down during heavy rain and lift a steel-frame roof from a 20x30 foot garage building near NW 8th and Portland. The roof section was lifted about 50 feet into the air and then began spiralling in a 100-foot circle back to the W before heading NE for 100 yards where it crashed into the roof of an adjacent manufacturing company. Debris littered the immediate neighborhood after the funnel pulled quickly back into the heavy rain. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
71 | 06/25/1969 | 1700 | 0.8 | N/A | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Near Choctaw |
A tornado touched down near Choctaw and skipped along a 3/4 mile path before lifting. Trees were uprooted, roofs were torn from sheds and barns, and 1/2 mile of irrigation pipe was damaged. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,S |
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72 | 04/30/1970 | 0040 | NA | NA | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | N of Yukon - N of Lake Hefner |
A tornado moved from north of Yukon to north of Lake Hefner. The tornado was surveyed by research meteorologists from the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: N |
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73 | 04/30/1970 | 0100 | 47 | 500 | F2 | 0 | 6 | Grady/ Canadian/ Oklahoma | 4 NW Pocasset - 3 E Minco - Mustang - Oklahoma City - 2 W Arcadia |
Tornado moved NE from 4 miles NW of Pocasset to 3 miles E of Minco, through Mustang, and along a path up to 1/2 mile wide from the SW corner of OKC to the NE corner. The last damage was observed 2 miles W of Arcadia. A shopping center was ripped apart and the city hall was unroofed in Mustang. Damage in Mustang was estimated at $500,000. Two semi trailers were blown off I-40 while approaching OKC from the W. In OKC there was damage to 1,473 homes, of which about 50 were unroofed. Only 2 or 3 people reported seeing the funnel, but many heard a loud noise like a jet engine. Ten businesses were destroyed, including a large auto dealership where losses were $1 million. About 293 businesses, 8 schools, 12 churches, and 300 signs were damaged. 30,000 phones were reported out of order, mainly in Mustang and NW OKC. OG&E reported 215 poles down. Damage estimate: $6.3 million+ Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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74 | 04/30/1970 | 0131 | 3 | 200 | F1 | 0 | 2 | Oklahoma | N edge of Lake Hefner - Camelot addition in extreme NW OKC |
A second tornado touched down at the N edge of Lake Hefner and moved NE, destroying 10 homes and damaging 20 others in the Camelot addition in the extreme NW part of OKC. This apparently was part of a family of tornadoes that began SW of Altus and ended S of Stillwater. Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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75 | 06/11/1970 | 1410 | 13 | 100 | F3 | 0 | 1 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | S of Yukon - Oklahoma City (near NW 150th/MacArthur) |
Tornado moved ENE from just S of Yukon to NW OKC. Two farms were destroyed near Yukon. A nursing home and a retirement home were damaged near Northwest Highway and Council Rd. in the extreme NW part of the city; a nursing home resident was injured. The funnel lifted as it moved NE, but touched down again and damaged two farmsteads near 150th & N. MacArthur. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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76 | 10/30/1971 | 1100 | 0.1 | 10 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Near Valley Brook |
A small tornado lifted a barn roof about 100 feet in the air and carried it about 300 feet in Valley Brook. The owner said he saw the funnel hit the barn and return to the parent cloud. Damage estimate: ($2,500) Data sources: D,S |
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77 | 06/27/1972 | 1945 | 0.1 | 20 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (US - 62 near SW 74th St and May Ave) |
Tornado touched down near SW 74th and May Avenue. Heavy dust and trash were picked up by the funnel, but there was no tornado damage. Hail up to 2.75 inches and straight-line winds over 80mph caused damage in several areas, however. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D,L,S |
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78 | 06/04/1973 | 1800 | 2 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 2 NE Yukon |
A small tornado touched down about 2 miles NE of Yukon (extreme w part of OKC). Farm buildings were destroyed and wheat was damaged. Minor wind damage occurred in Yukon. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,S |
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79 | 10/11/1973 | 0115 | 5 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (SW 89th/May - SE 22nd/Byers) |
Moved NE through south OKC, causing spotty damage along a narrow path from SW 89th and May to about SE 22nd and Byers. Most of the damage was limited to roofs, fences, sheds, and windows; there was little structural damage except for an apartment complex at SW 59th & Lee where about 8 roofs were removed, and a few apartments sustained wall damage. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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80 | 11/19/1973 | 1930 | 24 | 500 | F3 | 5 | 46 | McClain/ Cleveland/ Oklahoma | Blanchard - Moore - Del City - SE Oklahoma City |
Tornado moved NNE at about 40mph from about 1 mile SSW of Blanchard. It moved through the west part of Blanchard, where winds were estimated at 150-175 mph. About a third of the town was damaged; 31 homes, 2 businesses and 2 churches were destroyed, and 44 homes and 2 businesses had major damage. Spotty damage occurred NE of Blanchard before it moved into Moore, where it struck a trailer park in S Moore and hit many homes and businesses in N sections. A total of 37 mobile homes were destroyed and 30 others were damaged. Of the 28 injuries in Moore, most occurred in the trailer park. Substantial damage occurred to a warehouse at SE 89th where a watchman was killed by a collapsed concrete brick wall. The remaining deaths occurred in mobile homes in Blanchard and Moore. Minor roof damage occurred in SE OKC and Del City N to about 20th Street SE. Damage estimate: $5.3 million Data sources: D,G,L,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
81 | 03/08/1974 | 1815 | 9 | 40 | F1 | 0 | 1 | Oklahoma | OKC (near NE 17th/Eastern - W of Post Road/Britton Road) |
Moved NE from NE 17th and Eastern, damaging several buildings between there and NE 28th & Grand. Trees were downed near NE 47th and Coltrane and also 1/2 mile south of NE 63rd and Bryant. A shed and trailer were damaged west of Jones, 1/2 mile W of Post Oak Rd. on Britton Rd. One duplex was destroyed, two houses had major damage, and 8-9 houses suffered minor damage. Damage estimate: $40,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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82 | 04/20/1974 | 1500 | 64 | 100 | F2 | 0 | 3 | Grady/ Canadian/ Oklahoma/ Lincoln | SW of Minco - 2 SE Mustang - S Oklahoma City - Del City - Midlothian |
This tornado "skipped" ENE from 3 miles SW of Minco before touching down about 2 miles SE of Mustang and continuing across the SE part of OKC, across Del City, to 3 miles NW of Harrah before lifting near Midlothian. The tornado moved about a mile S of the National Weather Service office at Will Rogers Airport, where 2-inch diameter hail and wind gusts of 66 mph were reported. Most of the damage was in southern OKC and the Del City area. Five homes were unroofed in OKC and 3 men were injured when a truck was overturned. Homes were damaged and a dozen barns were damaged or destroyed in rural areas. This may have been a series of 2 or 3 tornadoes, but available data cannot identify separate tornado tracks. (Listed as F3 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $750,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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83 | 05/23/1974 | 1835 | .75 | 100 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | Near I-40/Mustang Road |
A small tornado touched down briefly near I-40 and Mustang Rd. (far W part of OKC). Several power poles were damaged, and minor damage occurred to several cars. Tornado moved from NW to SE. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,S |
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84 | 06/08/1974 | 1342 | 9 | 250 | F3 | 0 | 14 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (Will Rogers Airport - SW 22nd/Robinson) |
The first of several tornadoes in the OKC area on this day, this one touched down a few feet SW of the National Weather Service office building at Will Rogers Airport, and hit the office. It continued east-northeast across the SW part of OKC. The first major damage was observed at SW 44th and Independence, and the last damage was noted at SW 22nd & Robinson. It destroyed 11 homes, 2 trailers, and 5 small businesses. A total of 42 homes received major damage, and 630 received minor damage. Damage estimate: $1 million Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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85 | 06/08/1974 | 1411 | 5 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 1.5 SW - 2 NE Spencer |
Tornado touched down about 1.5 miles SW of Spencer and moved NE along Jones-Spencer Road. Damage was done to high line poles and some small businesses. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,S |
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86 | 06/08/1974 | 1418 | 10 | 600 | F3 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 3 W Jones - S of Luther |
Moved NE from 3 miles W of Jones to S of Luther. Four steel power line structures, built to withstand 150-mph winds, were blown down where the tornado crossed the Turner Turnpike. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,S |
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87 | 06/08/1974 | 1535 | 3 | 100 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (SW 59th/Penn - SW 44th/Lee Ave) |
Touched down near SW 59th and Penn and moved NE, doing moderate damage to a few homes. Most damage was to roofs and trees. The last damage was at SW 44th & Lee Avenue. Damage estimate: $25,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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88 | 06/08/1974 | 1548 | 9 | 127 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 3 SW Choctaw - 2 NE Harrah |
Tornado touched down 3 miles SW of Choctaw and destroyed or damaged several farm buildings along an ENE path ending about 2 miles NE of Harrah. Damage also occurred to an OG&E plant and several power line poles. (Listed as F3 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,G,S |
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89 | 08/01/1974 | 1540 | 1 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Moore (near NW 2nd/Santa Fe) |
A small tornado touched down near NW 2nd & Santa Fe Streets in Moore, and moved ESE. Mostly roof damage was sustained across a small section of Moore, including two roofs completely destroyed. Damage estimate: ($250,000) Data sources: D,S |
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90 | 05/13/1975 | 1515 | 2 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | OKC (southeast of SW 89th/ Western) - N Moore |
Touched down just SE of SW 89th & Western and moved ESE, damaging an apartment complex. Several car windows exploded outward. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $25,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
91 | 11/19/1975 | 1140 | 0.3 | 33 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (1 S Turner Turnpike Gate on I - 35) |
A small tornado formed along the leading edge of a line of moderate to heavy thunderstorms associated with a strong cold front. Eyewitnesses said the tornado descended to the ground directly over an unoccupied restaurant on the west side of I-35 1 mile S of the Turner Turnpike gate. The restaurant was destroyed. It then moved NNE, scattering debris across I-35. A semi-trailer truck was turned on its side on the east side of I-35. Damage estimate: $40,000 Data sources: D,L,S |
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92 | 03/04/1976 | 1125 | 0.5 | 20 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Choctaw |
A small tornado first touched down along Louise Drive in the W part of Choctaw, where a barn was destroyed and shingles were torn from the roof of a house. It then lifted and remained aloft for about 1/2 mile as it moved E at about 40 mph across downtown Choctaw. It touched down again over the Choctaw Fire station, where part of the corrugated tin roof was ripped off. Large trees adjacent to the fire station were heavily damaged. The grade and junior high school buildings located 1 block away, with 1,400 students inside, were undamaged. A wind speed indicator located 50 feet from the fire station recorded winds of 71 mph. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,S |
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93 | 05/20/1977 | 1840 | 15 | 400 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Midwest City - Oklahoma City (near Sooner Road from SE 15th to NE 108th) |
Tornado moved NNW from Midwest City to the NE part of OKC to Edmond. Damage in the OKC- Midwest city areas was along Sooner Road from SE 15th Street to NE 108th. Three mobile homes, a service station, and 13 homes sustained major damage. There were 105 homes with minor damage. In Edmond, three houses and three mobile homes were destroyed, and two schools and many homes had varying amounts of damage. Damage estimate: $600,000 Data sources: D,G,L,S |
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94 | 04/30/1978 | 1755 | 7 | 70 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 4 WSW Richland - Richland - 1 NE Richland |
The tornado touched down 2 miles south and 4 miles west of the small community of Richland. It moved east-northeast through Richland dissipating about one mile to the northeast of the community. Very light damage occurred along its path. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,S |
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95 | 04/30/1978 | 1757 | 6 | 75 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 2 W Richland - 1 S Piedmont |
A tornado touched down 2 miles west of Richland and moved east-northeast before dissipating one mile south of Piedmont. Very light damage occurred along its path. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D,S |
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96 | 04/30/1978 | 1820 | 9 | 1760 | F4 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 2 S Piedmont - NW Oklahoma City - 9 W Edmond |
Tornado moved ENE from 2 miles S of Piedmont to 9 miles WNW of Edmond, skirting the extreme N parts of OKC. The heaviest damage was to a residential area 1 mile SE of Piedmont, where 15 homes in a housing addition were destroyed or heavily damaged. Ten rural homes also were severely damaged. Large objects, such as oil storage tanks, cars, and stock feeders, were picked up and carried up to a half mile. The damage path was at least a mile wide throughout its life cycle. Damage estimate: $2,500,000 Data sources: D,G,S |
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97 | 07/16/1979 | 1650 | short | narrow | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NW Oklahoma City |
A mini-tornado type vortex, probably a "gustnado," developed and damaged 8 houses in a block near the Canyon North and Martin Nature Park areas of NW OKC. Four homes lost a large part of their roofs, and the others suffered considerable damage. Although it only lasted a few seconds, a resident of one of the homes observed a white funnel and debris cloud as the damage was occurring and just after rain began. Gust-front type straight winds, generally from the NNE, also caused damage to trees, shingles, and windows in the area. (Listed as F2 in the SPC database.) Damage estimate: ($50,000) Data sources: D,S |
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98 | 08/19/1979 | 1400 | short | narrow | F0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Far SE Oklahoma City (SE 104 and Triple X) |
A small tornado touched down briefly and destroyed a barn under construction near SE 104th & Triple X Road (Cleveland County, extreme SE part of OKC). Damage estimate: ($2,500) Data sources: D,S |
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99 | 11/20/1979 | 1420 | 0.2 | 25 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | SW of El Reno |
Brief tornado touched down S of Banner and again near 164th & Morgan Rd. (extreme NW part of OKC). Utility poles, barns, and 2 vehicles were damaged. Damage estimate: ($25,000) Data sources: D,S |
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100 | 03/23/1980 | 1625 | 0.1 | 5 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (near SW 68th and May) |
Strong straight winds caused minor damage to several homes and apartment complexes near SW 68th & May Avenue. A condensation funnel was observed on the ground for about 30 seconds, but most, if not all, of the damage was due to straight winds. Damage estimate: Minor Data sources: D,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
101 | 06/03/1981 | 2030 | 1.0 | 100 | F1 | 0 | 2 | Oklahoma | SW Oklahoma City |
Tornado touched down in SW OKC and moved NE, damaging three residences and 9 businesses. Damage estimate: $1 million+ Data sources: D,S |
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102 | 05/08/1986 | 1812 | 4 | 200 | F3 | 0 | 15 | Oklahoma | OKC - Edmond (near NW 150th/ Western - near S 3rd/ US 77) |
Tornado touched down on the north edge of OKC, near 150th and N. Western Avenue, and followed a curving path, first NNE, then NE, then E, through parts of Edmond. Two housing additions were struck in Edmond, with 39 houses destroyed and 171 houses and 28 apartment buildings damaged. About 50-60 cars were damaged or destroyed. (A second tornado formed from the first, but its path was entirely within Edmond.) Damage estimate: $6.5 million Data sources: D,G,S |
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103 | 05/16/1986 | 2144 | 2 | 50 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Del City |
Tornado moved N from the west part of Del City. A church sanctuary was destroyed, a home was unroofed, and various other buildings were damaged. (Listed as F1 in Storm Data and the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $500,000 Data sources: D,G,S |
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104 | 09/29/1986 | 1530 | 0.1 | 75 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Midwest City |
Tornado damaged an apartment complex in Midwest City. Damage estimate: $70,000 Data sources: D,G,S |
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105 | 10/02/1986 | 0907 | 2 | 150 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | The Village |
A small tornado touched down in The Village near May and Wilshire Avenues and moved N to NE, touching down intermittently to 0.4 miles N of Hefner Road on Sunnymeade Avenue. Damage occurred to trees, power poles, storage sheds, and to roofs of 60 homes. Damage estimate: $600,000 Data sources: D,S |
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106 | 03/28/1988 | 1805 | 0.8 | 33 | F1 | 1 | 1 | Oklahoma | OKC (near I - 40 and Anderson Road) |
Touched down in northern Cleveland County in extreme SW parts of OKC, unroofing a building and damaging several horse trailers. The thunderstorm that produced this tornado appeared as a massive hook-shaped echo on radar that tracked along the Oklahoma-Cleveland county line. Despite the evidence of strong rotation, the storm only produced two short-lived tornadoes (this one and #107 below). Damage estimate: ($50,000) Data sources: D,S |
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107 | 03/28/1988 | 1720 | 0.1 | 30 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | SW Oklahoma City |
Tornado moved ENE across the SE part of OKC from near I-40 and Anderson Road, dipping down at the top of a hill and striking a mobile home park. It damaged several trailers and destroyed one near the bottom of the hill. The dollar amount of tornado damage is uncertain due to the extreme hail damage across south OKC. Large hail produced by the supercell totaled 1500 cars at the GM plant, and heavily damaged several large planes at Tinker AFB. Hail damage estimates were as high as $35 million in the S part of Oklahoma County. (Listed as F1 in Storm Data and the SPC database.) Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D,G,S |
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108 | 03/13/1990 | 1759 | 19 | 200 | F2 | 0 | 1 | Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln | 1 SW Stella - Stella - 4 W Meeker |
Tornado touched down 1 mile SW of Stella and moved NE across the extreme SE part of OKC, lifting 4 miles W of Meeker at 645PM. A mobile home was destroyed in Stella, resulting in one serious injury. Damage to the Shawnee Lakes area (Pottawatomie County) included the roof ripped off a home, several homes with minor structural damage, three mobile homes damaged, and a barn destroyed. In Lincoln County, a camper was rolled over onto a shed W of Meeker, and a mobile home 4 1/4 miles W of Meeker was destroyed. This was one of several tornadoes that tracked just S and E of the OKC area on this day, but the only one to occur within the OKC limits. Damage estimate: ($250,000) Data sources: D,S |
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109 | 05/02/1991 | 1920 | 0.5 | 30 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Moore |
Tornado occurred in Moore and south OKC along a thunderstorm gust front. It destroyed about 200 self-storage units at a storage facility, and about 20 boats at a boat storage facility across the street. Also, 5 mobile homes were damaged. Damage estimate: $325,000 Data sources: D,S |
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110 | 10/07/1992 | 1455 | 0.3 | 25 | F1 | 0 | 3 | Canadian | SW Oklahoma City (near SW 27th/ Czech Hall) |
A small "gustnado" moved through a residential area in SW OKC near SW 27th and Czech Hall Road. The area consisted mainly of mobile homes and modular homes. Six mobile homes were damaged or destroyed, and one garage was damaged. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D,S |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
111 | 06/13/1998 | 1845 | 0.1 | 30 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 2 WNW Yukon |
A storm chaser observed a brief tornado touching down in an open field about 2 miles west-northwest of Yukon. No known damage occurred with this tornado. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D |
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112 | 06/13/1998 | 1902-1903 | 0.8 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (Lake Hefner) |
Touched down on Lake Hefner and moved east, damaging numerous boats in dry dock at the Oklahoma City Boat Club. Otherwise, caused mostly minor damage to traffic signs on the east shore of the lake, and minor roof damage to homes just east of Lake Hefner Parkway. Dissipated between the Parkway and May Avenue. Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: D |
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113 | 06/13/1998 | 1907-1908 | 0.8 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (North) |
Formed near NW 84th and Walker and moved NE, dissipating just east of the Broadway Extension 1/4 mile south of Britton Road. A large part of the roof decking was removed from a home on the SE corner of 84th and Walker. Minor roof damage occured at several homes on 84th, 85th, and 86th Streets. Near Harvey and 87th/88th Streets, several homes suffered major roof damage, and the western half of the New Life Baptist Church was destroyed. Part of the church was thrown across 88th, causing damage to a home. Damage estimate: $200,000 Data sources: D |
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114 | 06/13/1998 | 1908-1911 | 1.5 | 75 | F2 | 0 | 4 | Oklahoma | OKC (NW)/Nichols Hills |
Formed 1 block west of May Ave and Pembroke Terrace, and moved east to Woods Park in Nichols Hills. A strip mall in the 7400 block of N. May suffered considerable damage to windows, roofs, and signs. On Pembroke Terrace, an RV was thrown into a house, a car was overturned, trees were toppled, and shingles and roof decking were partially blown away. Lesser damage occurred eastward into Nichols Hills. Most of the damage was F1 or less, but the overturned car, and major damage to one wood-frame roof, suggested that the tornado reached F2 intensity over a very small area. This tornado rotated anticyclonically (clockwise). Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D |
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115 | 06/13/1998 | 1912-1923 | 5.5 | 200 | F2 | 0 | 17 | Oklahoma | OKC (NE; Frontier City) |
The last, and strongest, of 4 tornadoes to hit north OKC this Saturday evening. Formed 1/4 mile SW of Bryant and Hefner Roads and moved NE, crossing I-35 at the north end of the Frontier City amusement park. It continued ENE close to 122nd Street, and dissipated at 723 PM (823 PM CDT) about 1/4 mile NE of I-44 and Douglas Blvd. All 17 injuries were minor, and occurred at Frontier City. Several businesses, including Frontier City, suffered major structural damage along I-35, from near 122nd south for about 3/4 mile. Damage at Frontier City was confined mainly to the north parking lot, where numerous vehicles were damaged. A 2-story brick building on the NE corner of the park suffered partial failure of the external walls, and the entire roof was removed. Damage elsewhere in the park was mainly due to strong inflow into the tornado. On the E side of I-35, A truck stop was severely damaged and a portable building containing a CB radio shop was swept away completely. Numerous homes in the Nottingham and Quail Ridge Run subdivisions, 1 to 2 miles E of I-35 along 122nd Street, suffered major or nearly complete roof failure, although most exterior walls remained intact. The tornado approached F3 intensity in these areas. Trees were damaged severely along much of the damage path. Damage estimate: $1 million Data sources: D |
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116 | 10/04/1998 | 1926-1928 | 1.5 | 33 | F0 | 0 | 0 | McClain/ Cleveland | N Newcastle - SW OKC |
Observed and videotaped by several people in Norman, Moore and Newcastle as it was illuminated by lightning. Touched down after dark (826 PM CDT) just NE of I-44 and 32nd Street in Newcastle, and moved N, crossing the Canadian River into extreme southwest OKC near SW 149th and Meridian Ave. Damage was primarily to trees. Damage estimate: $500 Data sources: D |
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117 | 10/04/1998 | 1934-1941 | 3 | 580 | F2 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Moore |
One of the most destructive tornadoes that occurred during a relatively rare fall outbreak that produced more than two dozen tornadoes in the state. This tornado touched down in Moore, roughly 1/2 mile S of South 19th Street and just E of Santa Fe Avenue, and moved almost due N before turning slightly to the NNE. It crossed Shields Blvd. just W of I-35 before dissipating just W of I-35 about 1/2 mile N of 27th Street. The worst damage was along N 12th Street just W of Janeway, where many homes lost their roofs and one home lost part of an exterior wall. Elsewhere. most of the damage was F1 or less. A total of 10 single-family homes were either destroyed or severely damaged, eight apartment buildings were severely damaged, and hundreds of other homes and businesses sustained minor damage. Damage estimate: $2 million Data sources: D |
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118 | 05/03/1999 | 1726-1848 | 38 | 1760 | F5 | 36 | 583 | Grady/ McClain/ Cleveland/ Oklahoma | 2 SSW Amber - far N Newcastle - SW Oklahoma City - N Moore-S Del City-W Midwest City |
This violent, long-lived tornado was the most infamous of nearly 60 tornadoes that struck central Oklahoma during an unprecedented outbreak on this Monday afternoon and evening. It formed around 626 PM CDT about 2 miles SSW of Amber, and grew rapidly to monstrous proportions as it headed NE, paralleling I-44. It moved across Bridge Creek and rural parts of NW Newcastle, causing continuous F4 and sporadic F5 damage. The tornado was estimated to be a mile in diameter in this area. It weakened to F2/F3 intensity and narrowed to less than 1/4 mile in width as it crossed I-44 and the Canadian River NE of Newcastle and entered far south OKC SW of 149th and May Ave. around 712 PM CDT. However, it regained F4/F5 intensity and widened again to 1/2 to occasionally 3/4 mile as it moved NE across south OKC, entering Moore just W and N of 12th and Santa Fe. Still moving NE and still producing F4 and occasional F5 damage, it crossed I-35 at the Shields Blvd. junction and moved into NE Moore, at which point it weakened slightly to F3/sporadic F4 intensity and began a gradual turn to the left. This turn took the tornado more to the NNE as it crossed I-240 between Bryant Ave. and Sunnylane Rd. It crossed SE OKC and entered Del City as an F4 tornado, width 1/3 to 1/2 mile, along SE 44th between Sunnylane and Sooner Rds, and continued NNE to the NW part of Tinker Air force Base, near SE 29th and Sooner Rd. Continuing to turn slowly, it moved almost due N but maintained F4 intensity as it crossed I-40 just E of Sooner Rd. and continued N to between SE 15th and Reno Ave. The tornado then weakened rapidly to F0/F1 intensity as it crossed Reno Ave., and at 748 PM CDT dissipated about 3 blocks N of Reno between Sooner Rd. and Air Depot Blvd. Totals from this tornado include 36 direct fatalities (12 in Bridge Creek, 1 in Newcastle, 9 in S/SE Oklahoma City, 5 in Moore, 6 in Del City, and 3 in Midwest City), 5 indirect fatalities during or shortly after the tornado, 583 direct injuries, numerous indirect injuries (too many to count), 1800 homes destroyed, and 2500 homes damaged. Damage estimate: $1 billion Data sources: D |
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119 | 05/03/1999 | 1831-1982 | 0.5 | 60 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SE 80th and Sooner Road (.4 S of I-240) |
While #118 (above) was moving through Moore and SE OKC, a small tornado crossed Sooner Rd near SE 80th at 732 PM. Damage was limited to a few fences blown down, and some minor roof damage to a couple homes. Damage estimate: $3,000 Data sources: D |
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120 | 05/03/1999 | 1853-1907 | 7 | 220 | F2 | 0 | 2 | Oklahoma | 3 SW Choctaw - Choctaw - 4 SE Jones (near NE 50th/Triple X) |
Shortly after tornado #118 (above) dissipated, another formed around 753 PM CDT 3 miles SW of Choctaw and moved NE through the center of town. It caused F1 and occasional F2 damage to homes SW of Choctaw and to several businesses in town, especially on the N side of 23rd. It weakened over rural areas NE of Choctaw, and dissipated around 807 PM CDT near NE 50th and Triple X Road. Totals include 8 businesses destroyed, 130 businesses damaged, 14 homes destroyed, and 23 homes damaged. Damage estimate: $3.2 million Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
121 | 05/03/1999 | 1917-1925 | 4 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 4 ENE - 6 NE Jones (~.5 SSW of 122nd/Triple X - I-404/ Triple X) |
Yet another tornado (the last of 14 tornadoes to be spawned by this thunderstorm) formed around 817 PM 3 miles ENE of Jones, just W of Triple X Rd. between Hefner and 122nd. It moved almost due N, and dissipated around 825 PM CDT near I-44. Damage surveys found F1 damage to several homes south of Memorial and Triple X Roads. Damage estimate: $60,000 Data sources: D |
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122 | 05/04/1999 | 0600-0603 | 2 | 50 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Southeast OKC (near SE149/Midwest Blvd) |
This tornado, rated F0, was observed by 2 persons about 7 miles north-northeast of Norman in Cleveland County, near Stanley Draper Lake. The only known damage occurred to fences, which were blown down near the intersection of Midwest Blvd. and SE 149th. Damage estimate: $1,000 Data sources: D |
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123 | 10/22/2000 | 1802-1807 | 1.5 | 40 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SE OKC/Valley Brook (near SE79/Pole - 0.5 WNW SE59/Eastern) |
The first of two tornadoes on October 22, 2000 formed across southern portions of Oklahoma City near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 240, and then moved northward for 1.5 miles before dissipating. Minor structural damage, consisting of 2 broken windows and an air conditioning unit blown off the roof, occurred to the Montgomery Ward Auto Express Store at Crossroads Mall. In addition, roof damage was sustained to several offices and businesses, and numerous homes in the town of Valley Brook. Damage estimate: $120,000 Data sources: D |
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124 | 10/22/2000 | 1814-1822 | 3 | 25 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (just W of SE22/Eastern - just W of NE16/MLK) |
The second tornado of the evening of October 22, 2000 touched down in southern Oklahoma City near the intersection of Eastern and SE 22nd. Minor damage to buildings, trees, and power lines, consistent with an F0 rating, occurred over a narrow, 3 mile path. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: D |
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125 | 04/15/2003 | 2241-2245 | 3.2 | 70 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 3.7 SSW - 2 SSE Choctaw |
The tornado began near SE 19th Street and Shirley Lane, 3.5 to 4 miles SSW of Choctaw and moved NE, ending at 1045PM just NE of Reno Avenue and Indian Meridian Road. Main structural damage was to a church at SE 15th Street and Henney Road, where part of the west wall was damaged. Several homes suffered roof damage along Choctaw Road, near the intersections with SE 10th Street and Falcon Way. Damage estimate: $125,000 Data sources: D |
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126 | 05/08/2003 | 1604-1608 | 2.3 | 100 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | OKC [NW of SW 149th and Penn - just SE of SW 134th and Western] |
The second of three tornadoes produced by a single storm that moved ENE across south and east sides of the OKC area. (The first was a brief F0 tornado in northern McClain County.) It began NW of 149th and Penn Avenue in far south OKC, and traveled generally ENE, ending at 408PM just NW of 134th and Santa Fe Avenue. Damage was limited mostly to trees, with structural damage limited mainly to fences, awnings, etc. One barn was partially unroofed near SW 140th and Penn. This tornado, for most of its lifetime, was embedded within a larger area of straight-line winds (known as a rear-flank downdraft, or RFD). Damage estimate: $500,000 Data sources: D,L |
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127 | 05/08/2003 | 1610-1638 | 17 | 700 | F4 | 0 | 45 | Cleveland/ Oklahoma | Moore - OKC (SE) - Midwest City (SE) - Choctaw [~1/2 mile N of SW 134th and Santa Fe to 1/2 mile E of Reno and Henney] |
Formed rapidly near Santa Fe Avenue and NW 5th Street in Moore shortly after tornado #120 (above) ended, and quickly strengthened to F3 intensity as it moved ENE through Moore - paralleling the path of the 3 May 1999 F5 tornado (#112) but tracking 1/4 mile or less farther south. The most intense damage in Moore (F3) occurred just W of I-35 and N of 12th Street, where several businesses were leveled. The tornado then moved NE and weakened to F2 intensity as it crossed into Oklahoma County just W of Bryant Avenue. In this area, the damage track coincided exactly with that of the 3 May tornado. This tornado then turned more to the ENE, crossing I-240 near Sooner Road and causing F3 and sporadic F4 damage along I-240 from near Sunnylane Road east to Air Depot Blvd. The tornado struck the General Motors assembly plant near I-240 and Air Depot Blvd, inflicting F4 damage, then crossed the SE part of Tinker AFB. Continuing NE, the tornado inflicted F3 and sporadic F4 damage mostly to residential and rural areas in far southeast OKC and south and east sides of Choctaw, before turning more to the E and ending at 438PM just SW of Reno Avenue and Indian Meridian Road. Damage estimate: $370 million Data sources: D,L |
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128 | 05/09/2003 | 2110-2114 | 1.5 | 880 | F1 | 0 | 8 | Oklahoma | Bethany/ Warr Acres (near NW 38th/Glade - NW 59th/Hammond) |
This was the fifth of nine tornadoes spawned by a supercell that tracked across the north sides of OKC after dark, and the first of three to strike the OKC metropolitan area. It began in Bethany near NW 38th and Glade Ave. and tracked NE into Warr Acres, ending at 914PM near NW 59th Street and Hammond Avenue. Damage was mostly F0 but with pockets of high-end F1, mainly in the area between NW 39th and NW 50th Streets on either side of Rockwell Avenue. F1 damage included southeast parts of Wiley Post Airport, where about 70 small planes and 40 hangars were damaged or destroyed. Damage surveys indicate that this tornado was embedded within a much longer and wider swath of damaging straight-line winds, and may have had multiple vortices during peak intensity. One indirect fatality was associated with this tornado - a man suffered head injuries while seeking shelter, and died two days later. Damage estimate: $10 million Data sources: D |
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129 | 05/09/2003 | 2118 | 0.5 | 50 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Bethany / Warr Acres |
This brief nighttime tornado was videotaped by a storm chaser. It began near NW 57th and Sapulpa Avenue and moved NE, ending just SW of Hefner Parkway and Northwest Expressway. Damage was mostly minor, being limited to fences and carports, but one restaurant sustained F1 roof damage just before the tornado dissipated. This tornado, like the previous one, was embedded within a larger area of damaging straight-line winds. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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130 | 05/09/2003 | 2129-2206 | 18 | 1320 | F3 | 0 | 2 | Oklahoma | OKC (NE of Wilshire and Eastern) - Jones (N) - 2.8 S Luther |
The third and most destructive of three tornadoes to strike the OKC area this evening began just E of the KWTV TV studios, or just NE of Wilshire and Kelly Avenues. It moved ENE, crossing I-35 as an F2 tornado between Britton and Hefner Roads. Damage intensity reached a maximum of F3 at an industrial building and horse ranch E of I-35 and S of Hefner Road. The tornado then weakened to F1 as it tracked between Air Depot and Midwest Blvd., just N of Hefner Road, but re-intensified as it crossed Midwest Blvd. One home was destroyed (F3) S of NE 122nd Street, and two others heavily damaged (F2). The tornado then turned briefly to the SE, before resuming a more ENE track parallel to and just S of the Turner Turnpike. Damage in this area was mostly F0/F1 in rural areas, with spotty F2 damage in the far NW part of the city of Jones. The tornado ended at 1006PM about 3 miles S of Luther. Damage estimate: $7 million Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
131 | 06/09/2004 | 1635 | 0.3 | 20 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | 8 E Moore |
A brief tornado damaged trees on the southeast side of Lake Stanley Draper between South Westminster Road and East Stanley Draper Drive near Southeast 140th Street. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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132 | 11/10/2004 | 1636-1638 | 1.2 | 75 | F0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 2 ESE - 2.5 E Spencer |
This tornado was observed by media helicopters. It formed near the intersection of Northeast 40th Street and Post Road and moved northeast before lifting near 50th Street and Westminster. A large metal garage door was damaged near the 4000 block of North Post Road. Some tree and power line damage also occurred. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: D |
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133 | 11/10/2004 | 1643-1650 | 3 | 400 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 2 SSW - 2.5 E Jones |
This tornado remained within the city limits of Jones affecting southern portions of the town. The tornado began near the intersection of Northeast 63rd and Hiwassee Road and moved ENE to just southwest of the intersection of Britton Road and Indian Meridian Road. Overall, 52 homes and 1 business were affected with minor roof damage and broken windows. Several outbuildings, barns, and sheds were damaged or destroyed along with numerous trees and power lines downed and a few power poles broken. Damage estimate: $1 million Data sources: D |
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134 | 04/10/2005 | 1930-1944 | 5 | 75 | F1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 4.5 WSW Newalla - 3.5 SW Harrah (SE OKC near SE 74th/Marianne Dr. - Harrah just SW of Reno and Peebly) |
The tornado began in far southeast OKC near the intersection of SE 74th Street and Marianne Drive, where trees were damaged. A trailer and barns were damaged near SE 53rd Street and Triple X Road as it moved to the NNE. Many power lines and poles were downed along SE 15th Street west of Peebly Road. The worst damage was at the Hasel farm near SE 15th Street and Peebly Road, where a barn, numerous trees, and several fences were damaged or downed. The tornado lifted just southwest of Reno Avenue and Peebly Road, just before crossing into the Harrah city limits. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D |
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135 | 03/29/2007 | 1505-1525 | 7.5 | 50 | EF2 | 0 | 5 | Canadian | NW OKC: near NW 39th/Sara (2 E Yukon) - N of Memorial Road / Morgan Road (3.5 ESE Piedmont) |
This tornado developed near the intersection of NW 39th Street and Sara Road in western Oklahoma City, and moved north northeast. In this area several homes suffered roof and garage door damage. The tornado continued north along and just west of the Kilpatrick Turnpike. Significant damage was noted along NW 63rd Street, where a home was heavily damaged, several travel trailers and a boat were rolled and damaged. Several vehicles were also pushed by the wind. Another area of significant damage was noted along Wilshire Blvd., just west of the Kilpatrick Turnpike. In this area a travel trailer was destroyed, with additional damage to a home and several outbuildings. Two people were directly injured in the travel trailer. In addition, several hardwood trees were snapped, indicative of EF2 damage. The tornado appeared to have been at its widest toward the end of its path along Morgan Road just north of NW 122nd Street, and it was at this point along the path where the intensity appeared to have been at its highest. Several homes sustained significant roof and siding damage and several wooden power poles were snapped. A metal building was severely damaged. Just to the east of this location, three large electrical transmission towers were damaged. Spotty light damage continued a little further north before the tornado dissipated along Morgan Road north of Memorial Road at 1525 CST. Three additional people were directly injured on the Kilpatrick Turnpike. This EF2 tornado injured 5 people and caused an estimated half of a million dollars in damage. |
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136 | 05/07/2007 | 0132-0133 | 1.5 | 30 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (NE 36th/MLK - NE 50th/I-35) [1.7 WNW - 1.6 NNW Forest Park] |
This tornado occurred within the city limits of Oklahoma City. A narrow path of considerable tree damage was found from just northwest of the intersection of NE 36th Street and Martin Luther King Avenue to just east of the intersection of Interstate 35 and NE 50th Street, including a swath about 30 yards wide across Lincoln Park Golf Course. Damage consisted of numerous small to medium branches broken off trees, as well as numerous large rotted branches. A number of small trees in wet soil were also pushed over along this path. Minor shingle damage was noted to a home just east of I-35 and NE 50th Street, and minor gutter damage was noted to a large metal building just to the southwest of the house. A couple of wooden fences were pushed over and a small canopy was torn near the start of the path. However other structures in or near the path showed little discernible damage. Damage estimate: $25,000 Data sources: D |
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137 | 03/31/2008 | 0039-0045 | 3.5 | 100 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 4 W - 2.5 NNW Edmond (near NW 178th/Penn - at least Covell between Santa Fe and Kelly) |
From the official National Weather Service damage survey, this tornado appeared to have developed near the intersection of NW 178th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The tornado caused most of its damage in the Valencia neighborhood. It was here that many homes sustained roof, window, garage door, and fence damage. One home sustained especially heavy damage, with a large portion of the roof being lost and extensive damage to the inside of the home. The tornado continued northeast and appeared to have dissipated just northeast of the subdivision, where some tree damage was noted. After a gap, additional damage was observed near the intersection of NW 192nd Street and Western Avenue, where several large power transmission poles were blown down, and some fence damage was also observed. While there was not a continuous damage path between the two damage sites, they do appear to be in line with the storm's path. A storm chaser also observed this tornado as far northeast as at least Covell Road between Santa Fe Avenue and Kelley Avenue where it is believed to have dissipated. Damage estimate: $450,000 Data sources: D |
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138 | 05/07/2008 | 1557-1609 | 7.5 | 120 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 1 E Yukon - 1 ENE Warr Acres (SW of Main St/Mustang in Yukon - near NW60/Meridian) |
The tornado moved from 1 mile east of Yukon to 1 mile northeast of Warr Acres (southwest of the intersection Main St/Mustang Road) in Yukon to the intersection NW60 Street and Meridian Avenue. The tornado developed southwest of Main Street and Mustang Road on the east side of Yukon. The tornadic winds removed part of a residence's roof near this location. Sporadic damage to trees and fences were reported as the tornado moved east northeast toward the north side of Lake Overholser. The tornado continued moving east-northeast into Oklahoma County. The tornado continued from the north side of Lake Overholser and crossed NW 39th street, damaging several bleachers next to the baseball field. Damage to trees was also noted at this location, with one tree falling on a gas plant. About 50 residents had to be evacuated due to the gas leak. An apartment complex was sustained some damage near NW 50th and Grove streets. Tree damage continued along the tornadoes path until it finally lifted near NW 60th and Meridian Avenue. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D |
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139 | 05/07/2008 | 1622-1626 | 2.8 | 20 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 5 NNW - 3 NNE The Village (near NW 164th and May - near Memorial/Western) |
The tornado moved from 5 miles north-northwest to 3 miles north-northeast of The Village of from near the intersection of NW 164th Street and May Avenue to near near the intersection of Memorial and Western Avenue. The tornado developed near NW 164th and May Avenue. Scattered tree and sign damage was reported as the tornado moved southeast toward Memorial Road and Western Avenue. Roof damage was also observed at a residence near NW 150th and Pennsylvania Avenue, and at an apartment complex northeast of Pennsylvania Avenue and Memorial Road. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: D |
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140 | 02/10/2009 | 1436-1437 | 0.7 | 75 | EF1 | 0 | 3 | Oklahoma | NW OKC (Near Northwest Expressway and Rockwell) |
A brief tornado affected the area near Northwest Expressway and Rockwell Avenue. Two large shopping complexes received significant roof damage, enough to close two of the stores for several days. A smaller retail building received major roof damage and a majority of its windows were blown out. A restaurant had part of its wall collapse and a plywood board from the small retail building was driven into the side of the building. An apartment complex received damage, mostly minor. One of the buildings in the complex had part of its roof completely removed. The tornado continued into a neighborhood, damaging mainly trees and doing minor shingle damage before lifting. Reports of three injuries were received from the area. Damage estimate: $1 million Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
141 | 02/10/2009 | 1453-1505 | 5.7 | 250 | EF2 | 0 | 4 | Oklahoma/ Logan | West Edmond into far southern Logan County (near NW 192nd and Western - 0.5 NE of Waterloo and Broadway) |
This tornado touched down near the intersection of 192nd and Western. The tornado tracked to the northeast, damaging a number of homes, some severely, and trees along its path. Most of the severe damage started around Kelly Ave and Sorghum Mill Rd and continued until the end of the tornado’s path. Several homes in the Oak Tree development lost significant portions of their roof. Several homes also has large portions destroyed due to large garages and rooms above the garages. This tornado continued into Logan County. In all, over 200 homes were damaged or destroyed. Over 28,500 people were without power at the its peak. Luckily, only four minor injuries were reported. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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142 | 05/13/2009 | 2141-2147 | 0.5 | 80 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | West edge of Stanley Draper Lake |
The tornado developed over the northwest side of lake and moved south-southeast along the western shore. A boat dock was damaged and trees and other small structures sustained minor damage. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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143 | 05/10/2010 | 1613 | 0.2 | 20 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NW OKC (near Penn and Memorial) |
An Oklahoma City police officer observed a tornado touch down briefly near Memorial Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. No damage was reported. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D |
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144 | 05/10/2010 | 1620-1651 | 24 | 2000 | EF4 | 2 | 49 | Cleveland/ Oklahoma | Far north Norman (near Santa Fe/Indian Hill Road) - south Moore - Lake Stanley Draper - I-40/Choctaw - 1.5 SSE Harrah |
This long-tracked and devastating tornado developed west of I-35, northwest of Max Westheimer airport. Widespread tree, power line/pole damage was reported from near I-35 to the east side of Stanley Draper Lake. Several homes also sustained damage, mainly with mostly roofs receiving significant damage, and some siding was ripped off. Several fences were also knocked down as the tornado moved northeast. From the east side of Lake Stanley Draper, near Hiwassee Road and SE 89th Street, to just south of Harrah, the damage path became more severe and focused. The tree damage became more severe, breaking at various heights of the tree or being uprooted. Walls of homes collapsed, and debris from the homes scattered in all s. Several 2x4's punctured roofs and ceilings over numerous structures. A few mobile homes in this area were also completely destroyed. Where the tornado crossed I-40, a gas station and drive-in restaurant sustained up to EF3 damage. The most severe damage, one of the two EF4 tornadoes of the day, occurred in the Deerfield West Subdivision. A well-built residence here was completely destroyed, with most exterior and interior walls collapsing. The tornado finally lifted 2 miles south of Harrah. In addition to the incredible damage, one person lost their life while trying to flee the tornado. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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145 | 05/10/2010 | 1622-1627 | 4 | 250 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | South and east Moore (near Broadway/Eastern - NE of SE 119/Sunnylane |
Power poles and a house were damaged near and just east of Broadway Street and Eastern Avenue in the southern portion of Moore. As the tornado moved northeast, most of the roof was removed from a mobile home and trees were damaged west of Sunnylane Road north of NE 12th Street, and shingle damage occurred on a house just east of Sunnylane Road. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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146 | 05/10/2010 | 1627 | 0.5 | 50 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Far southeast Moore (near SE 34th St. and Sooner Road) |
Roof damage occurred at a restaurant near SE 34th Street and Sooner Road in southeast Moore. The tornado moved east-northeast across Sooner Road into a neighborhood, producing tree and roof damage before dissipating. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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147 | 05/24/2011 | 1606-1701 | 33 | 880 | EF4 | 1 | 48 | Grady/ McClain/ Cleveland | 2 S Chickasha - SW Oklahoma City (near SW 149th and Portland) |
The tornado formed on the south side of Chickasha, quickly doing EF-2 damage. Mobile homes were damaged and destroyed, trees were uprooted/destroyed, outbuildings were destroyed, and many buildings lost significant portions of their roofs. One fatality occurred as a mobile home was destroyed in the south portion of Chickasha. As the tornado moved northeast of Chickasha, it gained significant strength, with several areas receiving EF-4 damage. Well-built homes were destroyed. Trees were debarked with only stumps remaining. Cars were thrown hundreds of feet. Almost continuous EF-3/occasional EF-4 damage occurred northeast until it crossed into McClain County 1.5 miles south of Highway 9. The tornado was at its strongest as it approached and then crossed the Grady/McClain county line. Wind speeds in this area were estimated near 200 mph. Significant damage continued as the violent tornado moved into McClain County, with well-built homes being destroyed, and some swept completely from their foundations. A concrete dome home was severely damage, mainly by the flying debris. Trees were debarked or destroyed. Very little was left standing for the first few miles into McClain County. Fairly consistent EF-3, with brief periods of EF-4 damage occurred as the tornado neared/crossed OK State Highway 9, near the Highway 76 junction. The tornado began to weaken as it moved toward the Canadian River and the Cleveland County border, with mainly trees and power poles/lines being snapped. The tornado crossed over the Canadian River into Cleveland County, with mainly minor tree, power pole, and power line damage occurring. A few barns and outbuildings also sustained minor damage east of U.S. Interstate Highway 44. As it reached the end of its life cycle, the tornado moved due north and then made a small loop, finally traveling southeastward for about a half mile before dissipating in southwestern Oklahoma City near the intersection of SW 149th Street and Portland Avenue. All told, the tornado had traveled a along path of 33 miles long and had lasted for 55 minutes. The maximum path width was 0.5 miles. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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148 | 04/13/2012 | 2352-2355 | 2 | 75 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | SW OKC (1 N - 3 NNW Mustang; just SW of SW 54th/Mustang - near SW 29th/Tucson) |
The tornado occurred in southwest Oklahoma City, developing just southwest of Southwest 54th Street and Mustang Road and moving north-northwest to near Southwest 29th Street and Tucson Drive (just east of Czech Hall Road). Major roof damage was reported to a structure and four mobile homes sustained minor damage. Several trees, power lines, and fences were blown down along its path, including near the City baseball park. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
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149 | 05/29/2012 | 1926-1928 | 1 | 30 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 2 SW Piedmont (near NW 150th/Richland) |
Numerous people observed a small tornado that touched down near northwest 150th Street and Richland Road to the WSW of Piedmont. The tornado damaged the roof of a trailer. Monetary damages estimated. [path width 30yd, length 1 mile] Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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150 | 05/19/2013 | 1700-1750 | 23 | 1500 | EF4 | 2 | 10 | Cleveland/ Pottawatomie | East Norman (8 E downtown) - 6.5 ESE McLoud |
A long track tornado began at 5:00 PM CST in Cleveland County in east Norman to the north of Lake Thunderbird along 96th Avenue to the south of Tecumseh Road. The tornado moved northeast, crossing the eastern arm of Lake Thunderbird. A number of homes were significantly damaged as the tornado moved east-northeast through neighborhoods from near Indian Hills Road and 168th Avenue SE to the Pottawatomie County line. The large tornado moved east-northeast into Pottawatomie County at 5:20 PM CST then curving northeast as it approached State Highway 102. The tornado moved through a mobile home park north of Independence Road after crossing State Highway 102. Just northeast of the mobile home park, a permanent home was destroyed with much of the debris blown well to the northeast. It continued northeast crossing Interstate 40 near the intersection of US-177, then curved north-northeast finally dissipating near Wolverine Road and Coker Road at 5:50 PM CST. One fatality occurred in the mobile home park, and another man was killed in his vehicle. Although this tornado primarily affected northeast Norman and Shawnee, the tornado did move through the extreme southeastern tip of the city of Oklahoma City just west and north of Hardesty Road and Pottawatomie Road. At least EF2 damage occurred as a mobile home and outbuildings were destroyed just west of Pottawatomie Road within the city limits of Oklahoma City. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
151 | 05/20/2013 | 1356-1435 | 14 | 1900 | EF5 | 24 | 212 | McClain/ Cleveland | Newcastle (3 NW US-277/SH-130) - South OKC - Moore - 4.8 E Moore |
The violent Newcastle-South OKC-Moore tornado was first observed developing in McClain County about one-half mile south of OK State Highway 37 in northwest Newcastle to the east of Rockwell Avenue. EF4 damage was observed soon after the tornado crossed OK State Highway 37. The tornado continued to expand in size as it approached the Canadian River and the Cleveland County line. The tornado moved moved northeast across the Canadian River into Cleveland County near U.S. Interstate Highway 44. The tornado then turned more east and then east-northeast after crossing I-44. Violent EF4 damage was again observed as it began to move into progressively higher density residential areas approaching May Avenue. The center of the large tornado path passed near SW 149th Street and Western Avenue. After crossing Western Avenue, numerous buildings were destroyed and horses killed at Orr Family Farm. Two storage tanks estimated to weigh approximately 10 tons were lifted from Orr Family Farm and landed about one-half mile east. Moving east, the tornado destroyed much of Briarwood Elementary School, where the NWS storm survey team rated damage as EF5. Despite the destruction of this elementary school during school hours, no fatalities occurred at the school. As the tornado continued to move east and east-northeast, it moved through much more densely populated suburban neighborhoods of southwest Oklahoma City and Moore where violent destruction was widespread. The width of EF4 and greater damage was up to 250 yards wide as the tornado moved through neighborhoods east of Western Avenue. The first two fatalities occurred in a house in the neighborhood just east of Briarwood Elementary, with another fatality in a house as the tornado approached Santa Fe Avenue. After crossing Santa Fe Avenue, the tornado moved through more suburban neighborhoods and toward Plaza Towers Elementary School. Damage to the school was extensive and seven children were killed when a wall collapsed at the school. Nine other people were killed in eight different neighborhood homes within one-quarter mile of Plaza Towers Elementary, most occurring just south of the school. The tornado turned northeast as it approached Telephone Road, made a loop near the intersection of Telephone Road and 4th Street, then moved southeast crossing the interstate. Three people were killed when a convenience store along Telephone Road was destroyed. Crossing Telephone Road, the tornado inflicted significant damage to the Moore Medical Center, a post office and numerous businesses along Telephone Road and U.S. Interstate Highway 35. Although the tornado was more narrow after crossing I-35, it continued to produce EF4 damage in neighborhoods east of the interstate as it curved east and then again east-northeast. One fatality occurred at a business just east of the interstate, and one final fatality occurred in a home between Eastern Avenue and Bryant Avenue. Consistent EF4 damage continued until the tornado passed SE 4th Street just east of Bryant Avenue. Moving east from Bryant Avenue, the tornado continued to produce EF2 damage with isolated EF4 damage noted. The density of housing also decreased east of Bryant Avenue as the tornado moved east and east-northeast before dissipating east of Air Depot Blvd. between SE 119th Street and SE 134th Street in southeast Oklahoma City. Overall, more than 300 homes experienced EF4/EF5 damage along the tornado path. Damage estimate: $2 billion Data sources: D |
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152 | 05/31/2013 | 1729-1741 | 5 | 150 | EF2 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 6 W - 4.5 SW Yukon |
The Doppler on Wheels mobile radar detected a long-lived anticyclonic tornado southwest of Yukon. A storm damage survey team later confirmed damage produced by the tornado. Some structural damage was noted along with damage to trees. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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153 | 05/31/2013 | 1751-1809 | 6 | 600 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 4 SE Yukon - W OKC (SW 15th/Meridian; 5 WSW Downtown OKC) |
A relatively long-lived weak tornado began northwest of SW 15th Street and Morgan Road in western Oklahoma City to the southeast of Yukon. The tornado moved just south of east for a little over 1.5 miles and into Oklahoma County. Damage to trees and power lines was noted, as well as very minor structural damage to some homes. The tornado then moved into Oklahoma County from Canadian County in western Oklahoma City and moved generally east along and near SW 15th Street before dissipating near SW 15th and Meridian Avenue. Buildings, power lines and trees were damaged, including broken windows at a couple of motels along Meridian Avenue. Damage estimate: $150,000 Data sources: D |
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154 | 05/31/2013 | 1835-1837 | 0.5 | 200 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SE OKC (0.3 NNE SE59/Bryant) |
An EF-0 tornado traveled from Creekwood Terrace southeast to Keith Drive near SE 54th Street. Minor damage to trees and power lines was noted. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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155 | 05/31/2013 | 1842-1843 | 1 | 100 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | SW OKC (near SW 119/Meridian) |
A storm damage survey indicated a brief EF-1 tornado developed near in the South Lakes Park area near SW 119th Street and Meridian Avenue. Damage to several homes, trees, and power lines and poles occurred. Damage estimate: $100,000 Data sources: D |
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156 | 05/31/2013 | 1853-1855 | 1.1 | 300 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SW OKC (near SW59/Penn - SW59/Western) |
A tornado touched down just west of SW 59th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in southwest Oklahoma City, and moved east to just southwest of SW 59th Street and Western Avenue. Roof and tree damage occurred with this tornado. Damage estimate: $80,000 Data sources: D |
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157 | 03/25/2015 | 1712-1714 | 0.7 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 6 WSW - 5 WSW Yukon |
A short lived anticyclonic tornado developed near SW 15th Street and Gregory Road in far southwestern Oklahoma City. No damage is known to have occurred. Data sources: D |
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158 | 03/25/2015 | 1729 | 0.2 | 30 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 2 S Bethany |
A small, short-lived tornado touched down south of NW 10th Street and Rockwell Avenue in western Oklahoma City. Two outbuildings were severely damaged and three houses suffered damage to roof shingles. Damage estimate: $1,000 Data sources: D |
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159 | 03/25/2015 | 1734-1750 | 11 | 50 | EF2 | 0 | 7 | Cleveland | 4.5 WNW - 7 SE Moore |
A tornado touched down in southwest Oklahoma City near SW 119th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and caused sporadic damage until dissipating just southeast of NW 36th Avenue and Indian Hill Road in far north Norman. This small tornado was embedded within a large area of severe thunderstorm winds. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: D |
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160 | 05/06/2015 | 1941-1948 | 2 | 700 | EF3 | 0 | 12 | Oklahoma | near - 2 NW Valley Brook |
A tornado touched down near Southeast 59th Street and Eastern Avenue in Oklahoma City, and moved north along Eastern Avenue , then northwest crossing Interstate 35 near and south of Southeast 44th Street before turning west and dissipating near Southeast 44th Street and Lindsay Avenue. The most significant damage occurred just east of Interstate 35 where a motel sustained significant damage losing most walls on the second floor, and significant damage to many recreational vehicles at an adjacent RV park. While not directly related to the tornado, one woman perished while seeking shelter from the tornado in a below-ground storm cellar. Heavy rains flooded the cellar and the woman drowned. Damage estimate: Unknown Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
161 | 04/26/2016 | 1908-1912 | 4 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian/ Oklahoma | 1 NE Mustang - 5 NW Will Rogers Airport (SW59/Sara - NE of SW29/County Line Road) |
A weak tornado, embedded within a larger area of damaging thunderstorm winds, developed near SW 59th Street and Sara Road on the north side of Mustang, and moved northeast crossing into Oklahoma County just south of SW 29th Street. In Canadian County, two outbuildings suffered roof damage, but the primary damage was to trees along the path. As the tornado moved into Oklahoma County, an area of damaging thunderstorms winds south of the tornado also produced damage to trees and outbuildings along County Line Road between SW 29th and SW 44th Streets and along SW 44th Street between County Line Road and Council Road. Damage estimate: $12,000 Data sources: D |
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162 | 04/26/2016 | 1943-1953 | 10 | 150 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 4 NW Jones - 3 NNW Luther |
A tornado touched down near Westminster and Memorial Roads and moved northeast dissipating northeast of Triple XXX Road and Coffee Creek Road. One house near the end of the tornado path suffered significant roof damage. Otherwise, damage along the path was primarily to trees and power lines. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: D |
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163 | 10/09/2018 | 0724-0725 | 1 | 10 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NE OKC (~NE23/Kelley - ~NE30/Prospect) |
A small, weak tornado developed near NE 23rd Street and Kelley Avenue and moving northeast to an area just southeast of NE 36th Street and Prospect Avenue. This tornado produced damage to a power pole just south of NE 23rd Street and a snapped a few tree branches along the path. One tree snapped falling onto a carport and car along Prospect Avenue. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: D |
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164 | 10/09/2018 | 0728-0746 | 10 | 20 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | 2 SSW Midwest City - 1 SW Jones (near SE 29th and Town Center Drive - NE of SE 15th St and Midwest Blvd, then intermittent to near Jones) |
A tornado touched down near Interstate 40 between Air Depot Boulevard and Town Center Drive, then moved northeast through the Town Center Plaza shopping area in Midwest City. Although no structure damage was noted in the shopping center, several trees were snapped, and three employee cars were blown about 50 yards into bollards in front of JC Penney. Sporadic tree damage was noted as the tornado moved northeast to near Hiwassee Road and Wilshire Boulevard intermittently causing damage. The only structure damage noted along the path was to an aviation plant which suffered significant roof damage northeast of SE 15th Street and Midwest Boulevard in Midwest City, and some roof damage along Post Road. Damage estimate: $100,000 Data sources: D |
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165 | 10/09/2018 | 0731-0733 | 2.5 | 40 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | SE of Lake Draper |
This tornado touched down in far northern portions of Norman just southwest of 84th Avenue NE (Anderson Road) and SE 164th Street and moved northeast into southeastern Oklahoma City dissipating northeast of SE 149th Street and Hiwassee Road. Many trees were snapped or damaged along the path. Some homes in a neighborhood along Edwin Road just east of Anderson Road suffered damage, with one receiving significant roof damage. Damage estimate: $75,000 Data sources: D |
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166 | 10/09/2018 | 0733-0742 | 6.2 | 70 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | NE OKC - east Edmond (SE of NE 122nd and I-35 - SE of Danforth and Midwest) |
Initial damage from this tornado was observed near NE 122nd Street and Interstate 35 in northeastern Oklahoma City. The tornado moved generally northeast across east Edmond, crossing the northwestern portion of Arcadia Lake, then dissipating southeast of Danforth Road and Midwest Boulevard. Except for power pole and fencing damage at the beginning of the path, damage was limited to sporadic tree damage. Damage estimate: $30,000 Data sources: D |
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167 | 10/09/2018 | 0742-0748 | 4.6 | 20 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Choctaw - 5 NE Choctaw (just S of NE 23rd and Choctaw Road - NE of NE 63rd and Peebly). |
An outbuilding was damaged as a tornado developed just south of NE 23rd Street and Choctaw Road. The tornado then produced sporadic tree damage as it move northeast to near NE 63rd Street and Peebly Road. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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168 | 05/25/2019 | 2146-2147 | 0.8 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (NW 11th Terrace and Warren Place to NW12th and Portland) |
An area of damage consistent with a narrow QLCS tornado was found within a larger swath of damaging winds. This tornado developed near NW 11th Terrace and Warren Place and moved east along and just north of Liberty Avenue to just north of Liberty Avenue and Portland Avenue. Besides trees, damage was also observed to house roofs, porches and car ports with evidence of debris lofted. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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169 | 05/25/2019 | 2149-2150 | 0.7 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (NW20th/Blackwelder to NW24th/Western) |
A second area consistent with a tornado was observed within a larger swath of thunderstorm wind damage as a Quasi-Linear Convective System moved through. This tornado developed just west of NW 20th Street and Blackwelder Avenue and initially moved east-northeast. Just west of Douglas Avenue, the tornado turned north until reaching NW 23rd Street, then turned east-northeast dissipating near NW 24th Street and Western Avenue. A restaurant near NW 23rd Street and Douglas suffered roof damage on the east side of the building, and windows were broken in a building that had previously housed Rainbow Records at NW 23rd and Classen. Elsewhere along the path, trees and power lines were damaged as well as roof damage to one home, an damaged outbuilding, and street signs along NW 23rd. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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170 | 05/25/2019 | 2153-2153 | 0.5 | 30 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (near NE 42nd and Kelley) |
Within the larger area of thunderstorm wind damage, a small tornado developed just southeast of NE 42nd Street and Kelley Avenue and moved northeast to near NE 43rd Street and Everest Avenue. A church sign was destroyed and large trees were uprooted (although in ground that was much wetter than usual after recent heavy rainfall.) One of these trees fell onto a parked car. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: D |
Tornado Number |
Date | Time (CST) |
Length of Path (miles) |
Width of Path (yards) |
F-Scale | Killed | Injured | County | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
171 | 05/25/2019 | 2157-2157 | 0.2 | 30 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | OKC (near NE 63rd and Interstate 35) |
One final tornado embedded within a larger area of wind damage caused damage to a convenience store at NE 63rd Street and Kelley Avenue, or just southeast of the Interstate 35/Interstate 44 interchange. Damage estimate: $2,000 Data sources: D |
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172 | 10/13/2021 | 0359-0408 | 6 | 150 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | West Mustang (southeast of SH-152 and Frisco Road) - Southwest Oklahoma City (southwest of SW 29th Street and County Line Road) |
A tornado from a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) touched down on the west edge of Mustang, just south of State Highway 152 near Frisco Road, and moved generally northeast affecting portions of Mustang and southwest Oklahoma City . The most significant structure damage was southeast of SW 44th Street and Czech Hall Road where a home received roof damage, and a pickup truck parked on the street was rolled over. A few other homes along the path also received damage to shingles, otherwise damage was generally confined to trees, including some tree trunks snapped. The tornado dissipated southwest of SW 29th Street and County Line Road in southwest Oklahoma City. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: D |
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173 | 10/13/2021 | 0415-0419 | 3 | 75 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (southeast of NW 10th Street and May Ave - southeast of NE 23rd Street and Interstate 235). |
A second tornado from a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) developed just east of the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds near General Pershing Boulevard just east of May Avenue. The tornado moved northeast and east affecting the Youngs -Englewood, Classen-Ten-Penn, Plaza, Mesta Park and Heritage Hills districts of Oklahoma City. Damage was generally confined to tree damage, including some snapped tree trunks. There was no significant structure damage observed. The tornado dissipated just southeast of NE 23rd Street and Interstate 235. Damage estimate: $20,000 Data sources: D |
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174 | 10/13/2021 | 0422-0428 | 4 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Forest Park (near NE 36th Street and Bryant Ave) - Northeast Oklahoma City (northwest of NE 63rd Street and Midwest Boulevard) |
A third tornado from a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) storm system that affected the Oklahoma City area developed over Forest Park near Northeast 36th Street and Bryant Avenue, and moved northeast into northeast Oklahoma City dissipating northwest of Northeast 63rd Street and Midwest Boulevard. The damage observed was generally broken tree branches and limbs. Damage estimate: $1,000 Data sources: D |
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175 | 10/26/2021 | 2336-2345 | 7 | 50 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | Northeast Norman (0.5 NW of 24th Ave NE and Rock Creek Road) - Southeast Oklahoma City (0.5 NW of SE 164th Street and Anderson Road) |
A tornado from a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) storm developed in northeast Norman about a half mile northwest of 24 th Avenue NE and Rock Creek Road, and moved generally northeast into southwest Oklahoma City dissipating northwest of SE 164 th Street and Anderson Road. The damage was most intense from a half mile south to about a half mile east of the intersection of 36 th Avenue NE and Franklin Road where the tornado produced roof damage to two barns, and damaged the soffit to a carport at a home. Otherwise, the tornado produced damage primarily to trees along the path. Damage estimate: $25,000 Data sources: D |
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176 | 04/23/2022 | 1815-1816 | 0.3 | 50 | EF? | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 4 SSW Mustang |
A tornado was observed from the weather observer at Will Rogers World Airport southwest from the airport. This tornado was estimated to be in an inaccessible area near the Canadian River to the south-southwest of Mustang based on a brief Tornado Vortex Signature from the Will Rogers TDWR radar. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D |
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177 | 10/24/2022 | 0727-0733 | 3 | 50 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | 6.5 W - 4 W Mustang |
The tornado initially broke some tree branches along OK State Highway 152 between Gregory Road and Banner Road, then moved east-northeast producing more tree damage and roof damage on the north side of a residence on Richland Road north of OK State Highway 152. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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178 | 02/26/2023 | 2057-2107 | 11 | 200 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Grady/ Canadian | 3 W Tuttle - far southwest OKC - 4 WNW Mustang |
A tornado touched down south of County Road 1190 to the west of Tuttle, and moved northeast crossing the Canadian River into Canadian County. In Grady County, the tornado damaged trees and street signs. After the tornado then moved into Canadian County to the southwest of Mustang, and continued to the north-northeast through portions of far southwestern Oklahoma City before dissipating west-northwest of Mustang. A number of homes and buildings were damaged, especially from SW 104th Street to SW 75th Street near Cimarron Road. The tornado dissipated near SW 44th Street and Richland Road. Damage estimate: $250,000 Data sources: D |
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179 | 02/26/2023 | 2112-2118 | 5 | 500 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | western Oklahoma City (4 ENE Mustang - 2 ESE Bethany) |
This tornado developed northwest of SW 44th Street and Council Road and just north of Western Heights High School. The tornado moved northeast, crossing Interstate 40 just east of Rockwell Avenue, and dissipated near NW 23rd Street between MacArthur Boulevard and Ann Arbor Avenue. One building near SW 36th and Council had one exterior wall blown outward, and there was tree and power pole damage at various spots along the tornado path. Damage estimate: $100,000 Data sources: D |
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180 | 02/26/2023 | 2114-2138 | 27 | 900 | EF2 | 0 | 12 | McClain/ Cleveland | 2 NE Cole - Goldsby - Norman (south and east) - 2 NE Stella |
This tornado developed just west of Pennsylvania Avenue about 1/2 mile south of 290th Street where it took the roof off an outbuilding. The tornado moved east-northeast damaging a mobile home along 290th Street, and then snapped a couple of power poles as moved into the city limits of Goldsby just east of SW 24th Avenue. The tornado caused roof and fence damage in a neighborhood near NW 12th Avenue and Center Road in Goldsby before moving across the Goldsby Airport damaging hangars. The tornado then crossed the Canadian River into Cleveland County. The tornado that moved through Goldsby in McClain County crossed the Canadian River and into Cleveland County moving swiftly through southern and eastern portions of Norman. The tornado passed less than one mile southeast of the National Weather Center, and damaged numerous homes in neighborhoods near 12th Avenue SE and Cedar Lane Road, and northeast of 24th Avenue SE and Imhoff Road as well as damaging apartments and businesses near the intersection of State Highway 9 and US Highway 77. EF2 damage was noted at several apartment buildings, homes and businesses in these areas. Moving northeast, the tornado moved into less areas with less density of homes and people, but still affected neighborhoods near 36th Avenue SE and Lindsay Street, 48th Avenue SE and Lindsey, and 60th Avenue SE and Alameda Street. The tornado continued northeast as it damaged trees, power lines and a few homes before it dissipated in far southeast Oklahoma City near SE 125th Street and Dobbs Road. The tornado moved at over 60 mph. Damage estimate: $250,000 Data sources: D |
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181 | 02/26/2023 | 2142-2148 | 6 | 440 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland/ Pottawatomie | 2 SSE Newalla - 2 NNW Dale |
A tornado developed just inside Cleveland County southwest of the intersection of Southeast 89th Street and Pottawatomie Road. A house and outbuilding suffered roof damage. The tornado moved east one-quarter of a mile before crossing Pottawatomie Road and moving into Pottawatomie County. This tornado moved out of Cleveland County crossing Pottawatomie Road just southeast of 89th Street and Memorial Road. The tornado moved east-northeast producing tree damage, roof damage to a home and flipping an RV as it approached U.S. Interstate Highway I-40. The tornado continued to produce tree and power pole damage moving east and northeast before dissipating after crossing OK State Highway 270 just north of Garretts Lake Road. Damage estimate: $105,000 Data sources: D |
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182 | 04/19/2023 | 1803-1808 | 3 | 250 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland/ Oklahoma | 3 SSW - 1 WSW Tinker AFB |
The first tornado of the April 19, 2023 tornado outbreak developed southeast of SE 89th Street and Sooner Road in Cleveland County where trees and a shed were damaged before it crossed into Oklahoma County. In Oklahoma County the tornado moved north-northeast with the east edge of the tornado brushing Air Depot Boulevard before turning northwest and dissipating north of SE 59th Street between Sooner Road and Air Depot Boulevard. Roof damage occurred at an industrial building along Air Depot Boulevard, and a number of storage pods there were blown around by the tornado. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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183 | 04/26/2024 | 0349-0350 | 0.5 | 30 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland | 2 ESE Stella |
A tornado developed from a QLCS (Quasi-Linear Convective System) in northeast Cleveland County to the east-southeast of Stella. One mobile home had roof damage and trees were damaged along the path. Damage estimate: $10,000 Data sources: D |
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184 | 04/26/2024 | 0352-0355 | 2.4 | 40 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Pottawatomie | 4 ENE Stella - 3 SE Newalla |
Two nearly-simultaneous tornadoes occurred in northwestern Pottawatomie County from a QLCS storm. The first one developed just east of the Cleveland-Pottawatomie County line along Lake Road and moved northeast and then north dissipating or merging with a second tornado near Fishmarket Road and Oakridge Lane. Two barns had siding damage, but otherwise damage was primarily to trees along the path. Damage estimate: $5,000 Data sources: D |
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185 | 04/26/2024 | 0353-0356 | 1.9 | 75 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Cleveland/ Pottawatomie | 4 SSE - 3 SE Newalla |
Two nearly-simultaneous tornadoes occurred in northwestern Pottawatomie County from a QLCS storm. The second tornado developed just inside Cleveland County before moving quickly into Pottawatomie County. Tree damage was observed at the county line as the tornado moved into Pottawatomie County, but the grove of trees in Cleveland County was not accessible to the survey team. Damage estimate: $1,000 Data sources: D |
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186 | 04/27/2024 | 2045-2056 | 9 | 150 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City (2 E Tinker AFB; south of SE 44th/Post) - 1 E Choctaw |
A widespread, long-duration and historic severe weather and tornado outbreak occurred from the late morning through late evening on April 27th. In all, 34 tornadoes affected portions of the WFO Norman Forecast Area, the third most in a single day during the period of reliable record. This included six significant (EF-2+) tornadoes and one violent (EF-4) tornado that struck Marietta (Love County). The initial damage was noted along Berryman Road (west of Post Road) south of Southeast 44th Street in southeast Oklahoma City. The tornado then moved northeast through southeast Midwest City and into Choctaw dissipating just northeast of US-62 (Northeast 23rd Street) and Indian Meridian Road. A number of houses and a church had roof damage along the path and a number of trees were downed. Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: D |
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187 | 05/06/2024 | 2239-2242 | 2.2 | 75 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SW OKC (near SW 89th St E of Penn - S of SE 66th Street and Santa Fe Avenue) |
This tornado developed just north of the Oklahoma-Cleveland County line east of Indiana Avenue. The tornado moved northeast through southern Oklahoma City, crossing near the U.S. Interstate Highway I-240 and Walker Avenue interchange and then dissipating south of Southeast 66th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. A few apartment buildings received roof damage near Southwest 84th Avenue and Douglas Avenue, as well as at two apartment complexes north of U.S. Interstate Highway I-240 near Santa Fe Avenue. Businesses were damaged along Western Avenue just south of Lightning Creek Park and near U.S. Interstate Highway I-240 and Walker Avenue and tree damage occurred throughout the path . This storm also produced wind damage both southwest and northeast of this tornado path, but evidence suggests that these other areas of damage were from thunderstorm winds, primarily with the Rear Flank Downdraft of the storm. Damage estimate: $300,000 Data sources: D |
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188 | 05/06/2024 | 2246-2247 | 1.1 | 30 | EF1 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SE OKC (NW of SE 40th St and Bryant Ave) - Del City (near SE 24th St and Glenn Ave) |
The thunderstorms that produced one tornado in south Oklahoma City continued to produce wind damage as it moved northeast. However evidence suggests that it produced one additional brief tornado from near Highland Park Drive and Southeast 38th Street just southeast of Trosper Park in Oklahoma City to near Glenn Avenue and Southeast 24th Street in Del City. The most significant damage was a mobile home that was pushed off the foundation southeast of Trosper Park, otherwise damage was light. Damage estimate: $50,000 Data sources: D |
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189 | 05/19/2024 | 2032-2048 | 3.5 | 300 | EF2 | 0 | 0 | Canadian | SW OKC (near SW15th/Banner Road to NE of NW10th/Cimarron Road) |
Significant severe weather occurred across portions of western into central Oklahoma from the late afternoon of May 19th through the early morning of May 20th. Aloft, a strong and compact upper wave moved across portions of Kansas during the afternoon. While most severe weather outcomes were expected further north of the WFO Norman area, a few supercell thunderstorms developed along a trailing dryline near the 100th meridian. This included a powerful supercell thunderstorm that moved from Hemphill County, Texas (WFO Amarillo, Texas) into portions of Roger Mills, Custer, Washita, Blaine, Canadian & Oklahoma counties during the afternoon into late evening hours. This thunderstorm was responsible for seventeen (17) tornadoes, including significant tornadoes west of Custer City and near Yukon, Oklahoma. Significant damaging wind gusts/damage and large to very large hail also occurred with this thunderstorm. Additional hail-producing supercells developed into portions of northwestern Oklahoma during the evening, with one becoming briefly tornadic during the late evening across Woods County, Oklahoma. A television storm chaser observed this tornado develop northwest of County Road E0930 and County Road N2205 moving southeast crossing County Road E0930. Initially the tornado was a narrow tornado, then as it turned east-northeast quickly become a large multiple-vortex tornado as observed visually and in the damage pattern. The total damage width was about 2.7 miles along County Road N2240, including both damaging inflow winds north of the tornado and very strong damaging Rear Flank Downdraft (RFD) winds south of the tornado, but the tornado width itself was about one mile wide based on the damage survey and preliminary mobile radar data from Texas Tech University. The tornado narrowed as it approached U.S. Highway 183 near County Road E0920 and dissipated soon afterwards. Although tree and power pole damage was observed along the entire path, the most significant structure damage occurred along County Road E020 from near County Road N2240 to just east of U.S. Highway 183. At least two outbuildings were destroyed and two others damaged and one home had roof damage. As the tornado approached County Road N2260, a trailer and a rail car used for storage were blown a significant distance to the west, despite being on the southern periphery of the damage area, giving further evidence of the multiple-vortex tornado. Preliminary data from a Ka-band mobile research radar from Texas Tech University showed a peak instantaneous velocity of 87.9 m/s (197 mph) at about 30 meters AGL when the tornado was approximately 6 miles west-northwest of Custer City. This was an instantaneous velocity measurement which is not directly compatible with the 3-second average wind velocity used by the EF-scale to determine intensity, but does provide indirect evidence that the tornado was likely stronger locally than the EF2 rating based on the damage survey. Damage estimate: $250,000 Data sources: D |
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190 | 05/19/2024 | 2110-2110 | 0.1 | 10 | EF0 | 0 | 0 | Oklahoma | SW OKC (near SW 59th and I-44) |
A chaser from an Oklahoma City television station observed a brief tornado just east of U.S. Interstate Highway I-44 in southwest Oklahoma City. No damage was reported or could be found by storm survey teams. The tornado was estimated to be near or just northeast of U.S. Interstate Highway I-44 and SW 59th Street. Although damage was not found, the rotation was visually observed to be weak, therefore an EF0 rating was assigned. Damage estimate: None Data sources: D |
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Figure 1. Map of Central Oklahoma Showing the Immediate Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Area |
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Figure 2. Annual Distribution of Tornadoes in the Immediate OKC Area by Month, 1890-Present. |
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Figure 3. Diurnal distribution of tornadoes in the immediate Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area by CST hour, 1890-Present. Data based on initial tornado touchdown times, with hour HH defined as the period HH-30 to HH+29. Data from 12 am CST (1 am CDT) to 6 am CST (7 am CDT) are repeated in order to show the trend across the 12 am CST (midnight) (1 am CDT) period. |
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Figure 4. Tornado frequency in the immediate Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area by decade, 1890-Present. |
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Figure 5. Tracks of all recorded tornadoes occurring wholly or partly within the immediate Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, 1890-Present County boundaries and major highways are shown. The immediate Oklahoma City area, and other cities included in this study are outlined. Tornado paths shown that are completely outside the immediate Oklahoma City area are not included in the table or statistics for the OKC area tornadoes. |
Fujita Scale (or F Scale) of tornado damage intensity. The F Scale was developed based on damage intensity and not wind speed; wind speed ranges given are estimated, based on the extent of observed damage.
F Scale | Character | Estimated winds | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Zero (F0) | Weak | 40-72 mph | Light Damage. Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees, shallow-rooted trees uprooted, sign boards damaged. |
One (F1) | Weak | 73-112 mph | Moderate damage. Roof surfaces peeled off; mobile homes pushed foundations or overturned; moving autos pushed off road. |
Two (F2) | Strong | 113-157 mph | Considerable damage. Roofs torn from frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars pushed over; large trees snapped or uprooted; light objects become projectiles. |
Three (F3) | Strong | 158-206 mph | Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn from well- constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forested area uprooted; heavy cars lifted and thrown. |
Four (F4) | Violent | 207-260 mph | Devastating damage. Well- constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundation blown some distance; cars thrown; large missiles generated. |
Five (F5) | Violent | 260-318 mph | Incredible damage. Strong frame houses lifted off foundations, carried considerable distances, and disintegrated; auto-sized missiles airborne for several hundred feet or more; trees debarked. |
The Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale, which became operational on February 1, 2007, is used to assign a tornado a 'rating' based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. When tornado-related damage is surveyed, it is compared to a list of Damage Indicators (DIs) and Degrees of Damage (DoD) which help estimate better the range of wind speeds the tornado likely produced. From that, a rating (from EF0 to EF5) is assigned.
The EF Scale was revised from the original Fujita Scale to reflect better examinations of tornado damage surveys so as to align wind speeds more closely with associated storm damage. The new scale has to do with how most structures are designed.
EF SCALE | |
EF Rating | 3 Second Gust (mph) |
---|---|
0 | 65-85 |
1 | 86-110 |
2 | 111-135 |
3 | 136-165 |
4 | 166-200 |
5 | Over 200 |
*** IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT EF SCALE WINDS: The EF scale still is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage. Its uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed below. These estimates vary with height and exposure. Important: The 3 second gust is not the same wind as in standard surface observations. Standard measurements are taken by weather stations in open exposures, using a directly measured, "one minute mile" speed.
The NWS is the only federal agency with authority to provide 'official' tornado EF Scale ratings. The goal is assign an EF Scale category based on the highest wind speed that occurred within the damage path. First, trained NWS personnel will identify the appropriate damage indicator (DI) [see list below] from more than one of the 28 used in rating the damage. The construction or description of a building should match the DI being considered, and the observed damage should match one of the 8 degrees of damage (DOD) used by the scale. The tornado evaluator will then make a judgment within the range of upper and lower bound wind speeds, as to whether the wind speed to cause the damage is higher or lower than the expected value for the particular DOD. This is done for several structures not just one, before a final EF rating is determined.
NUMBER (Details Linked) |
DAMAGE INDICATOR | ABBREVIATION |
1 | Small barns, farm outbuildings | SBO |
2 | One- or two-family residences | FR12 |
3 | Single-wide mobile home (MHSW) | MHSW |
4 | Double-wide mobile home | MHDW |
5 | Apt, condo, townhouse (3 stories or less) | ACT |
6 | Motel | M |
7 | Masonry apt. or motel | MAM |
8 | Small retail bldg. (fast food) | SRB |
9 | Small professional (doctor office, branch bank) | SPB |
10 | Strip mall | SM |
11 | Large shopping mall | LSM |
12 | Large, isolated ("big box") retail bldg. | LIRB |
13 | Automobile showroom | ASR |
14 | Automotive service building | ASB |
15 | School - 1-story elementary (interior or exterior halls) | ES |
16 | School - jr. or sr. high school | JHSH |
17 | Low-rise (1-4 story) bldg. | LRB |
18 | Mid-rise (5-20 story) bldg. | MRB |
19 | High-rise (over 20 stories) | HRB |
20 | Institutional bldg. (hospital, govt. or university) | IB |
21 | Metal building system | MBS |
22 | Service station canopy | SSC |
23 | Warehouse (tilt-up walls or heavy timber) | WHB |
24 | Transmission line tower | TLT |
25 | Free-standing tower | FST |
26 | Free standing pole (light, flag, luminary) | FSP |
27 | Tree - hardwood | TH |
28 | Tree - softwood | TS |