Tornadoes in Oklahoma

Clockwise from top:

* An EF5 tornado in Moore on May 20, 2013
* A wedge tornado near Binger
* A rope tornado near Cordell
* Radar scan of a powerful EF1 tornado near Hollister in April 2024
* An F4 tornado that hit Union City
* An EF2 tornado being observed by a Doppler On Wheels truck near Duke

Tornadoes statewide| >4,100[1]
Location of max. windspeeds| 321 mph (517 km/h)

Bridge Creek, Oklahoma F5 tornado
on May 3, 1999
Fatalities| >1,707
Injuries| >14,000
Deadliest single tornado| 116 deaths[2]

Woodward, Oklahoma F5 tornado
on April 9, 1947
Most active year| 2024 (152 tornadoes)[3]

Several destructive tornadoes have hit the state of Oklahoma since 1882, the year with the first recorded tornado within state boundaries. Oklahoma, located in Tornado Alley, experiences around 68 tornadoes annually, with each EF3+ tornado killing an average of 2.9 people. 497 tornadoes have been classified as "intense" in Oklahoma, being rated F3+ on the Fujita Scale[note 1] or EF3+ on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Oklahoma has seen thirteen F5 or EF5 tornadoes since 1905, the most recent hitting Moore in May 2013. The deadliest sliced through the Oklahoma panhandle in April 1947, hitting Woodward and killing at least 182 people.

Oklahoma was struck by several significant tornadoes prior to 1950, including an F5 tornado that hit Snyder and a large tornado that passed over Woodward and surrounding communities. The first tornado warning ever issued in the United States was sent out for the Tinker Air Force Base area on March 25, 1948, shortly before an F3 tornado hit the base. The 1950s were particularly devastating for Oklahoma, with 546 tornadoes killing a total of 154 people.[6] A large F5-rated tornado hit Blackwell in the early hours of May 26, 1955, and an F4 tornado killed seven people west of Stonewall in May 1959. Tornadoes in the 1960s were less damaging, with a total of 581 tornadoes touching down within state boundaries, killing 57 people. An F5 tornado moved through Prague and Sapulpa in May 1960, killing five people along a 71.8 mi (115.6 km) track. An F3 tornado hit downtown Oklahoma City five days earlier, inflicting $2.5 million (1960 USD)[7] in damages to the city and injuring 57 people.[6]

The 1970s, like the 1950s, was a particularly deadly decade for tornadoes in Oklahoma, with 433 tornadoes killing a combined total of 110 people.[6] The deadliest, rated F4, hit Wichita Falls, Texas before moving into Jefferson County on April 10, 1979. 42 people were killed by the tornado and a further 1,740 were injured. The majority of casualties took place along the tornado's track through Texas. Only 25 people were killed by tornadoes through the 1980s, eight of which were the result of an F3 tornado that moved through Morris on April 26, 1984. The strongest tornado was an F5 that moved through rural Choctaw and McCurtain counties, injuring 29.[6]

The 1990s were a significant decade for severe weather in Oklahoma, with over 55 people being killed by a total of 688 tornadoes.[6] The deadliest and most powerful devastated Bridge Creek, Moore and surrounding suburbs of Oklahoma City on May 3, 1999, where 41 people were killed. The tornado, which received an F5 rating, had the highest measured windspeeds ever recorded on Earth, at 321 miles per hour (517 km/h). The tornado inflicted a total of $1 billion (1999 USD)[8] in damage to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, making it the second-costliest in Oklahoma history.[9] A large F4 tornado killed two people in Cimarron City and Mulhall on the same day; it was the largest tornado ever measured quantitatively.[10]

The 2000s were less significant, with 483 tornadoes killing a total of 32 people.[6] A large F4 tornado moved through southwestern Oklahoma City in May 2003, injuring 134 people. The first violent tornado to be rated on the Enhanced Fujita scale in Oklahoma hit the town of Picher on May 10, 2008, killing 21 people and inflicting an estimated $15,000,000 (2008 USD)[11] in damages to structures and farms along a 75.5 mi (121.5 km) spanning from Craig County in Oklahoma to Barry County in Missouri. The 2010s would mark a broad increase in the number of tornadoes that touched down annually, jumping from 103 in 2010 to 149 in 2019; the latter was the second-worst year for tornadoes in Oklahoma history, only behind 2024, which saw 152 tornadoes. The deadliest tornado of the decade would again hit Moore on May 20, 2013, killing 24 people and receiving a rating of EF5, making it the most recent tornado worldwide to top the Enhanced Fujita Scale as of July 2025. The tornado was the costliest in Oklahoma history and the third costliest in US history, leaving an estimated $2 billion (2013 USD) worth of damages in its wake.[12]

Tornadoes in Oklahoma have broken numerous national and worldwide records. Both the widest and most powerful tornadoes ever recorded occurred in Oklahoma. Two of the top ten costliest tornadoes in history have happened in Oklahoma and the state also has the most violent tornadoes out of any other state.[13] Tornadoes in Oklahoma have also been extensively featured in media; both 1996's Twister and 2024's Twisters take place primarily in Oklahoma.[14][15] Into the Storm and 13 Minutes, released in 2014 and 2021 respectively, are both set in fictional Oklahoman towns that were hit by tornadoes.[16]

## Climatology

[edit]

Further information: Tornado Alley

Oklahoma is located in Tornado Alley, an expanse of land stretching from South Dakota to Texas. Tornadoes are more frequent in Tornado Alley than anywhere else in the world, and Oklahoma sees the second-highest number of tornadoes out of any state.[17] In the alley, warm and humid air from the equator meets cold, dry air from Canada and produced by the Rocky Mountains. This creates an ideal environment for tornadoes to form within supercellular thunderstorms.[18]

Worst tornado years for Oklahoma[6] Year  | Max F/EF# | Tornadoes  | Deaths

|
|
|

2024 | EF4  | 152  | 8[19]
2019 | EF3  | 149  | 4[20]
1999 | F5  | 145  | 42[21]
2011 | EF5  | 119  | 14[22]
2015 | EF3  | 111  | 2[23]
1957 | F4  | 107  | 22[24]

## Deadliest tornadoes

[edit]

Ten deadliest Oklahoma tornadoes[25] Date  | F/EF# | Deaths  | Injuries  | Hardest-hit community

|
|
|
|

April 9, 1947 | F5  | 116  | 782  | Woodward
The deadliest tornado to strike within the borders of the state of Oklahoma occurred on April 9, 1947 in the city of Woodward. The Woodward tornadic supercell thunderstorm began in the Texas Panhandle during the afternoon of April 9, 1947, and produced at least six tornadoes along a 220 mi (350 km) path that stretched from White Deer, Texas to St. Leo, Kansas. At least 116 lives were lost in Oklahoma and another 68 deaths were recorded in Texas as a direct result of the tornado.[25]
May 10, 1905 | F5  | 97  | 58  | Snyder
This tornado developed about 2 mi (3.2 km) southeast of the Frances school house in Greer County (now Jackson County). Homes were swept away about 14 mi (23 km) southeast of Altus. From its inception, this tornado moved east-northeast crossing the North Fork of the Red River near the mouth of Otter Creek. The tornado followed very close to Otter Creek curving to the northeast through what is now northern Tillman County (but was still part of Kiowa County at the time). Three people were killed about 6 mi (9.7 km) southwest of Snyder. As the tornado continued northeast it struck the city of Snyder at around 8:45 pm CST.[25]

The tornado struck Snyder beginning in the southwest corner of town and destroyed or damaged homes and other buildings west of Main Street and from 6th Street northward through the city. No buildings north of the railroad were left standing. After moving through Snyder, the tornado continued to the northeast, destroying a couple of small residences within two miles of the town site, then lifted about 3 mi (4.8 km) northeast of Snyder.[25]

May 2, 1920  | F4  | 71  | 100  | Peggs
This violent tornado began 2 miles southwest of Peggs, moved northeast, and cut a 3 mi (4.8 km)-long, 0.5 mi (0.80 km)-wide swath of devastation that included the entire town of 250 people. Around 8:30 pm CST, a loud roar was heard by residents just before the tornado hit Peggs at 8:35 pm CST. The town was almost completely destroyed with only 7 buildings remaining partially intact. Only a small, wood house, used as the city jail and located next to a smashed concrete store, was still standing. A cement block schoolhouse that was located west of Peggs had only partly standing walls after the tornado hit it. The tornado traveled at least as far as the Illinois River to the east of Peggs where a house was demolished. Wheat fields were scoured and trees were carried away by the storm, and scores of livestock were killed or injured. Eleven members of one family were killed by the tornado, and in one smashed house a total of 20 mud-covered bodies were recovered. A total of 71 persons were killed and another 100 were injured by the storm. Nearly 30% of the town's population was killed and another 40% were injured.[25]
April 12, 1945  | F5  | 69  | 353  | Antlers
This violent tornado was part of an outbreak of devastating severe weather and flooding that occurred in Oklahoma on April 12–15, 1945, and was one of the 5 violent twisters that hit the state on April 12. The tornado touched down at 5:30 pm CST in about 5 miles southwest of Antlers near the Hall Community in Pushmataha County. The tornado moved to the northeast and struck Antlers, passing from the southwest corner of the town through the northeast portion. It produced a damage swath a half mile wide through both business and residential areas, and devastated about a third of the town. Some areas were swept completely clean of all debris. The tornado then continued for another 20 mi (32 km)+, striking the One Creek area before dissipating near Nashoba, Oklahoma.[25]

The tornado killed 69 persons and injured 353 more people. A total of 379 homes and 254 buildings were destroyed, and 200 more homes and buildings were damaged. Approximately 1500 people were made homeless by the tornado. Damage estimates were at $1.5 million (1945 USD).[25]

April 27, 1942  | F4  | 52  | 350  | Pryor Creek
This tornado touched down 5 mi (8.0 km) south of Claremore at about 3:15 pm CST, and moved storm east-northeast through rural parts of Rogers and Mayes Counties before taking aim on the town of Pryor Creek. At 3:45 pm CST, the tornado entered Pryor Creek and traveled directly through the main portion of the town, including the principal business section. Its violent winds demolished dozens of frame buildings and several brick buildings, including the First Baptist Church. After leaving Pryor Creek, the tornado caused damage to the northeast of the town, completely wrecking everything in its path before it lifted about 3 mi (4.8 km) northeast of Pryor Creek. The damage swath was a quarter of a mile in width, and about a third of Pryor Creek was destroyed by the tornado.[25]

A total of 49 people were killed in Pryor, with another 3 persons killed to the west-southwest of the town. A total of 350 people were injured with 192 of those being hospitalized. Damages totaled $2.3 million (1942 USD) and 500 buildings were damaged or destroyed.[25]

May 3, 1999 | F5  | 36  | 583  | Bridge Creek, Newcastle, Moore, Del City, Midwest City
This violent, long-lived tornado was the most infamous of nearly 60 tornadoes that struck central Oklahoma during an unprecedented outbreak on the afternoon and evening of May 3, 1999. The tornado was the ninth of fourteen tornadoes produced by a supercell thunderstorm during the tornado outbreak. It formed around 5:26 pm CST about 2 mi (3.2 km) south-southwest of Amber, and grew rapidly as it headed northeast, paralleling Interstate 44. It moved across Bridge Creek and rural parts of northwest Newcastle, causing continuous F4 and sporadic F5 damage. The tornado was estimated to be a mile in diameter in this area.[25]

Total losses from this tornado include 36 direct fatalities (12 in Bridge Creek, 1 in Newcastle, 9 in southern/southeastern 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, 1,800 homes destroyed, and 2,500 homes damaged. The tornado was also the 118th tornado to strike the Oklahoma City area since 1890. Total damage was estimated at $1 billion (1999 USD).[25]

June 12, 1942  | F4  | 35  | 100  | Oklahoma City metropolitan area
This was the deadliest tornado to strike the Oklahoma City area until the May 3, 1999 F5 tornado. The funnel cut a twisting, erratic path through the southwest part of Oklahoma City. Movement was generally to the northeast, but it often "cut to the east or west". Thirty-five people were killed and 100 persons injured, with 29 people being hospitalized; an estimated total of 110 families were affected by the tornado. A total of 73 homes were destroyed and another 31 damaged, and many outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous automobiles and other vehicles were destroyed or damaged. Most of the damage occurred in the 27–29th Street areas between Portland and Goff Avenues. Damage estimates for this tornado were $500,000 (1942 USD).[25]
April 25, 1893  | F4  | 31  | 100  | Moore
This massive tornado, reportedly over 1.25 mi (2.01 km) miles in width at one point, moved northeast along a 15 mi (24 km) path from northwest of Newcastle through rural areas between Norman and Moore (through what is now extreme northern Norman and extreme southern Moore), and swept away at least 30 homes. Thirty-three people were killed with 11 people dying in one home, 6 in a second home and 4 in a third home. This tornado was one of at least 5 strong to violent tornadoes in central Oklahoma on this day. This was the second tornado to affect areas near Norman this day with the first one passing just south and east of Norman.[25]
May 20, 2013 | EF5  | 24  | 212  | Moore
This violent tornado was first observed developing at 1:56 pm CST in McClain County around 1.5 mi (2.4 km) south of State Highway 37 in northwest Newcastle to the east of Rockwell Avenue. EF4 damage was observed soon after the tornado crossed State Highway 37. The tornado continued to expand in size as it approached the Canadian River and moved into Cleveland County.[25]

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 1.5 mi (2.4 km) mile east. Moving east, the tornado destroyed much of Briarwood Elementary School, where the National Weather Service storm survey team rated damage as EF5. Despite the destruction of this elementary school during school hours, no fatalities occurred at the school. 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 School, most occurring just south of the school.[25]

Overall, over 300 homes experienced EF to EF5 damage along the tornado path. Damages with this storm were estimated at $2 billion (2013 USD), and the tornado killed a total of 24 people.[25]

November 19, 1930  | F4  | 23  | 150  | Bethany
This rare tornado is one of only three violent tornadoes to have been documented to have occurred during the month of November in Oklahoma since 1900. Between 9:30 am and 9:58 am CST, it moved north-northeast from 3 mi (4.8 km) west of the Oklahoma City limits and 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 mi (5.6 km) northeast 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, and 5 students and a teacher were killed. A total of 23 people were killed and another 150 injured, with 77 being seriously injured. Damage estimates were listed at $500,000 (1930 USD).[25]

## Costliest tornadoes

[edit]

Ten costliest Oklahoma tornadoes[26] Date  | F/EF# | Damages (in United States dollars)  | Hardest-hit community

|
|
|

May 20, 2013  | EF5  | $2 billion (2013 USD)  | Moore
May 3, 1999  | F5  | $1 billion (1999 USD)  | Moore
May 8, 2003  | F4  | $370 million (2003 USD)  | Moore
May 11, 1982  | F3  | $200 million (1982 USD)  | Altus
May 7, 1995  | F3  | $100+ million (1995 USD)  | Ardmore
October 9, 2001  | F3  | $100 million (2001 USD)  | Cordell
April 19, 1981  | F3  | $75+ million (1981 USD)  | Tulsa
May 3, 1999  | F3  | $60 million (1999 USD)  | Stroud
April 24, 1993  | F4  | $50+ million (1993 USD)  | Catoosa
March 15, 1982  | F2  | $30–40 million (1982 USD)  | Bartlesville

## Intense tornadoes

[edit]

### Pre–1925

[edit]

FU  | F0  | F1  | F2  | F3  | F4  | F5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
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1  | 0  | 3  | 128  | 66  | 40  | 1  | 239
Deaths: 583  | Injuries: >2,475

107 intense tornadoes hit Oklahoma prior to the year 1925. The majority of these tornadoes were deadly, with each tornado killing an average of 3.6 people. Tornadoes in this time-frame hit several populated places including Moore,[27] Stillwater and Sulphur.[28][29] The strongest tornado touched down on May 10, 1905, striking the community of Snyder and killing 97 people.[30] The tornado was the first to receive a rating of F5 on the Fujita Scale in Oklahoma's history.[30]

† Deadliest in Oklahoma history at time of event

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Oklahoma

Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, pre–1925[31][32] F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
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F3  | May 8, 1882  | 3  | 13  | Near Cherokee | Alfalfa | Unknown
F3  | 21†  | 42  | McAlester | Pittsburg | 6.1 mi (9.8 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | December 16, 1887  | 6  | 50  | N of Durant | Johnston, Bryan | 25.7 mi (41.4 km)  | Unknown
F3  | June 8, 1889  | 0  | 3  | E of Elgin | Osage | 12.8 mi (20.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | May 12, 1892  | 5  | 25  | NE of Olustee | Jackson | 15.4 mi (24.8 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F3  | 2  | 3  | NE of Kingfisher | Kingfisher | 12.3 mi (19.8 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F4  | April 25, 1893  | 4  | 25  | S of Stillwater | Logan, Payne | 23.2 mi (37.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 31†  | 100  | Moore | Cleveland | 14.7 mi (23.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | 1  | 11  | SW of Marietta | Love | 15 mi (24 km)‡  | 150 yd (140 m)
F4  | April 28, 1893  | 6  | 20  | S of Ponca City | Kay | 15.4 mi (24.8 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | April 26, 1894  | 3  | 37  | E of Oilton | Creek, Pawnee | 22 mi (35 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | 8  | 95  | Morris | Okmulgee | 22 mi (35 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
F4  | April 29, 1894  | 1  | 60  | N of Westport | Creek, Pawnee | 27 mi (43 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | October 31, 1894  | 0  | 0  | Rural Woodward County | Woodward | 20 mi (32 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | April 8, 1896  | 0  | 3  | E of Norman | Cleveland | Unknown  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 12, 1896  | 0  | 5  | S of Stillwater | Logan, Payne | 18.4 mi (29.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 20, 1896 | 0  | 0  | E of Newkirk | Kay | 15.6 mi (25.1 km)‡  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 27, 1896 | 0  | 1  | Marshall | Kingfisher, Logan, Garfield | 10.5 mi (16.9 km)  | Unknown
F3  | October 28, 1896  | 3  | 0  | W of Carney | Lincoln | 8.3 mi (13.4 km)  | 70 yd (64 m)
F3  | 2  | 2  | E of McAlester | Pittsburg | 9.7 mi (15.6 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F4  | March 30, 1897  | 14  | 40  | Chandler | Lincoln | 17.7 mi (28.5 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | June 2, 1897  | 2  | 8  | S of Chelsea | Rogers | 10 mi (16 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | May 15, 1903  | 0  | 10  | Carnegie | Kiowa, Caddo | 10.6 mi (17.1 km)  | Unknown
F3  | May 18, 1903  | 0  | 10  | W of Oklahoma City | Canadian, Oklahoma, Logan | 47.2 mi (76.0 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | May 23, 1903  | 3  | 10  | NW of Burns Flat | Washita | 15.5 mi (24.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 2  | 40  | Camargo | Roger Mills, Dewey, Woodward, Major | 65.3 mi (105.1 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | 2  | 20  | Carmen | Woods, Alfalfa | 10 mi (16 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | April 24, 1904  | 3  | 20  | E of Tulsa to W of Grove | Tulsa, Wagoner, Rogers, Mayes, Delaware | 67.4 mi (108.5 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 5  | 35  | Fairland | Delaware, Ottawa | 14.9 mi (24.0 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | March 17, 1905  | 0  | 16  | E of Carter | Beckham | Unknown  | 800 yd (730 m)
F5  | May 10, 1905 | 97†  | 150  | Snyder | Jackson, Tillman, Kiowa | 40 mi (64 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | November 4, 1905  | 8  | 16  | Mountain View | Kiowa | 3.1 mi (5.0 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | June 4, 1906  | 2  | 5  | N of Verden | Grady | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 1  | W of Bridgeport | Caddo, Blaine | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | June 22, 1907  | 1  | 7  | NE of Owasso | Rogers | Unknown
F4  | May 10, 1908  | 5  | 40  | SW of Arnett to W of Fairview | Ellis, Dewey, Woodward, Major | 79.9 mi (128.6 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | May 26, 1908  | 7  | 8  | N of Mooreland to S of Burlington | Woodward, Woods, Alfalfa | 49.9 mi (80.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | May 28, 1908  | 0  | 3  | SW of Cimarron City | Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma | 10 mi (16 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | W of Lawton | Comanche, Stephens | 8.4 mi (13.5 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 29, 1909  | 1  | 20  | SE of Stroud | Lincoln, Creek | 13.6 mi (21.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 6  | 20  | N of Prague | Lincoln, Okfuskee, Creek | 14.9 mi (24.0 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 8  | E of Wetumka | Hughes | 17.1 mi (27.5 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | May 6, 1910  | 1  | 4  | SE of Coweta | Wagoner | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | May 20, 1910  | 3  | 20  | E of Elmore City | Garvin | 12.2 mi (19.6 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 10, 1911  | 1  | 4  | SE of Frederick | Tillman | Unknown
F3  | April 12, 1911  | 0  | 2  | S of Chandler | Lincoln | 8.9 mi (14.3 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 1  | 3  | NW of Okmulgee | Okmulgee | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | Unknown
F4  | 5  | 50  | Barnsdall | Osage | 12.2 mi (19.6 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 2  | 25  | S of Checotah | McIntosh | 14.9 mi (24.0 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 20, 1912 | 0  | 0  | W of Addington | Jefferson | 6.1 mi (9.8 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | S of Anadarko | Caddo | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 3  | SW to E of Oklahoma City | Grady, Canadian, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Lincoln | 63.6 mi (102.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NE of Edmond | Oklahoma, Logan, Lincoln | 14.3 mi (23.0 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 14  | Perry | Noble | 10.9 mi (17.5 km)  | Unknown
F4  | 1  | 1  | E of El Reno | Canadian, Oklahoma | 15.3 mi (24.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 2  | 6  | S of Hennessey | Kingfisher | 11.3 mi (18.2 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | 3  | 12  | N of Morrison | Noble, Osage | 30.4 mi (48.9 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | May 27, 1912  | 7  | 30  | SW of Skiatook | Pawnee, Tulsa | 7.4 mi (11.9 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | June 15, 1912  | 1  | 15  | Barnsdall | Osage | 19.5 mi (31.4 km)  | Unknown
F3  | April 17, 1914  | 1  | 15  | Chickasha | Grady | 10.2 mi (16.4 km)  | Unknown
F4  | 0  | 12  | W of Braman | Grant, Kay | 25.2 mi (40.6 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | October 9, 1914  | 6  | 14  | S of Picher | Ottawa | 16.4 mi (26.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 24, 1916  | 2  | 28  | W of Ada |  | 17.7 mi (28.5 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 8  | 5  | W of Sulphur | Murray | 16.6 mi (26.7 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | May 20, 1916  | 9  | 52  | Kemp | Bryan | 11.9 mi (19.2 km)  | 1200 yd (1100 m)
F3  | January 4, 1917  | 16  | 20  | SE of Crowder | Pittsburg | 15.1 mi (24.3 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | April 18, 1917  | 0  | 15  | Snyder | Kiowa | 5.3 mi (8.5 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F4  | May 31, 1917  | 3  | 20  | NW of Marietta | Love | 7.9 mi (12.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | June 1, 1917  | 5  | 5  | E of Dougherty | Murray | 3.2 mi (5.1 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F4  | 14  | 100  | Coalgate | Coal | 12.1 mi (19.5 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | 0  | 12  | N of Seminole | Seminole | 7 mi (11 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 15, 1919  | 1  | 8  | N of Colony | Washita, Custer | 14.1 mi (22.7 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 2  | 25  | S of Porter | Wagoner | 7 mi (11 km)  | 75 yd (69 m)
F4  | 2  | 8  | W of Bridgeport | Washita, Caddo, Blaine | 18.2 mi (29.3 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F4  | 4  | 18  | N of Kingfisher | Canadian, Kingfisher | 30.1 mi (48.4 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | April 8, 1919  | 9  | 35  | E of Durant | Bryan | 10.1 mi (16.3 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 1  | 4  | Stonewall | Coal, Pontotoc | 20 mi (32 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 8  | 50  | E of Kemp | Bryan | 25.2 mi (40.6 km)‡  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | October 8, 1919  | 3  | 15  | W of Fort Towson | Choctaw | 23.5 mi (37.8 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 17, 1920  | 0  | 8  | SE of Bristow | Creek | 6.1 mi (9.8 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F3  | May 2, 1920  | 4  | 8  | NE of Chelsea | Rogers | 5.2 mi (8.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 71  | 100  | Peggs | Cherokee | 3.1 mi (5.0 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | 0  | 4  | S of Pryor Creek | Mayes | 3.6 mi (5.8 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | April 14, 1921  | 0  | 0  | W of Carnegie | Caddo, Washita | 10.4 mi (16.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 13, 1922  | 3  | 40  | Sulphur | Murray | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | April 8, 1922  | 3  | 40  | W of Lawton | Comanche | 5.1 mi (8.2 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | May 7, 1922  | 1  | 10  | Gould | Harmon, Jackson, Greer | 26.3 mi (42.3 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | November 4, 1922  | 11  | 40  | W of Tulsa | Creek, Tulsa | 23.9 mi (38.5 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | May 21, 1923  | 0  | 8  | W of Eagle City | Blaine | 2.4 mi (3.9 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | May 22, 1923  | 2  | 9  | W of Freedom | Harper, Woods | 10.3 mi (16.6 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | N of Freedom | Woods | 28.7 mi (46.2 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | March 28, 1924  | 8  | 80  | SW of Norman to N of Prague | Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee | 52.6 mi (84.7 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | W of Davidson | Tillman | 10.6 mi (17.1 km)‡  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | May 28, 1924  | 7  | 30  | Wetumka | Hughes, Okfuskee | 25.5 mi (41.0 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 3  | 50  | N of Keota | Haskell, LeFlore | 22 mi (35 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 5  | 25  | N of Tamaha | Muskogee, Haskell | 41.9 mi (67.4 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)

#### May 10, 1905

[edit]

Main article: 1905 Snyder tornado

This deadly F5 tornado was caused by a strong low pressure system that developed across the Rocky Mountains, near Denver, Colorado. Another storm was also located across Wyoming on May 9. Tornadoes formed on that day across several Plains states including Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The Colorado storm system then moved toward the Central and Southern Plains on the next day and affected areas slightly to the east of the area affected on May 9. A new trough of low pressure developed in the vicinity of the southern storm. It later moved across the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles.[33]

The tornado touched down just after 8:00 PM CST near the Kiowa/Greer County line and merged with the remnants of the first cyclone. It also proceeded northeast across the Red River Valley and Otter Creek region. At around 8:45 PM CST (after dark), it struck the town of Snyder, killing 97 people. Structures in the western and northern part of the town were completely demolished, with some homes being swept away. One hundred homes were leveled and 150 were badly damaged.[33] The tornado lifted northeast of Snyder shortly after 9:00 PM CST. Another tornado from a different supercell, which previously killed two in Elk City in Beckham County, killed three more in Quinlan, Oklahoma, which is about two hours northeast of Snyder.[33]

### 1925–1949

[edit]

FU  | F0  | F1  | F2  | F3  | F4  | F5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2  | 0  | 2  | 188  | 76  | 37  | 4  | 309
Deaths: 612  | Injuries: >4,543

1925 through 1949 was a particularly devastating period in Oklahoma's tornado history, with 309 confirmed tornadoes killing over 600 people. The deadliest, a long-track F5 tornado, killed 181 people through Northwestern Oklahoma, where it directly impacted Woodward. 117 intense tornadoes hit Oklahoma in this time-frame, hitting several cities, including Moore, Norman, Leedey, Antlers and Pryor Creek. Caney would be hit by two F4 tornadoes in 1926 and 1948, respectively.[34] The first tornado warning in United States history was issued for Tinker Air Force Base on March 25, 1948, shortly before an F3 tornado hit the base.[35]

† Deadliest in Oklahoma history at time of event

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Oklahoma

Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, 1925–1949[31][32] F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

F3  | February 21, 1925  | 1  | 5  | Loco | Stephens | Unknown
F3  | April 26, 1925  | 2  | 4  | S of Madill | Marshall | 1.1 mi (1.8 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | April 23, 1926  | 4  | 15  | S of Caney | Johnston, Atoka | 19.9 mi (32.0 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | May 7, 1926  | 4  | 25  | N of Panama | LeFlore | 9.7 mi (15.6 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | 2  | 23  | NW of Okmulgee | Okfuskee, Okmulgee | 30 mi (48 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | March 8, 1927  | 0  | 3  | S of Tonkawa | Garfield, Grant, Kay | 37.2 mi (59.9 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | April 11, 1927  | 1  | 6  | NE of Carnegie to SW of Oklahoma City | Washita, Caddo, Grady, Canadian | 55.3 mi (89.0 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 5  | NE of Carnegie to S of Duncan | Washita, Comanche, Stephens | 68.7 mi (110.6 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 12, 1927  | 2  | 18  | W of Bokoshe | Haskell, LeFlore | 10.5 mi (16.9 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 2  | 13  | Fort Smith | LeFlore | 3.9 mi (6.3 km)‡  | 150 yd (140 m)
F4  | April 17, 1927  | 4  | 4  | Bokoshe | LeFlore | 6.6 mi (10.6 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | April 18, 1927  | 11  | 72  | Fort Towson | Choctaw | 19.9 mi (32.0 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | May 16, 1928  | 0  | 1  | W of Mangum | Greer | Unknown  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | June 8, 1928  | 2  | 6  | NE of Boise City | Cimarron, Texas | 45.2 mi (72.7 km)‡  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | June 16, 1928  | 7  | 52  | Blair to NW of Snyder | Greer, Jackson, Kiowa | 29.8 mi (48.0 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F3  | November 15, 1928  | 2  | 7  | Orlando | Logan, Payne | 1.8 mi (2.9 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | April 18, 1929  | 0  | 2  | N of Gate | Beaver, Harper | 8.3 mi (13.4 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F4  | April 19, 1929  | 3  | 35  | S of Carnegie | Kiowa, Caddo | 30.1 mi (48.4 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F4  | April 23, 1929  | 0  | 1  | N of Buffalo | Harper | 12.4 mi (20.0 km)‡  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | May 5, 1930  | 1  | 16  | SE of Hulen | Cotton | 7.2 mi (11.6 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F3  | 0  | 7  | Empire City | Stephens | 10.3 mi (16.6 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | 2  | 9  | SW of Alex | Grady | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 3  | 18  | E of Greenfield | Blaine | 10.1 mi (16.3 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | November 19, 1930  | 0  | 4  | S of Carrier | Garfield | 5.2 mi (8.4 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F4  | 23  | 125  | Western Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 7.1 mi (11.4 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | March 19, 1931  | 2  | 20  | Clinton | Custer | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | April 19, 1933  | 0  | 4  | W of Faxon | Tillman | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | 3  | 25  | W of Alex | Grady | 15.4 mi (24.8 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F3  | May 11, 1933  | 1  | 1  | S of Snyder | Tillman, Comanche | 14.6 mi (23.5 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F3  | May 12, 1933  | 5  | 11  | Skiatook to Collinsville | Washington, Tulsa, Rogers | 19.8 mi (31.9 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | May 22, 1933  | 4  | 150  | E of Tyrone | Texas | 9.4 mi (15.1 km)‡  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | October 14, 1933  | 3  | 1  | SE of Sayre | Beckham | 0.9 mi (1.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 3, 1934  | 0  | 20  | Wynnewood | Murray, Garvin | 7.1 mi (11.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | May 4, 1934  | 3  | 11  | Jenks to Catoosa | Tulsa, Wagoner | 14.4 mi (23.2 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 5  | E of Bartlesville | Washington | 3.4 mi (5.5 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 1  | 17  | S to NE of South Coffeyville | Nowata | 15 mi (24 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | April 24, 1935  | 0  | 0  | E of Blackwell | Kay | 12.3 mi (19.8 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | May 8, 1935  | 0  | 4  | SW of Medford | Grant | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | June 2, 1935  | 0  | 0  | W of Fairfax | Osage | Unknown  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 0  | 12  | Dilworth | Kay | 35 mi (56 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | June 20, 1935  | 0  | 0  | W of Shidler | Osage | 2.2 mi (3.5 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | February 25, 1936  | 0  | 18  | N of Tulsa | Washington, Tulsa | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 1, 1936  | 3  | 13  | Albert | Caddo | 2.1 mi (3.4 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | May 8, 1936  | 2  | 38  | Webbers Falls to Gore | Muskogee, Sequoyah | 14.1 mi (22.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 1  | 30  | Hanna | McIntosh | 0.9 mi (1.4 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | June 5, 1936  | 1  | 5  | W of Snyder | Tillman, Kiowa | 5.5 mi (8.9 km)  | 75 yd (69 m)
F3  | June 9, 1937  | 4  | 7  | W of Moore | Canadian, Cleveland | 19.1 mi (30.7 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | Maud | Pottawatomie, Seminole | 9.6 mi (15.4 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | March 30, 1938  | 0  | 7  | S to W of Bartlesville | Osage, Washington, Nowata | 29.9 mi (48.1 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | 10  | 200  | NW of Welch | Craig | 44.9 mi (72.3 km)‡  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | May 1, 1938  | 0  | 1  | NE of Buffalo | Harper | 22.3 mi (35.9 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F5  | April 13, 1939  | 7  | 33  | S of Vici to NE of Alva | Dewey, Woodward, Major, Woods, Alfalfa | 81.2 mi (130.7 km)‡  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F3  | May 21, 1940  | 0  | 7  | SW of Pocasset | Grady | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 4, 1941  | 1  | 3  | W of Brooksville | Pottawatomie | 9.7 mi (15.6 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | March 15, 1942  | 0  | 0  | Okarche | Canadian, Kingfisher | 12.8 mi (20.6 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F4  | April 27, 1942  | 4  | 12  | Talala | Rogers | 15.2 mi (24.5 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 52  | 350  | Tiawah to Pryor Creek | Rogers, Mayes | 19.8 mi (31.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | May 2, 1942  | 3  | 28  | Pawhuska | Noble, Pawnee, Osage, Washington, Nowata | 80.4 mi (129.4 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | 7  | 20  | Cushing to N of Tulsa | Payne, Creek, Tulsa, Osage | 55.5 mi (89.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 16  | 80  | W of Shawnee to Prague to W of Okmulgee | Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Creek, Okmulgee | 57.4 mi (92.4 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | May 31, 1942  | 0  | 0  | Guymon | Texas | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | June 12, 1942  | 35  | 100  | W of Moore | Oklahoma | 2.4 mi (3.9 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | April 11, 1943  | 1  | 12  | NE of Poteau | LeFlore | 1.3 mi (2.1 km)  | 80 yd (73 m)
F3  | June 3, 1943  | 2  | 5  | SW of Temple | Cotton | 7.7 mi (12.4 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F3  | January 26, 1944  | 0  | 2  | NE of Fairmont | Garfield | Unknown
F3  | March 3, 1944  | 0  | 35  | Hugo | Choctaw | 14.9 mi (24.0 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | April 9, 1944  | 1  | 10  | SE of Corn | Washita | 14.5 mi (23.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | November 25, 1944  | 0  | 5  | Collinsville | Tulsa | 1.8 mi (2.9 km)  | 70 yd (64 m)
F3  | March 16, 1945  | 1  | 6  | W of Kemp | Bryan | 7.6 mi (12.2 km)  | Unknown
F3  | April 12, 1945  | 3  | 15  | Red Oak | Latimer | 12.7 mi (20.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 13  | 200  | E of Muskogee | Muskogee | 3.1 mi (5.0 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F5  | 69  | 353  | Antlers to S of Clayton | Pushmataha | 27.9 mi (44.9 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | 8  | 200  | Moore to Nicoma Park | Oklahoma | 20 mi (32 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 13, 1945  | 0  | 10  | Farris | Atoka | 3.5 mi (5.6 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 14, 1945  | 1  | 1  | E of Newport | Carter | Unknown  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | June 5, 1945  | 0  | 3  | SW of Alva | Woods | 13.1 mi (21.1 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | February 12, 1946  | 1  | 15  | Ardmore | Carter | 4.3 mi (6.9 km)  | Unknown
F4  | March 22, 1946  | 0  | 0  | SE of Wynona | Osage | 3 mi (4.8 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | May 10, 1946  | 1  | 5  | NW to E of Eufaula | McIntosh, Pittsburg | 10 mi (16 km)  | Unknown
F3  | October 17, 1946  | 0  | 0  | SE of Hugo | Choctaw | 7.5 mi (12.1 km)‡  | 200 yd (180 m)
F5  | April 9, 1947  | 181†[note 2] | 970  | S of Shattuck to Woodward to NW of Capron | Ellis, Woodward, Woods | 207.8 mi (334.4 km)‡  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F3  | May 11, 1947  | 0  | 5  | Hitchcock | Blaine | 15.9 mi (25.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F5  | May 31, 1947  | 7  | 15  | Leedey | Roger Mills, Dewey | 18.1 mi (29.1 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | March 8, 1948  | 0  | 3  | S of Sayre | Beckham | 16 mi (26 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Purcell | McClain | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | Unknown
F3  | May 1, 1948  | 4  | 175  | NW of Grove | Rogers, Craig, Delaware | 35.8 mi (57.6 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 15  | Grove | Craig, Delaware | 15.2 mi (24.5 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | May 3, 1948  | 0  | 3  | NW of Dougherty to Caney | Murray, Johnston, Atoka | 55.5 mi (89.3 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | March 25, 1949  | 2  | 25  | NW of McAlester | Pittsburg | 35.3 mi (56.8 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | March 29, 1949  | 4  | 31  | Canton | Dewey, Blaine | 19.6 mi (31.5 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 7  | N of Enid to Blackwell | Garfield, Grant, Kay | 42.4 mi (68.2 km)  | Unknown
F3  | April 30, 1949  | 0  | 0  | NE of Frederick | Tillman | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 0  | S of Frederick | Tillman | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 4  | E of Lawton | Comanche, Grady | 34.8 mi (56.0 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | W of Paoli | Garvin, McClain | 17.1 mi (27.5 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | 0  | 7  | Bennington | Bryan | 35.2 mi (56.6 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | 1  | 8  | W of Soper | Bryan, Choctaw, Pushmataha | 29.6 mi (47.6 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 0  | 48  | Norman | McClain, Cleveland | 22.3 mi (35.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 3  | 8  | SE of McLoud | Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Lincoln | 23.8 mi (38.3 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F4  | May 15, 1949  | 1  | 3  | Texhoma to Goodwell | Texas | 59.9 mi (96.4 km)‡  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | May 17, 1949  | 0  | 0  | E of Binger | Caddo | 9 mi (14 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | May 20, 1949  | 1  | 7  | S of Watonga | Blaine | 15.3 mi (24.6 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Waynoka | Woodward, Woods | 30.4 mi (48.9 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 1  | 1  | N of Shattuck | Ellis | Unknown  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | Cleveland | Pawnee, Osage | 4.8 mi (7.7 km)  | Unknown
F3  | October 9, 1949  | 0  | 3  | SW to N of Laverne | Beaver, Harper | 34.7 mi (55.8 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)

#### April 9, 1947

[edit]

Main article: 1947 Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornado outbreak

Moving at an average forward speed of 42 to 50 mph (68 to 80 km/h), this large and violent tornado was first confirmed near Canadian, Texas. When it struck the town of Glazier, it may have been as much as two miles (3.2 km) in width. Most structures in town were swept completely away and scattered. Vehicles in the area were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled, shrubbery was debarked, and ground scouring occurred. Glazier was considered completely destroyed, with 17 dead, a major percentage of the populace. Press reports told of two people who were known to be together in Glazier before the tornado struck were found three miles (4.8 km) apart afterward. The tornado maintained its intensity as it slammed into Higgins, on the Texas–Oklahoma border, which was also devastated. The accepted death toll here was 51; again, a large portion of the residents of the town were killed or injured. Much of downtown Higgins was completely demolished, and entire rows of homes were swept away. At one residence, a 41⁄2-tonne (4,500 kg) lathe was reportedly ripped from its anchors and broken in half.[36]

After killing at least one other person, the tornado crossed the state line and entered Oklahoma. There the tornado was at its worst—the deadliest storm in that state's tornado-troubled history. Six more people were killed when the tornado swept away about 60 ranches and farms south of Shattuck, Gage, and Fargo. During its trek, the funnel was so wide and low to the ground that it did not resemble a prototypical tornado. The tornado then moved into Woodward, where it devastated the town and killed an estimated 107 people. The damage that occurred in Woodward was catastrophic. There, the tornado was 1.8 mi (2.9 km) wide and destroyed 100 city blocks. Many homes and businesses were leveled or swept away, and as the tornado struck the town's power plant, a 20-tonne (20,000 kg) steel boiler tank was lofted and thrown a block and a half. Large trees sustained severe debarking as well. The tornado finally dissipated in Woods County, west of Alva, where it wrecked 36 homes and injured 30 people.[36]

Cleanup in the region was made more difficult because of cold and snow that followed the tornado. Four-year-old Joan Gay Croft and her sister Jerri were among refugees taking shelter in a basement hallway of the Woodward hospital. As officials sent the injured to different hospitals in the area, two men took Joan away, saying they were taking her to Oklahoma City. She was never seen again. Over the years, several women have come forth saying they suspect they might be Joan, although none of the claims have been verified. She is likely deceased. The Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornado was the sixth deadliest in U.S. history, killing 184 and injuring 980; of these figures, 116 deaths and 782 injuries occurred in Oklahoma. An undetermined number of additional fatalities may have occurred in both states affected. In all, the tornado destroyed 626 homes and damaged 920 others, becoming the costliest on record in Oklahoma history.[36]

#### March 20, 1948

[edit]

Airplanes damaged by the March 20, 1948 F3 tornado on the grounds of Tinker Air Force Base

Main article: 1948 Tinker Air Force Base tornadoes

Two tornadoes which struck Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City on March 20 and 25, 1948. Both are estimated to have been equivalent to F3 in intensity on the modern Fujita scale of tornado intensity, which was not devised until 1971. The March 20 tornado was the costliest tornado in Oklahoma history at the time.[37] On March 25, meteorologists at the base noticed the extreme similarity between the weather conditions of that day and March 20, and later in the day issued a "tornado forecast", which was verified when a tornado struck the base that evening. This was the first official tornado forecast, as well as the first successful tornado forecast, in recorded history.[37]

Weather forecasting was still crude and prone to large errors in the era before weather satellites and computer modeling. Thunderstorms were not even in the forecast for the evening of March 20. However, around 9:30 pm storms were reported about 20 miles (32 km) to the southwest, and at 9:52 a tornado was sighted near Will Rogers Airport 7 miles (11 km) away, along with a 92-mile-per-hour (148 km/h) wind gust, moving northeast towards the base.[38]

At 10:00, the tornado reached the southwest corner of the base. Illuminated by nearly constant lightning, the tornado was highly visible as it bisected the base, tossing around planes which were parked in the open. The control tower reported a 78-mile-per-hour (126 km/h) wind gust before the windows shattered, injuring several personnel with flying glass. The tornado dissipated at the northeast corner of the base.[38] The tornado missed most structures on the base, but the damage to expensive military aircraft was substantial. The total damage cost came to around $10 million, or $131 million in 2024 United States dollars. This was the most damaging tornado in Oklahoma up to that date.[35]

### 1950–1974

[edit]

FU  | F0  | F1  | F2  | F3  | F4  | F5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

0  | 381  | 495  | 365  | 96  | 29  | 3  | 1369
Deaths: 251  | Injuries: 2,315

1950 through 1974 saw 128 intense tornadoes in Oklahoma, resulting in the deaths of 240 people. The deadliest touched down in Kay County before crossing state lines into Kansas, striking the town of Udall, Kansas and killing eighty. The tornado was one of two to receive an F5 rating on May 25, 1955; the other killed twenty people in Blackwell. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area was hit particularly hard, with intense tornadoes moving through the area in 1951, 1960, 1973 and 1974. The largest tornado outbreak took place on June 8, 1974, with 22 tornadoes killing a combined total of 22 people. Two F3-rated tornadoes moved through metropolitan Tulsa on June 8, crossing paths over Jenks.

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Oklahoma

Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, 1950–1974[31][32] F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

F3  | April 30, 1951  | 0  | 0  | Downtown Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 7.4 mi (11.9 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | June 8, 1951  | 0  | 0  | Corn to Colony | Washita, Caddo | 10.9 mi (17.5 km)  | 173 yd (158 m)
F3  | March 13, 1953  | 2  | 11  | NW of Marietta | Love, Carter, Marshall, Johnston | 45.3 mi (72.9 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 1  | 8  | E of Bradley | Grady | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | June 5, 1953  | 0  | 0  | SW of Sulphur | Garvin, Murray | 16.9 mi (27.2 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | April 30, 1954  | 0  | 12  | Hugo | Choctaw | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | May 1, 1954  | 3  | 3  | E of Grandfield | Tillman, Cotton | 12.3 mi (19.8 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | W of Waurika | Cotton, Jefferson | 8 mi (13 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Marlow | Stephens | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | 0  | 2  | W of Frederick | Tillman, Kiowa | 68.6 mi (110.4 km)‡  | 440 yd (400 m)
F4  | 0  | 65  | NE of Moore | Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Creek | 59.2 mi (95.3 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | April 18, 1955  | 0  | 0  | SW of Cheyenne | Roger Mills | 8.9 mi (14.3 km)‡  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 25, 1955  | 0  | 1  | Deer Creek | Grant | 13.3 mi (21.4 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F4  | 2  | 18  | SW of Cheyenne | Roger Mills | 45.1 mi (72.6 km)‡  | 1100 yd (1000 m)
F5  | 20  | 280  | Blackwell | Kay | 28.4 mi (45.7 km)‡  | 500 yd (460 m)
F5  | 80[note 3] | 273  | NW of Newkirk | Kay | 56.4 mi (90.8 km)‡  | 1320 yd (1210 m)
F3  | April 2, 1956  | 5  | 68  | Stroud | Lincoln, Creek | 42.6 mi (68.6 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 2  | SW of Alva | Woods, Alfalfa | 20 mi (32 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 0  | 3  | SE of Sobol | Choctaw | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | 2  | 29  | NW of Kaw City | Kay | 108.3 mi (174.3 km)‡  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | 0  | 59  | Miami | Ottawa | 41.8 mi (67.3 km)‡  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 8, 1956  | 0  | 4  | SE of Enid | Garfield | 7.3 mi (11.7 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | S of Covington | Garfield | 7.7 mi (12.4 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | January 22, 1957  | 10  | 20  | NW of Gans | Sequoyah | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | April 2, 1957  | 2  | 6  | E of Kingston | Marshall, Bryan | 5.2 mi (8.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | 3  | 3  | Durant | Bryan | 7.9 mi (12.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | April 22, 1957  | 0  | 1  | Carnegie | Caddo | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 20, 1957  | 0  | 1  | Sallisaw | Haskell, Sequoyah | 20.4 mi (32.8 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | May 24, 1957  | 4  | 5  | S of Lawton | Cotton, Comanche | 21.6 mi (34.8 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | September 14, 1957  | 2  | 6  | Asher to Wetumka | Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Hughes | 67.5 mi (108.6 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | June 20, 1958  | 0  | 0  | S of Gage | Ellis | 0.5 mi (0.80 km)  | 67 yd (61 m)
F3  | November 17, 1958  | 0  | 4  | S of Frederick | Tillman, Cotton | 65.8 mi (105.9 km)‡  | 50 yd (46 m)
F3  | 0  | 15  | S to NE of Seminole | Seminole, Okfuskee | 18.3 mi (29.5 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Fairmont to Blackwell | Garfield, Noble, Kay | 39.2 mi (63.1 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | March 31, 1959  | 0  | 3  | NE of Oilton | Creek, Pawnee | 3.8 mi (6.1 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 10  | S of Kingston | Marshall | 13.2 mi (21.2 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | May 9, 1959  | 7  | 12  | W of Stonewall | Pontotoc | 6.2 mi (10.0 km)  | 900 yd (820 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | SW to NE of Talala | Washington, Rogers, Nowata | 23.4 mi (37.7 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F3  | 0  | 3  | Ketchum | Mayes, Craig, Delaware | 23.2 mi (37.3 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | May 26, 1959  | 0  | 8  | Graham | Carter | 3.3 mi (5.3 km)  | 60 yd (55 m)
F3  | August 30, 1959  | 0  | 1  | Devol | Cotton | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | September 27, 1959  | 1  | 1  | NW of Welch | Craig | 8.2 mi (13.2 km)‡  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | April 28, 1960  | 0  | 0  | S of Binger | Caddo | 3.3 mi (5.3 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 2  | NW of Amber | Grady | 3.6 mi (5.8 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | NW of Tuttle | Grady | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 57  | Downtown Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 11.7 mi (18.8 km)  | 333 yd (304 m)
F4  | May 4, 1960  | 0  | 3  | E of Antlers | Pushmataha | 30.8 mi (49.6 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NE of Marlow | Stephens | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 6  | NW of Ada | Pontotoc, Seminole | 18.3 mi (29.5 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | Bethany to The Village | Oklahoma | 5.1 mi (8.2 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 0  | 0  | E of Asher | Pottawatomie, Seminole | 8 mi (13 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | May 5, 1960  | 0  | 0  | NE of Wayne to W of Sand Springs | Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Creek, Tulsa | 101.9 mi (164.0 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 16  | 106  | Wilburton to Keota | Pushmataha, Haskell, Sequoyah | 62.4 mi (100.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F5  | 5  | 81  | Tecumseh to Sapulpa | Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Creek, Tulsa | 71.8 mi (115.6 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | 5  | 13  | Roland | Sequoyah | 5.4 mi (8.7 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 1  | 0  | W of Gans | LeFlore, Sequoyah | 23.7 mi (38.1 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 1  | 0  | E of Roland | Sequoyah | 4.5 mi (7.2 km)‡  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Maysville | Garvin | 7.3 mi (11.7 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 2  | 15  | SW of Hoffman | Okmulgee | 0.8 mi (1.3 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | June 7, 1960  | 0  | 0  | S of Olustee | Jackson | 0.8 mi (1.3 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | August 7, 1960  | 0  | 0  | Quapaw | Ottawa | 4.7 mi (7.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | February 17, 1961  | 0  | 7  | Spencer to Luther | Oklahoma | 16.8 mi (27.0 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | 0  | 11  | Stratford to Henryetta | Garvin, Pontotoc, Seminole, Hughes, Okfuskee, Okmulgee | 73 mi (117 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | March 26, 1961  | 0  | 0  | E of Kaw City | Kay, Osage | 8 mi (13 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | W to NE of Eufaula | McIntosh | 21.4 mi (34.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | April 30, 1961  | 0  | 2  | N of Minco | Grady | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 77 yd (70 m)
F3  | May 4, 1961  | 1  | 0  | NW of Calumet | Blaine, Canadian | 9.5 mi (15.3 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F4  | May 5, 1961  | 16  | 58  | E of Talihina | LeFlore | 26.4 mi (42.5 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NE of Hugo | Choctaw | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | May 7, 1961  | 0  | 1  | Bluejacket | Craig, Ottawa | 8.9 mi (14.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | May 21, 1961  | 0  | 0  | S of Cushing | Payne | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | SE of Cushing | Payne | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | April 26, 1962  | 0  | 0  | N of Sayre | Beckham | 3.6 mi (5.8 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | May 25, 1962  | 0  | 4  | Weatherford | Custer | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F4  | 0  | 9  | Dill City | Washita | 7.2 mi (11.6 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F4  | May 26, 1962  | 0  | 1  | E of Randlett | Cotton | 10.1 mi (16.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | May 26, 1963  | 0  | 5  | SE of Midwest City | Oklahoma | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 1  | 4  | Arcadia to N of Meeker | Oklahoma, Lincoln | 34.3 mi (55.2 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 2  | Bowlegs | Seminole | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | July 15, 1963  | 0  | 0  | SW of Beaver | Beaver | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | April 3, 1964  | 0  | 1  | E of Kingston | Marshall, Bryan | 16.7 mi (26.9 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 10, 1964  | 0  | 0  | S of Tahlequah | Cherokee | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F4  | March 16, 1965  | 0  | 7  | S of Nash to N of Braman | Grant, Kay | 82.7 mi (133.1 km)‡  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | April 11, 1966  | 0  | 6  | W of Coweta | Wagoner, Tulsa | 7.3 mi (11.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | April 27, 1966  | 0  | 0  | N of Haywood | Pittsburg | 8 mi (13 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F4  | 0  | 2  | S of Wapanucka | Johnston, Atoka | 10.2 mi (16.4 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F3  | April 20, 1967  | 0  | 0  | S of Anadarko | Caddo | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F4  | June 10, 1967  | 4  | 1  | W of Butler | Roger Mills, Custer | 8.7 mi (14.0 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | 0  | 0  | E of Watonga | Blaine | 0.1 mi (0.16 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | W of Kingfisher | Kingfisher | 16.7 mi (26.9 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | April 19, 1968  | 0  | 0  | SW of Little | Seminole | 6.6 mi (10.6 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | May 13, 1968  | 0  | 0  | W to N of Konawa | Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole | 11.6 mi (18.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | April 26, 1970  | 0  | 0  | E of Ames | Major | 1 mi (1.6 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | June 11, 1970  | 0  | 1  | Northwestern Oklahoma City | Canadian, Oklahoma | 13.2 mi (21.2 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 1  | 45  | Stilwell | Adair | 51.8 mi (83.4 km)‡  | 250 yd (230 m)
F4  | October 5, 1970  | 4  | 84  | Shawnee to Prague | Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee | 25 mi (40 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | October 8, 1970  | 0  | 4  | E of Colcord | Delaware | 6.9 mi (11.1 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 12, 1971  | 0  | 4  | Colbert | Marshall, Bryan | 41.6 mi (66.9 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | May 5, 1971  | 0  | 0  | Haskell to SE of Hulbert | Muskogee, Wagoner, Cherokee | 37 mi (60 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | June 7, 1971  | 0  | 0  | SW of Thomas | Custer | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F4  | April 19, 1972  | 5  | 6  | SE of Ratliff City | Carter, Murray, Garvin | 28.2 mi (45.4 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | May 22, 1972  | 0  | 0  | SW of Willow | Greer | 9.5 mi (15.3 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | October 21, 1972  | 0  | 1  | Idabel | McCurtain | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 33 yd (30 m)
F3  | April 19, 1973  | 0  | 21  | Ada | Pontotoc | 7.9 mi (12.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | May 24, 1973  | 2  | 4  | Union City | Canadian, Grady | 13.3 mi (21.4 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
F4  | May 26, 1973  | 5  | 25  | N of Warner | Muskogee | 3.6 mi (5.8 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | 0  | 6  | NE of Webbers Falls | Sequoyah | 18.7 mi (30.1 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | 0  | 3  | N of Copan | Washington | 0.3 mi (0.48 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | June 18, 1973  | 0  | 29  | Frederick | Tillman | 3.3 mi (5.3 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Carnegie | Caddo, Washita | 16.8 mi (27.0 km)  | 133 yd (122 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Hominy | Osage | 2.5 mi (4.0 km)  | 40 yd (37 m)
F3  | September 24, 1973  | 0  | 14  | N of Afton | Craig, Ottawa | 20.8 mi (33.5 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | November 19, 1973  | 5  | 36  | Moore | McClain, Cleveland, Oklahoma | 24.2 mi (38.9 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | April 20, 1974  | 0  | 3  | N of Moore | Grady, Canadian, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Lincoln | 63.6 mi (102.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Waurika | Jefferson | 6.1 mi (9.8 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | June 8, 1974 | 0  | 14  | Downtown Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 8.9 mi (14.3 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Choctaw | Oklahoma | 9 mi (14 km)  | 127 yd (116 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Jones | Oklahoma | 10.2 mi (16.4 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | 0  | 8  | Davenport | Lincoln | 6.8 mi (10.9 km)  | 1300 yd (1200 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Sparks | Lincoln | 2.5 mi (4.0 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Prague | Seminole, Pottawatomie, Okfuskee, Creek | 29.9 mi (48.1 km)  | 1300 yd (1200 m)
F3  | 0  | 42  | Jenks to Chouteau | Creek, Tulsa, Wagoner, Rogers, Mayes | 48.9 mi (78.7 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 2  | 80  | Jenks to Vinita | Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes, Craig | 63.6 mi (102.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | SW of Jay | Delaware | 2.7 mi (4.3 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F4  | 14  | 150  | Drumright to Westport | Payne, Creek, Pawnee, Osage | 29 mi (47 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)

#### May 25, 1955

[edit]

Main article: 1955 Great Plains tornado outbreak

Aerial of tornado damage in Blackwell

The tornado formed in extreme northern Noble County at around 9:00 p.m. CDT, just west of Marland, before crossing the county line, passing east of Tonkawa, and through the eastern portions of the Kay County town of Blackwell as an F5 tornado up to 400 yards (370 m) wide. It claimed the lives of 20 people in Blackwell and injured over 200 before crossing into and dissipating over Sumner County, Kansas. Along with destroying nearly 200 homes,[39] the tornado also demolished the town's main employers including the Acme Foundry and the Hazel Atlas Glass plant. 400 homes were destroyed or swept away, and 500 other homes were damaged.[39] 60 businesses were also destroyed and the local hospital also sustained major damage. Most of the western half of the town was spared the worst of the damage.[39] Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing a prominent blue light in the funnel.[40]

About 30 minutes after producing the Blackwell tornado, the same supercell produced another large and violent and long-tracked tornado just east of the first tornado track near the Kansas/Oklahoma border. It proceeded northward across Sumner and Cowley Counties. The town of Udall, Kansas was especially hard hit with F5 damage that included the disintegration of numerous structures and homes all across the town. Even the town's water tower was toppled. The funnel, about 1,300 yards (1,200 m) wide, hit Udall at around 10:30 p.m. CDT. Half of the town's population was killed or injured. Numerous homes and businesses were destroyed, many of which were swept away, including a 30-by-40 foot concrete block building that was obliterated, with the foundation left mostly bare of any debris. Vehicles were thrown hundreds of yards and mangled beyond recognition, including a pickup truck that was wrapped around a tree and stripped of everything but its frame and tires.[41] The Udall public school building sustained major damage, with beams snapped and blown away.[42][43][44]

Almost immediately, volunteers and rescue workers descended into the darkness to aid the survivors. Ambulances and automobiles of all kinds rushed the growing numbers of injured to hospitals in three neighboring towns. The closest hospitals were William Newton and St Mary's Hospitals, 17 miles southeast in Winfield, the former of which took in 129 patients that night. Several were taken to St Luke's Hospital in Wellington, 23 miles to the southwest, while the remainder were taken to three hospitals in Wichita to the northwest.[45] This tornado was the deadliest in Kansas history with 80 fatalities and 273 injuries.[46]

### 1975–1999

[edit]

FU  | F0  | F1  | F2  | F3  | F4  | F5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

0  | 650  | 396  | 234  | 73  | 19  | 3  | 239
Deaths: 150  | Injuries: >3,821

1975 through 1999 saw 293 tornadoes, which collectively resulted in the deaths of over 150 people. The deadliest in Oklahoma moved through Bridge Creek, Newcastle, Moore and Del City on May 3, 1999; the tornado, which received an F5 rating, had the highest measured windspeeds ever recorded on Earth, at 321 miles per hour (517 km/h). The tornado inflicted an estimated total of $1 billion (1999 USD)[8] in damage to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, making it the second-costliest in Oklahoma history.[9] Another F4 tornado that had killed 42 people in Wichita Falls, Texas moved into Jefferson County, but caused no deaths along the Oklahoma portion of its path.[47] Three F5 tornadoes hit Oklahoma during this time period, striking in 1976, 1982 and 1999. One of these tornadoes moved south of Spiro, killing two people. Another, which crossed Choctaw and McCurtain counties, injured 29 people near Broken Bow.

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Oklahoma

Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, 1975–1999[31][32][48] F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

F3  | May 2, 1975  | 0  | 0  | E of Dill City | Washita | 4.7 mi (7.6 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | June 13, 1975  | 0  | 8  | Stillwater | Payne | 5.1 mi (8.2 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | December 5, 1975  | 0  | 38  | Downtown Tulsa | Tulsa | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | W of Haskell | Okmulgee, Muskogee, Wagoner | 27 mi (43 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
F4  | March 26, 1976  | 1  | 4  | N of Talihina | Latimer, LeFlore | 10.7 mi (17.2 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F5  | 2  | 64  | S of Spiro | LeFlore | 11.9 mi (19.2 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F4  | April 16, 1976  | 0  | 6  | E of Fort Cobb | Caddo | 32.9 mi (52.9 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | April 19, 1976  | 0  | 2  | W of Leon | Jefferson | 10.4 mi (16.7 km)  | 373 yd (341 m)
F3  | March 2, 1977  | 0  | 1  | E of Duncan | Stephens | 4.3 mi (6.9 km)‡  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 15, 1977  | 1  | 2  | E of Duncan | Stephens | 0.8 mi (1.3 km)  | 180 yd (160 m)
F3  | May 16, 1977  | 0  | 0  | NW of Sayre | Beckham, Roger Mills | 18.2 mi (29.3 km)  | 1320 yd (1210 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Erick | Beckham | 6.5 mi (10.5 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F4  | May 18, 1977  | 0  | 0  | Keyes | Cimarron | 38.6 mi (62.1 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | May 20, 1977  | 0  | 3  | E of Altus | Jackson, Kiowa | 10.4 mi (16.7 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | SE of Tipton | Tillman | 1.5 mi (2.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NE of Arcadia | Oklahoma, Logan | 9.9 mi (15.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | April 30, 1978  | 0  | 0  | SE of Slapout | Beaver | 14.4 mi (23.2 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | 0  | 0  | S to W of Piedmont | Canadian, Oklahoma | 9.3 mi (15.0 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
F3  | March 18, 1979  | 0  | 0  | Copan to Wann | Washington, Nowata | 7.9 mi (12.7 km)  | 30 yd (27 m)
F3  | April 10, 1979 | 3  | 100  | Lawton | Comanche | 4.5 mi (7.2 km)  | 170 yd (160 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | SE of Ratliff City | Jefferson, Stephens, Carter, Garvin | 12.8 mi (20.6 km)  | 170 yd (160 m)
F4  | 11  | 68  | S of Davidson | Tillman | 39.7 mi (63.9 km)‡  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | 42[note 4] | 1,740  | Waurika | Jefferson | 47.3 mi (76.1 km)‡  | 1320 yd (1210 m)
F3  | May 2, 1979  | 0  | 0  | SW of Covington | Garfield | 8.4 mi (13.5 km)  | 120 yd (110 m)
F4  | 1  | 25  | N of Ringwood | Major, Garfield | 20.6 mi (33.2 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | October 30, 1979  | 3  | 2  | NW of Ardmore | Carter | 8.4 mi (13.5 km)  | 530 yd (480 m)
F3  | April 7, 1980  | 0  | 4  | S of Afton | Mayes, Craig, Delaware | 24.8 mi (39.9 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | 0  | 9  | W of Cameron | Le Flore | 0.5 mi (0.80 km)  | 127 yd (116 m)
F3  | April 19, 1981  | 0  | 0  | W of Tahlequah | Cherokee | 3 mi (4.8 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 7  | Tulsa metropolitan area | Tulsa | 4.9 mi (7.9 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | Tulsa metropolitan area | Tulsa | 0.5 mi (0.80 km)  | 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3  | 5  | 49  | S of Bixby | Tulsa | 9.9 mi (15.9 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | May 17, 1981  | 0  | 6  | Tecumseh | Pottawatomie | 10.2 mi (16.4 km)  | 587 yd (537 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Cromwell to Okemah | Seminole, Okfuskee | 15.4 mi (24.8 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F4  | 0  | 2  | W of Cromwell to SW of Okmulgee | Seminole, Okfuskee, Okmulgee | 33.6 mi (54.1 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | May 22, 1981  | 0  | 12  | Clinton | Custer | 10.3 mi (16.6 km)  | 267 yd (244 m)
F4  | 0  | 0  | N of Binger | Caddo, Canadian | 16.7 mi (26.9 km)  | 1333 yd (1219 m)
F3  | May 23, 1981  | 0  | 0  | Durant | Bryan | 9.7 mi (15.6 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | March 15, 1982  | 1  | 36  | Ada | Pontotoc | 6 mi (9.7 km)  | 60 yd (55 m)
F4  | March 18, 1982  | 0  | 12  | E of Hardesty to Beaver | Texas, Beaver | 88 mi (142 km)‡  | 800 yd (730 m)
F5  | April 2, 1982  | 0  | 29  | Broken Bow | Choctaw, McCurtain | 53 mi (85 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of Marietta | Love | 0.5 mi (0.80 km)  | 30 yd (27 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NE of Boswell | Choctaw | 8 mi (13 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 1  | 4  | S of Tom | McCurtain | 52 mi (84 km)‡  | 233 yd (213 m)
F3  | May 11, 1982  | 0  | 41  | Altus | Jackson | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | 2  | 18  | NE of Blair | Jackson, Greer | 10 mi (16 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Lone Wolf | Kiowa | 7 mi (11 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | May 13, 1983  | 0  | 0  | Kingfisher | Kingfisher | 8.8 mi (14.2 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | November 22, 1983  | 0  | 3  | Albion | Pushmataha | 3 mi (4.8 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NW of Westville | Adair | 19 mi (31 km)‡  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | April 26, 1984  | 8  | 95  | SE of Okmulgee to Morris | Okmulgee | 22 mi (35 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
F4  | 3  | 37  | E of Jennings | Creek, Pawnee | 22 mi (35 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | April 29, 1984  | 1  | 60  | E of Jennings | Creek, Pawnee, Osage | 27 mi (43 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | October 31, 1984  | 0  | 0  | N of Seiling | Woodward, Major | 20 mi (32 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | May 8, 1986  | 0  | 15  | Downtown Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 22, 1987  | 0  | 0  | NW of Shattuck | Ellis | 30 mi (48 km)‡  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | March 13, 1990  | 0  | 1  | SE of Duncan | Stephens | 22 mi (35 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Wakita | Grant | 19 mi (31 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Wakita | Grant | 22 mi (35 km)‡  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | May 15, 1990  | 1  | 12  | NW of Stillwater | Payne | 7 mi (11 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | May 26, 1990  | 0  | 0  | SE of Hinton | Caddo | 3 mi (4.8 km)  | 200 yd (180 m)
F3  | March 21, 1991  | 0  | 2  | Ada | Pontotoc | 11 mi (18 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | March 26, 1991  | 0  | 0  | SE of Wakita | Grant, Kay | 67 mi (108 km)‡  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | April 12, 1991  | 0  | 0  | SW of Pond Creek | Garfield, Grant | 9 mi (14 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | Pond Creek | Grant | 9.5 mi (15.3 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F4  | April 26, 1991 | 0  | 6  | NW of Fairfax | Garfield, Noble, Osage | 66 mi (106 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
F4  | 1  | 24  | SE of Westport | Pawnee, Osage, Tulsa | 32 mi (51 km)  | 1700 yd (1600 m)
F4  | 0  | 22  | Oologah | Rogers | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 1300 yd (1200 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | E of Enid | Garfield | 6 mi (9.7 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | May 15, 1991  | 0  | 3  | Laverne | Harper | 11.5 mi (18.5 km)  | 900 yd (820 m)
F3  | May 26, 1991  | 0  | 0  | Mooreland | Woodward | 12.5 mi (20.1 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
F4  | May 11, 1992  | 0  | 3  | N of Kiowa | Pittsburg | 10 mi (16 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | NE of Tupelo | Coal | 12 mi (19 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | July 2, 1992  | 0  | 1  | W of Oologah | Tulsa, Rogers | 4 mi (6.4 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F4  | April 24, 1983  | 7  | 100  | W of Catoosa | Tulsa, Rogers | 5.5 mi (8.9 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | 0  | 30  | S of Catoosa | Tulsa, Wagoner, Rogers | 8 mi (13 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
F3  | May 5, 1993  | 0  | 0  | SE of Guymon | Texas | 12 mi (19 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | NW of Hooker | Texas | 18.5 mi (29.8 km)‡  | 1200 yd (1100 m)
F3  | June 8, 1993  | 0  | 0  | N of Kildare | Kay | 11.5 mi (18.5 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
F3  | May 7, 1995  | 3  | 6  | NW of Marietta | Love, Carter | 34.1 mi (54.9 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | May 26, 1997  | 0  | 1  | W of Indianola | McIntosh, Pittsburg | 5 mi (8.0 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | May 24, 1998  | 0  | 0  | W of Lamont | Grant | 5.3 mi (8.5 km)  | 1300 yd (1200 m)
F3  | October 4, 1998  | 0  | 1  | Prague | Seminole, Pottawatomie, Lincoln | 10 mi (16 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | May 3, 1999 | 0  | 3  | NE of Apache | Caddo | 6.4 mi (10.3 km)  | 100 yd (91 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | W of Chickasha | Caddo, Grady | 9.3 mi (15.0 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | N of El Reno | Canadian, Kingfisher | 22 mi (35 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | 0  | 4  | W of Kingfisher | Kingfisher | 21 mi (34 km)  | Unknown
F3  | 0  | 13  | E of Crescent | Logan | 13 mi (21 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F4  | 1  | 11  | Dover | Kingfisher | 15 mi (24 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F5  | 36  | 583  | S of Amber to Bridge Creek to Moore to Midwest City | Grady, Cleveland, Oklahoma | 37.3 mi (60.0 km)  | 1430 yd (1310 m)
F4  | 2  | 26  | Cimarron City to Mulhall | Logan, Payne, Noble | 40 mi (64 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
F3  | 0  | 13  | Davenport to Stroud | Lincoln, Creek | 16 mi (26 km)  | 450 yd (410 m)
F3  | May 4, 1999  | 0  | 0  | SE of Stilwell | Sequoyah, Adair | 38.2 mi (61.5 km)‡  | Unknown
F3  | June 1, 1999  | 0  | 0  | S of Checotah | McIntosh | 4.5 mi (7.2 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)
F3  | 2  | 5  | W of Hulbert | Cherokee | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 350 yd (320 m)

#### May 3, 1999

[edit]

Main articles: 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado, 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, and List of tornadoes in the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak

Through the afternoon to evening hours of May 3, 1999, the largest tornado outbreak in Oklahoma history would take place across the central portions of the state. Seventy confirmed tornadoes touched down within state boundaries, killing a total of 40 people. The deadliest and most powerful struck Moore; the tornado retained the highest windspeeds ever recorded on Earth. other powerful tornadoes include an F4 that killed one person in Kingfisher County and a large F4 tornado impacted Mulhall, killing two people.

Tornado damage in Moore following the 1999 F5 tornado

On the evening of May 3, a large, long-lived and exceptionally powerful F5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma in which the highest wind speed ever measured globally was recorded at 321 miles per hour (517 km/h) by a Doppler on Wheels (DOW) radar. Considered the strongest tornado ever recorded to have affected the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the tornado devastated southern portions of Oklahoma City while near peak intensity, along with surrounding suburbs and towns to the south and southwest of the city during the early evening of Monday, May 3, 1999. Parts of Bridge Creek were rendered unrecognizable. The tornado covered 38 miles (61 km) during its 85-minute existence, destroying thousands of homes, killing 36 people (plus an additional five indirectly), and leaving US$1 billion (1999 USD) in damage,[49] ranking it as the fifth-costliest on record not accounting for inflation.[50] Its severity prompted the first-ever use of the tornado emergency statement by the National Weather Service.

The tornado first touched down at 6:23 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) in Grady County, roughly two miles (3.2 km) south-southwest of the town of Amber. It quickly intensified into a violent F4, and gradually reached F5 status after traveling 6.5 miles (10.5 km), at which time it struck the town of Bridge Creek. It fluctuated in strength, ranging from F2 to F5 status before it crossed into Cleveland County where it reached F5 intensity for a third time shortly before entering the city of Moore. By 7:30 p.m., the tornado crossed into Oklahoma County and battered southeastern Oklahoma City, Del City, and Midwest City before dissipating around 7:48 p.m. just outside Midwest City. A total of 8,132 homes, 1,041 apartments, 260 businesses, eleven public buildings, and seven churches were damaged or destroyed.[49]

### 2000–2006

[edit]

FU  | F0  | F1  | F2  | F3  | F4  | F5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

0  | 200  | 92  | 21  | 8  | 1  | 0  | 322
Deaths: 1  | Injuries: 203

The years 2000 through 2006 only saw nine intense tornadoes, none of which were fatal. These tornadoes caused a combined total of 154 injuries, the majority of which were sustained when an F4 tornado hit southwest Oklahoma City on May 8, 2003.[51] One fatality was recorded when an F2 tornado moved rural Coal and Atoka counties west of Coalgate on April 10, 2001.[52] The Fujita Scale, which had been used by the National Weather Service during tornado damage surveys to rate tornado damage, was discontinued in February 2007, being replaced by the Enhanced Fujita scale.[53]

Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, 2000–2006[31][48] F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

F3  | October 9, 2001  | 0  | 0  | NW of Elk City | Beckham, Washita, Custer | 11.5 mi (18.5 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F3  | 0  | 9  | Cordell | Washita | 6 mi (9.7 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
F3  | 0  | 1  | N of Mountain View | Kiowa | 13 mi (21 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
F3  | April 17, 2002  | 0  | 0  | W of Seiling | Dewey, Woodward | 8 mi (13 km)  | 600 yd (550 m)
F4  | May 8, 2003 | 0  | 134  | Moore | Cleveland, Oklahoma | 17.3 mi (27.8 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
F3  | 0  | 0  | W of Bartlesville | Osage | 45 mi (72 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
F3  | May 9, 2003 | 0  | 2  | NE of Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 17.8 mi (28.6 km)  | 1320 yd (1210 m)
F3  | May 29, 2004  | 0  | 0  | N of Depew | Creek | 7.5 mi (12.1 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
F3  | March 12, 2006  | 0  | 8  | SW to NE of Kansas | Cherokee, Delaware | 29 mi (47 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)

### 2007–present

[edit]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

EFU  | EF0  | EF1  | EF2  | EF3  | EF4  | EF5  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

126  | 507  | 440  | 106  | 30  | 13  | 2  | 1,220
Deaths: 110  | Injuries: 1,515

As of July 2025, a total of 1,220 tornadoes, 41 being intense, have killed over 99 people in Oklahoma since the implementation of the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007. The deadliest struck Moore on May 20, 2013, killing 24 people and injuring 212 others.[54] Two EF5 tornadoes have been recorded within state boundaries since 2007, both of which hit areas around Oklahoma City.[55][56] The widest tornado ever recorded, which reached a peak width of 4576 yd (4184 m) (2.6 miles), moved through rural farmland south of El Reno on May 31, 2013, killing eight people.[57]

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Oklahoma

Intense (EF3+) tornadoes in Oklahoma, 2007–present[31][48] EF# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

EF3  | May 5, 2007  | 0  | 1  | NE of Sweetwater | Beckham, Roger Mills | 7.7 mi (12.4 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)
EF4  | May 10, 2008 | 21  | 350  | S of Picher | Craig, Ottawa | 75.5 mi (121.5 km)‡  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
EF3  | May 23, 2008  | 0  | 0  | S of Selman | Harper | 5 mi (8.0 km)  | 1100 yd (1000 m)
EF3  | 0  | 0  | N of Freedom | Woods | 11 mi (18 km)‡  | 980 yd (900 m)
EF4  | February 10, 2009  | 8  | 46  | W of Ardmore | Jefferson, Love, Carter | 37 mi (60 km)‡  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF3  | April 9, 2009  | 0  | 7  | E of Eagletown | McCurtain | 37.2 mi (59.9 km)‡  | 850 yd (780 m)
EF3  | May 10, 2010  | 0  | 0  | NW of Ardmore | Carter | 4.9 mi (7.9 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
EF3  | 0  | 28  | Tecumseh | Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee | 37.2 mi (59.9 km)  | 2200 yd (2000 m)
EF3  | 0  | 3  | NW of Shawnee | Pottawatomie | 6.5 mi (10.5 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF4  | 1  | 32  | E of Norman | Cleveland, Pottawatomie | 22.2 mi (35.7 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF4  | 2  | 49  | SE of Moore | Cleveland, Oklahoma | 24 mi (39 km)  | 2000 yd (1800 m)
EF3  | 0  | 3  | N of Medford | Grant, Kay | 47.7 mi (76.8 km)‡  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
EF3  | April 14, 2011 | 2  | 40  | SW to NE of Atoka | Atoka | 17 mi (27 km)  | 1320 yd (1210 m)
EF3  | May 22, 2011 | 0  | 4  | S of Grove | Delaware | 17.9 mi (28.8 km)  | 1550 yd (1420 m)
EF3  | May 24, 2011 | 0  | 0  | N of Lookeba | Caddo | 8.6 mi (13.8 km)  | 800 yd (730 m)
EF4  | 1  | 48  | S of Chickasha to Newcastle | Grady, Cleveland | 33.3 mi (53.6 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF5  | 9  | 181  | N of El Reno | Canadian, Kingfisher, Logan | 64.9 mi (104.4 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
EF4  | 0  | 61  | W of Washington | Grady, Cleveland | 23.1 mi (37.2 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF3  | 1  | 2  | E of Seiling | Dewey, Blaine, Major | 13.2 mi (21.2 km)  | 880 yd (800 m)
EF4  | November 7, 2011  | 0  | 0  | Tipton | Jackson, Tillman | 17.4 mi (28.0 km)‡  | 500 yd (460 m)
EF3  | April 14, 2012  | 6  | 29  | Arnett to Woodward | Ellis, Woodward | 34 mi (55 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
EF3  | May 19, 2013 | 0  | 4  | S of Carney | Oklahoma, Lincoln | 20.8 mi (33.5 km)  | 1200 yd (1100 m)
EF4  | 2  | 10  | E of Norman | Cleveland, Pottawatomie | 23 mi (37 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
EF5  | May 20, 2013 | 24  | 212  | Moore | Grady, Cleveland | 13.8 mi (22.2 km)  | 1900 yd (1700 m)
EF3  | May 31, 2013 | 8  | 26  | S of El Reno | Canadian | 16.2 mi (26.1 km)  | 4576 yd (4184 m)
EF3  | May 6, 2015  | 0  | 0  | Bridge Creek | Grady | 10.3 mi (16.6 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
EF3  | 0  | 12  | Valley Brook | Oklahoma | 2 mi (3.2 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
EF3  | May 16, 2015  | 0  | 0  | S of Snyder | Jackson, Tillman, Kiowa | 40.4 mi (65.0 km)‡  | 1600 yd (1500 m)
EF3  | May 25, 2015  | 1  | 1  | NW of Bokchito | Bryan, Atoka | 18.8 mi (30.3 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
EF4  | May 9, 2016 | 1  | 0  | Katie | Garvin | 8.9 mi (14.3 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)
EF3  | 0  | 0  | N of Sulphur | Murray, Pontotoc | 16.6 mi (26.7 km)  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
EF3  | 1  | 0  | NW of Wapanucka | Johnston, Coal | 9.1 mi (14.6 km)  | 700 yd (640 m)
EF3  | 0  | 2  | S of Boswell | Bryan, Choctaw | 13.8 mi (22.2 km)  | 3100 yd (2800 m)
EF3  | April 30, 2019  | 2  | 16  | SW to N of Bokchito | Bryan, Atoka | 27.6 mi (44.4 km)  | 1400 yd (1300 m)
EF3  | May 23, 2019  | 0  | 0  | SW of Laverne | Beaver, Ellis, Harper | 15.7 mi (25.3 km)‡  | 1500 yd (1400 m)
EF3  | May 25, 2019  | 2  | 29  | S of El Reno | Canadian | 2.2 mi (3.5 km)  | 75 yd (69 m)
EF4  | November 4, 2022 | 0  | 1  | Sawyer | Choctaw | 44.7 mi (71.9 km)‡  | 1700 yd (1600 m)
EF4  | 1  | 13  | Idabel | McCurtain | 60.9 mi (98.0 km)‡  | 1056 yd (966 m)
EF3  | April 29, 2023  | 2  | 0  | Cole | Cleveland | 10.9 mi (17.5 km)  | 1200 yd (1100 m)
EF3  | 0  | 0  | S of Pink | Pottawatomie | 0.6 mi (0.97 km)  | 250 yd (230 m)
EF3  | April 27, 2024 | 1  | 30  | Sulphur | Murray, Pontotoc | 9.9 mi (15.9 km)  | 440 yd (400 m)
EF3  | 2  | 4  | W of Holdenville | Hughes, Okfuskee | 27.9 mi (44.9 km)  | 1760 yd (1610 m)
EF4  | 1  | 6  | Marietta to Baum | Love, Carter | 26.8 mi (43.1 km)  | 900 yd (820 m)
EF4  | May 6, 2024 | 2  | 33  | Barnsdall | Osage, Washington | 40.8 mi (65.7 km)  | 1700 yd (1600 m)
EF3  | November 3, 2024 | 0  | 6  | E of Oklahoma City | Cleveland, Oklahoma | 2.4 mi (3.9 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)
EF3  | 0  | 0  | S of Comanche | Stephens | 22 mi (35 km)  | 500 yd (460 m)
EF3  | 0  | 5  | Harrah | Oklahoma, Lincoln | 25.1 mi (40.4 km)  | 1000 yd (910 m)
EF3  | May 18, 2025 | 0  | 0  | SE of Arnett | Ellis | 6 mi (9.7 km)  | 50 yd (46 m)
EF3  | May 19, 2025 | 0  | 1  | E of Pittsburg | Pittsburg | 16.01 mi (25.77 km)  | 2972 yd (2718 m)

#### May 20, 2013

[edit]

Main article: 2013 Moore tornado

Tornado damage in Moore the following day, on May 21

In the afternoon hours of May 20, 2013, a large and violent EF5 tornado would again strike Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado had peak winds estimated at 210 miles per hour (340 km/h), killing 24 people (plus two indirect fatalities)[58] and injuring 212 others.[54] The tornado was part of a larger outbreak from a slow-moving weather system that had produced several other tornadoes across the Great Plains over the previous two days, including five that had struck portions of Central Oklahoma the day prior on May 19.[59]

The tornado touched down just northwest of Newcastle at 2:56 p.m. CDT (19:56 UTC), and quickly became violent, persisting for 39 minutes on a 13.85-mile (22.3 km) path through a heavily populated section of Moore, causing catastrophic damage of EF4 to EF5 intensity, before dissipating at 3:35 p.m. CDT (20:35 UTC) outside of Moore. The tornado was over one mile (1.6 km) across at its peak width.[60]: 13 The 2013 Moore tornado followed a roughly similar track to the deadlier 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado, which was rated F5; neither of the stricken schools in the area had acquired purpose-built storm shelters in the intervening years.[59]

The tornado caused catastrophic damage around the city of Moore, with 1,150 homes destroyed as a result. Damage estimates ranged up to $2 billion, making it the costliest tornado since the 2011 Joplin tornado. As of 2025, this tornado is the most recent to be rated EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.[55]

#### May 31, 2013

[edit]

Main article: 2013 El Reno tornado

Subvortices of the El Reno tornado

This rain-wrapped and extremely large multiple-vortex tornado was the widest tornado ever recorded and was part of a larger weather system that produced dozens of tornadoes over the preceding days. The tornado initially touched down at 6:03 p.m. Central Daylight Time (2303 UTC) about 8.3 miles (13.4 km) west-southwest of El Reno, rapidly growing in size and becoming more violent as it tracked through central portions of Canadian County. Remaining over mostly open terrain, the tornado did not impact many structures; however, measurements from mobile weather radars revealed extreme winds in excess of 313 mph (504 km/h) within the vortex. These are among the highest observed wind speeds on Earth, just slightly lower than the wind speeds of the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. As it crossed U.S. 81, it had grown to a record-breaking width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km), beating the previous width record set in 2004. Turning northeastward, the tornado soon weakened. Upon crossing Interstate 40, the tornado dissipated around 6:43 p.m. CDT (2343 UTC), after tracking for 16.2 miles (26.1 km), it avoided affecting the more densely populated areas near and within the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.[61]

The tornado killed four storm chasers (three professional and one amateur), the first known deaths in the history of storm chasing.[62] Although the tornado remained over mostly open terrain, dozens of storm chasers unaware of its immense size and erratic movement were caught off-guard. Near U.S. 81, TWISTEX scientist and engineer Tim Samaras, along with his son Paul and research partner Carl Young, died in the tornado. Paul Samaras and Young were ejected from their Chevrolet Cobalt by the storm's sub-vortex, while Tim was still buckled in the passenger's seat. Local resident Richard Henderson, who decided to follow the storm, lost his life in that same area. He snapped a picture of the tornado from his cellular phone before it struck him.[57] Other chasers, including Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel and Reed Timmer, were either injured or had their vehicles damaged. A Doppler on Wheels-based analysis of how the tornado impacted these teams revealed that they were hit by an intense internal sub-vortex.[63] Overall, the tornado was responsible for eight fatalities and 151 injuries.[64] Due to the ferocity and sheer size, as well as its irregular movement and the deaths linked with this tornado, it has become one of the most studied and infamous tornadoes ever. The National Weather Service referred to the tornado as "the most dangerous tornado in storm observing history."[61]

Alongside rush hour traffic, thousands of residents in Oklahoma City attempted to outrun the storm by taking to the roads in an attempt to drive out of the tornado's projected path. By attempting to escape the storm by vehicle, in direct contrast to the recommended plan of action, residents put themselves at great risk from the storm; had the tornado maintained itself and passed over the congested freeways, more than 500 lives could have been lost.[65]

### Other exceptional events

[edit]

F# | Date  | Deaths  | Injuries  | Location  | County  | Path length  | Max width  | Ref.

|
|
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|
|
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|

F2  | March 13, 1922  | 10  | 50  | Gowen | Latimer | 2.2 mi (3.5 km)  | 300 yd (270 m)  | [66]
This tornado, rated F2, killed ten people in the Gowen area along a 2.2 mi (3.5 km) path.
FU  | April 12, 1945  | 7  | 40  | Roland | Sequoyah | 10.9 mi (17.5 km)  | Unknown  | [67]
This strong tornado moved through Roland before crossing into Arkansas, hitting northwestern suburbs of Fort Smith. The tornado would kill a total of seven people, and injure 40 others.
F2  | April 29–30, 1970  | 0  | 2  | S of Altus to NW of Perkins | Jackson, Kiowa, Caddo, Grady, Canadian, Oklahoma, Logan, Payne | 140 mi (230 km)  | 400 yd (370 m)  | [68]
This tornado moved through eight counties spanning 140 mi (230 km) from Southern to Central Oklahoma, injuring two people. The tornado was on the ground for over three and a half hours.
EF2  | May 4, 2022  | 0  | 0  | E of Earlsboro | Pottawatomie | 3.4 mi (5.5 km)  | 150 yd (140 m)  | [69][70]
This tornado damaged buildings on the eastern side of Earlsboro before looping around to the north, hitting the town a second time. The tornado produced moderate damage to homes, and another EF2-rated tornado would directly impact Seminole on the same day.

## Tornadoes by county

[edit]

* Includes unofficially-rated tornado or tornadoes

Tornadoes in Oklahoma, by county (1875–2024)  County  | F0/EF0  | F1/EF1  | F2/EF2  | F3/EF3  | F4/EF4  | F5/EF5  | Total[71][note 5] | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Adair | 5  | 16  | 9  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 34  | [72]
Alfalfa | 19  | 14  | 12  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 49  | [73]
Atoka | 12  | 20  | 13  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 50  | [74]
Beaver | 43  | 15  | 10  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 74  | [75]
Beckham | 37  | 21  | 5  | 5  | 0  | 0  | 74  | [76]
Blaine | 19  | 21  | 8  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 52  | [77]
Bryan | 7  | 12  | 12  | 5  | 1  | 0  | 38  | [78]
Caddo | 59  | 33  | 26  | 8  | 2  | 0  | 131  | [79]
Canadian | 44  | 39  | 19  | 5  | 3  | 1  | 112  | [80]
Carter | 21  | 19  | 9  | 7  | 3  | 0  | 64  | [81]
Cherokee | 9  | 20  | 7  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 41  | [82]
Choctaw | 7  | 8  | 2  | 4  | 2  | 1  | 27  | [83]
Cimarron | 29  | 8  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 53  | [84]
Cleveland | 31  | 39  | 24  | 3  | 6  | 2  | 110  | [85]
Coal | 10  | 7  | 7  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 30  | [86]
Comanche | 29  | 22  | 10  | 1  | 1  | 0  | 68  | [87]
Cotton | 19  | 10  | 4  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 42  | [88]
Craig | 12  | 21  | 13  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 54  | [89]
Creek | 24  | 28  | 10  | 7  | 4  | 1  | 76  | [90]
Custer | 30  | 21  | 10  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 73  | [91]
Delaware | 11  | 28  | 18  | 8  | 0  | 0  | 66  | [92]
Dewey | 22  | 18  | 9  | 2  | 0  | 1* | 54  | [93]
Ellis | 38  | 23  | 14  | 3  | 0  | 1* | 78  | [94]
Garfield | 33  | 21  | 14  | 6  | 2  | 0  | 77  | [95]
Garvin | 18  | 28  | 12  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 63  | [96]
Grady | 22  | 37  | 19  | 7  | 2  | 1  | 96  | [97]
Grant | 35  | 18  | 7  | 8  | 1  | 0  | 71  | [98]
Greer | 22  | 10  | 7  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 46  | [99]
Harmon | 12  | 14  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 37  | [100]
Harper | 10  | 12  | 4  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 32  | [101]
Haskell | 17  | 12  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 33  | [102]
Hughes | 13  | 5  | 15  | 2  | 2  | 0  | 38  | [103]
Jackson | 37  | 16  | 17  | 5  | 2  | 1* | 79  | [104]
Jefferson | 18  | 12  | 4  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 43  | [105]
Johnston | 11  | 14  | 7  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 42  | [106]
Kay | 46  | 25  | 20  | 5  | 3  | 2  | 102  | [107]
Kingfisher | 37  | 21  | 15  | 4  | 1  | 1  | 83  | [108]
Kiowa | 46  | 27  | 10  | 5  | 2  | 1* | 95  | [109]
Latimer | 10  | 11  | 8  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 32  | [110]
LeFlore | 17  | 35  | 17  | 4  | 2  | 1  | 79  | [111]
Lincoln | 29  | 36  | 17  | 9  | 2  | 1  | 95  | [112]
Logan | 25  | 20  | 12  | 4  | 1  | 1  | 64  | [113]
Love | 11  | 10  | 5  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 33  | [114]
Major | 18  | 16  | 8  | 3  | 1  | 1* | 52  | [115]
Marshall | 14  | 8  | 8  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 36  | [116]
Mayes | 24  | 42  | 13  | 6  | 1  | 0  | 89  | [117]
McClain | 28  | 31  | 14  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 81  | [118]
McCurtain | 17  | 25  | 21  | 3  | 1  | 1  | 68  | [119]
McIntosh | 22  | 18  | 15  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 58  | [120]
Murray | 13  | 17  | 9  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 45  | [121]
Muskogee | 23  | 22  | 12  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 65  | [122]
Noble | 16  | 19  | 6  | 1  | 2  | 1  | 48  | [123]
Nowata | 15  | 15  | 9  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 46  | [124]
Okfuskee | 21  | 24  | 7  | 5  | 2  | 1  | 63  | [125]
Oklahoma | 42  | 47  | 23  | 19  | 3  | 1  | 137  | [126]
Okmulgee | 19  | 22  | 8  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 54  | [127]
Osage | 49  | 34  | 18  | 3  | 5  | 0  | 115  | [128]
Ottawa | 7  | 26  | 9  | 3  | 2  | 0  | 49  | [129]
Pawnee | 16  | 7  | 4  | 0  | 3  | 0  | 30  | [130]
Payne | 18  | 24  | 12  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 61  | [131]
Pittsburg | 32  | 36  | 13  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 85  | [132]
Pontotoc | 21  | 21  | 15  | 7  | 1  | 0  | 67  | [133]
Pottawatomie | 26  | 22  | 23  | 8  | 6  | 1  | 93  | [134]
Pushmataha | 11  | 22  | 13  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 49  | [135]
Roger Mills | 19  | 17  | 15  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 55  | [136]
Rogers | 14  | 38  | 18  | 6  | 2  | 0  | 80  | [137]
Seminole | 16  | 21  | 19  | 9  | 3  | 0  | 68  | [138]
Sequoyah | 17  | 20  | 8  | 5  | 3  | 0  | 55  | [139]
Stephens | 21  | 23  | 14  | 8  | 0  | 0  | 75  | [140]
Texas | 47  | 19  | 7  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 75  | [141]
Tillman | 34  | 28  | 10  | 4  | 3  | 0  | 90  | [142]
Tulsa | 33  | 29  | 21  | 8  | 2  | 0  | 98  | [143]
Wagoner | 23  | 21  | 14  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 64  | [144]
Washington | 10  | 17  | 8  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 39  | [145]
Washita | 15  | 21  | 8  | 6  | 1  | 0  | 58  | [146]
Woods | 19  | 22  | 12  | 2  | 0  | 2* | 56  | [147]
Woodward | 40  | 16  | 3  | 4  | 0  | 2* | 43  | [148]
Total  | 1,766  | 1,637  | 889  | 309  | 113  | 28  | 4,937  | [note 6]

## Tornadoes by month

[edit]

Tornadoes in Oklahoma, by month (1950–present)[6] | January  | February  | March  | April  | May  | June  | July  | August  | September  | October  | November  | December

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

No. of tornadoes  | 30  | 64  | 287  | 926  | 1,830  | 539  | 122  | 97  | 125  | 197  | 155  | 38
Highest year  | 2023  | 2023  | 1991  | 2024  | 2019  | 1995  | 1956  | 1979  | 1992  | 2021  | 2024  | 2022
Max F/EF#  | F4  | EF4  | F5  | F5[note 7] | EF5[note 8] | F4[note 9] | EF4  | EF4  | F4[note 10] | F4[note 11] | EF4[note 12] | EF3

## Longest span without a tornado

[edit]

The longest timespan without a single tornado reported in Oklahoma was from May 17, 2003 to March 3, 2004, or 291 days.[149] The run was ended on March 4, 2004, when an F0 tornado touched down near Muldrow.[150]

Longet consecutive timespan without a tornado in Oklahoma[149] No. of days  | Start date  | End date

|
|

292  | May 17, 2003  | March 3, 2004
248  | August 8, 2013  | April 12, 2014
248  | July 16, 1990  | March 20, 1991
245  | July 4, 2016  | March 5, 2017
234  | July 4, 1976  | February 22, 1977
220  | August 24, 1977  | March 31, 1978
200  | August 8, 1955  | February 23, 1956
193  | September 6, 1978  | March 17, 1979
192  | October 22, 2017  | May 1, 2018
189  | October 11, 1969  | April 17, 1970

## See also

[edit]

* List of tornadoes in Cleveland County, Oklahoma
* List of Ohio tornadoes
* List of Texas tornadoes

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Official ratings were assigned after 1950.[4] Prior to that, ratings are assigned by tornado historian Thomas P. Grazulis.[5]
2. ^ As of July 2025, this tornado is the deadliest in Oklahoma history.
3. ^ The majority of deaths occurred when the tornado struck Udall, Kansas.
4. ^ The majority of deaths occurred when the tornado impacted Wichita Falls, Texas.
5. ^ Due to the existence of unrated (F?/EF?) and unknown (FU/EFU) tornadoes, the total numbers are inconsistent with the count of rated tornadoes.
6. ^ Due to some tornadoes crossing county lines, some tornadoes are counted more than once.
7. ^ F5 tornadoes touched down in April of 1939, 1945, 1947 and 1982.
8. ^ F5 tornadoes touched down in May of 1905, 1947, twice in 1955, 1960 and 1999. EF5 tornadoes touched down in May of 2011 and 2013.
9. ^ F4 tornadoes touched down in June of 1917, twice in 1928, 1935 and 1942.
10. ^ F4 tornadoes touched down in September of 1957 and 1959.
11. ^ F4 tornadoes touched down in October of 1914 and 1970.
12. ^ EF4 tornadoes touched down in November 2011 and twice in 2022.

### Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ "Monthly/Annual statistics for Tornadoes in Oklahoma (1950–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
2. ^ "Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
3. ^ "2024 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
4. ^ McCarthy, Daniel. "NWS Tornado Surveys and the Impact on the National Tornado" (PDF). www.spc.noaa.gov.
5. ^ Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 978-1-879362-03-1.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Monthly/Annual statistics for Tornadoes in Oklahoma (1950–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
7. ^ "Oklahoma Event Report: F3 Tornado". National Weather Service. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
8. ^ a b "The Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of May 3–4, 1999: Storm A Information". National Weather Service Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
9. ^ a b "Top Ten Costliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1950–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
10. ^ Wurman, Joshua; C. Alexander; P. Robinson; Y. Richardson (January 2007). "Low-Level Winds in Tornadoes and Potential Catastrophic Tornado Impacts in Urban Areas". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 88 (1). American Meteorological Society: 31–46\. Bibcode:2007BAMS...88...31W. doi:10.1175/BAMS-88-1-31.
11. ^ "EF4 tornado on May. 10, 2008 16:25 PM CDT". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
12. ^ "10 Costliest U.S. Tornadoes". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
13. ^ "These States Have Had the Most Violent Tornadoes Since 1950". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
14. ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "Where was 'Twisters' filmed? Summer blockbuster puts Oklahoma locations in spotlight". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
15. ^ Sharma, Dhruv (August 3, 2022). "Twister (1996): Where Was the Movie Filmed?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
16. ^ McDonnell, Brandy (October 29, 2021). "Twister's path: Oklahoma-made tornado movie '13 Minutes' stars Anne Heche, Amy Smart and more". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
17. ^ Rose, Marni (August 20, 2024). "Map shows states with the most tornados". Newsweek. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
18. ^ "Tornado Alley: The Most Tornado Prone Region In The World". www.worldatlas.com. September 16, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
19. ^ "2024 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
20. ^ "2019 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
21. ^ "1999 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
22. ^ "2011 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
23. ^ "2015 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
24. ^ "1957 Oklahoma Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
26. ^ "Top Ten Costliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1950–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
27. ^ "25 Years Since One of Oklahoma's Most Infamous Tornadoes". KLAW 101. April 26, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
28. ^ "Stillwater, Oklahoma Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
29. ^ "Murray County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
30. ^ a b "The Snyder, Oklahoma Tornado of 10 May 1905". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
31. ^ a b c d e f "Storm Events Database". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Retrieved January 26, 2025.
32. ^ a b c d Grazulis, Thomas P. (1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
33. ^ a b c "The Snyder, Oklahoma Tornado of 10 May 1905". National Weather Service – Norman, OK. NOAA. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
34. ^ "March 25, 1948 – The First Tornado Forecast". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
35. ^ a b McDermott, Pat (July 28, 1951). "Flash-Tornado Warning!". The Saturday Evening Post. pp. 17–19, 53–57\. Archived from the original on October 2, 1999. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
36. ^ a b c Multiple sources:
* Burgess, Donald W. "The Woodward Tornado of 9 April 1947". Norman, OK Weather Forecast Office. Norman, Oklahoma: National Weather Service. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
* Dreyer, Donna (July 21, 2000). "Intro to April 9, 1947 Tornado in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas". ALHN Woodward County Pages. Plains Indian and Pioneer Museum. Archived from the original on June 2, 2001. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
* "F5/EF-5 Tornadoes in Oklahoma (1905–Present)". Norman, OK Weather Forecast Office. Norman, Oklahoma: National Weather Service. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
* "Levi Holt Tells of Glazier Storm". The Hemphill County News. Texas. April 25, 1947.
* Mike Coppock, Sixty years after Woodward tornado, girl's kidnapping unsolved. Archived 2014-10-17 at the Wayback Machine Oklahoma Gazette, April 3, 2007.
* "Santa Fe is Commended for Relief Work". The Amarillo Globe. Amarillo, Texas. April 15, 1947.
* "Survivors Wander Dazed and Helpless at Ruins". The Amarillo Globe-Times. Amarillo, Texas. April 10, 1947.
* "Stunned Victims Unable To Comprehend Disaster". The Amarillo Daily News. Amarillo, Texas. April 11, 1947.
* "Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882–Present)". National Weather Service Norman, Oklahoma. Norman, Oklahoma: National Weather Service. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
* Schaad, Vernon W.; Lloyd, J. R.; Winburn, Henry C. (April 1947). "Woodward Tornado of April 9, 1947" (PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau (USWB). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
* Woman may be girl stolen after tornado. Rome News-Tribune, April 15, 1994.
37. ^ a b Branick, Michael L. (December 22, 2008). "Tornadoes in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Area Since 1890". Norman, Oklahoma: National Weather Service. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
38. ^ a b Miller, Col. Robert C. "Description of Historical Events Relating to Tornado Forecasting in the Late 1940s and Early 1950s". The Unfriendly Sky. National Severe Storms Laboratory. Archived from the original on February 23, 1999. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
39. ^ a b c Grazulis, Thomas P (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
40. ^ Storm Electricity Aspects of the Blackwell/Udall Storm of 25 May 1955 – Don Burgess, University of Oklahoma (CIMMS)
41. ^ Grazulis, Thomas P (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, VT: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
42. ^ "The Indefinitive List of the Strongest Tornadoes Ever Recorded (Pre-1970): Part II |". Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
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44. ^ "1955 Udall Tornado | Wichita Eagle". Archived from the original on November 19, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
45. ^ Minick, Jim. "Without Warning". p. 81, 85.
46. ^ Hrenchir, Tim. "Here are 10 numbers to know about Kansas' history with tornadoes". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
47. ^ "The Red River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 10 April 1979". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
48. ^ a b c Grazulis, Thomas P. (2023). Significant Tornadoes 1974–2022. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project. p. 637\. ISBN 978-1-879362-01-7.
49. ^ a b "The Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of May 3–4, 1999: Storm A Information". National Weather Service Forecast Office, Norman, Oklahoma. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
50. ^ "The 10 Costliest U.S. Tornadoes since 1950". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
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53. ^ "Enhanced Fujita Scale". Environment Canada. May 10, 2013.
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55. ^ a b Henson, Bob (May 25, 2021). "It's been a record-long time since the last EF5 tornado. What does that mean? » Yale Climate Connections". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
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63. ^ Joshua Wurman; Karen Kosiba; Paul Robinson; Tim Marshall (2014). "The Role of Multiple-Vortex Tornado Structure in Causing Storm Researcher Fatalities". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 95 (1). BAMS American Meteorological Society: 31–45\. Bibcode:2014BAMS...95...31W. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00221.1.
64. ^ Mark Johnson (September 1, 2013). "Historic El Reno, OK tornado is downgraded by National Weather Service". WEWS-TV. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
65. ^ Jeff Masters (June 1, 2013). "A Night of Tornado Chaos in Oklahoma City: 9 Killed, 71 Injured". Weather Underground. The Weather Company. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
66. ^ "Lompoc Review 17 March 1922". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
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68. ^ "Storm Data Volume 12 No. 4 April 1970". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
69. ^ Sistek, Scott (May 5, 2022). "'Tornadoes do weird things': Oklahoma twister does mile-wide loop". FOX Weather. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
70. ^ Sistek, Scott (May 4, 2022). "Oklahoma town struck by 2 tornadoes in nearly 48 hours". FOX Weather. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
71. ^ "Oklahoma Tornadoes by County and Month (1950–2024)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
72. ^ "Adair County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
73. ^ "Alfalfa County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
74. ^ "Atoka County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
75. ^ "Beaver County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
76. ^ "Beckham County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
77. ^ "Blaine County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
78. ^ "Bryan County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
79. ^ "Caddo County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
80. ^ "Canadian County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
81. ^ "Carter County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
82. ^ "Cherokee County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
83. ^ "Choctaw County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
84. ^ "Cimarron County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
85. ^ "Cleveland County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
86. ^ "Coal County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
87. ^ "Comanche County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
88. ^ "Cotton County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
89. ^ "Craig County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
90. ^ "Creek County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
91. ^ "Creek County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
92. ^ "Delaware County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
93. ^ "Dewey County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
94. ^ "Ellis County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
95. ^ "Garfield County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
96. ^ "Garvin County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
97. ^ "Grady County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
98. ^ "Grant County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
99. ^ "Greer County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
100. ^ "Harmon County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
101. ^ "Harper County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
102. ^ "Haskell County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
103. ^ "Hughes County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
104. ^ "Jackson County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
105. ^ "Jefferson County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
106. ^ "Johnston County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
107. ^ "Kay County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
108. ^ "Kingfisher County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
109. ^ "Kingfisher County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
110. ^ "Latimer County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
111. ^ "LeFlore County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
112. ^ "Lincoln County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
113. ^ "Logan County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
114. ^ "Love County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
115. ^ "Major County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
116. ^ "Marshall County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
117. ^ "Mayes County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
118. ^ "McClain County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
119. ^ "McCurtain County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
120. ^ "McIntosh County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
121. ^ "Murray County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
122. ^ "Muskogee County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
123. ^ "Noble County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
124. ^ "Nowata County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
125. ^ "Okfuskee County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
126. ^ "Oklahoma County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
127. ^ "Okmulgee County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
128. ^ "Osage County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
129. ^ "Ottawa County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
130. ^ "Pawnee County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
131. ^ "Payne County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
132. ^ "Pittsburg County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
133. ^ "Pontotoc County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
134. ^ "Pottawatomie County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
135. ^ "Pushmataha County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
136. ^ "Roger Mills County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
137. ^ "Rogers County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
138. ^ "Seminole County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
139. ^ "Sequoyah County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
140. ^ "Stephens County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
141. ^ "Texas County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
142. ^ "Tillman County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
143. ^ "Tulsa County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
144. ^ "Wagoner County, OK Tornadoes (1875–Present)". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
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* v
* t
* e

List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks

Canada|

* (before 2001)
* (after 2001)

United States|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* California
* Connecticut
* Hawaii
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Michigan
* New Jersey
* New York
* Ohio
* Oklahoma (Cleveland County)
* Rhode Island
* Texas
* Washington, D.C.
* Washington
* West Virginia

Other areas|

* Bermuda

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