Oklahoma has seen its fair share of destructive storms throughout history, making it one of the most tornado-prone states in the United States.
These storms have left significant impacts on both urban and rural areas, affecting countless lives and properties.
Understanding which storms were the biggest helps appreciate the state’s weather patterns and preparedness efforts.
This article explores the ten largest storms to ever hit Oklahoma, offering an insight into their magnitude and the aftermath they caused.
1. 1905 Snyder Tornado
The 1905 Snyder tornado struck the town of Snyder, Oklahoma, on May 10, 1905. This powerful cyclone hit the town and caused widespread devastation.
The tornado killed 97 people, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in Oklahoma’s history.
Buildings were flattened, and the community was left in ruins.
Snyder, located in Kiowa County, was among several areas affected during a multiple-day tornado outbreak.
The damage was so severe that the true number of victims may never be known.
For further details, you can read more about the Snyder, Oklahoma Tornado and the 1905 Snyder tornado on Wikipedia.
2. 1917 Mattoon-Evansville Tornado
The 1917 Mattoon-Evansville Tornado struck on May 26, 1917. It started near Mattoon, Illinois, and moved eastward through the city, causing widespread devastation.
This tornado is known for being part of a larger outbreak that also impacted parts of the Southeastern United States.
In Mattoon, the tornado carved a half-mile wide path, resulting in extensive damage and significant loss of life.
Winds reached speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, making it one of the most powerful storms recorded in the region.
The tornado eventually moved towards Evansville. The storm caused 108 fatalities and injured approximately 638 people across central Illinois, primarily affecting the Mattoon and Charleston areas.
This event remains one of the deadliest tornado disasters in Illinois history.
More details can be found on Mattoon History Center and National Weather Service.
3. 1947 Woodward Tornado
The 1947 Woodward Tornado is known as the deadliest tornado in Oklahoma’s history. It struck on April 9, 1947, originating in the Texas Panhandle and moving through Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
This tornado was part of a series of tornadoes produced by a single supercell. The path of destruction was about 220 miles long.
The Woodward tornado caused significant damage and loss of life.
In Woodward, Oklahoma, the tornado reached an F5 intensity. It resulted in 116 fatalities and injuries to 782 people.
Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, and the community faced a long recovery.
The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward tornadoes, linked to this storm, were powerful and long-lasting. Most of the severe damage and almost all the deaths were attributed to the primary Woodward tornado.
For more detailed information, visit the National Weather Service.
4. 1955 Blackwell Tornado
The 1955 Blackwell Tornado is remembered as one of the deadliest storms in Oklahoma’s history. It struck the town of Blackwell on May 25, 1955, causing widespread destruction.
This F5 tornado was part of the Great Plains tornado outbreak and led to significant casualties.
The tornado decimated much of Blackwell, Oklahoma, with its incredible force.
The impact was devastating, leaving homes and buildings in ruins. The tornado claimed many lives and injured hundreds more.
It remains a significant event in the state’s history, marked by its sheer power and the tragic loss it inflicted on the community.
More details and historical context can be found at the Blackwell Journal-Tribune and KFOR.
5. 1973 Union City Tornado
The 1973 Union City Tornado struck on May 24, 1973. Classified as an F4, the tornado caused significant destruction in Union City, Oklahoma.
It traveled 13.3 miles, reaching a maximum width of 300 yards.
Researchers from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory captured the tornado with Doppler radar. This was a groundbreaking moment in weather science, helping to improve severe weather tracking.
Two people lost their lives, and four others were injured during this devastating event.
For more information, the tornado’s impact is documented in detail here.
6. 1984 Tulsa Tornado
In 1984, a powerful tornado struck Tulsa, Oklahoma, causing significant damage.
The tornado hit on the night of August 19, leading to extensive property destruction.
The tornado was classified as an F3, with winds reaching speeds of 158-206 mph.
Several homes and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were also brought down.
This tornado is remembered for its impact on Tulsa’s community.
Emergency services were quick to respond, helping residents and beginning cleanup efforts almost immediately. Despite the damage, the city showed remarkable resilience.
The 1984 Tulsa Tornado remains one of the most significant storms in Oklahoma’s history, marking a key event in the region’s severe weather chronicles.
For more details on severe weather in Tulsa, you can visit the Tulsa County, OK Tornadoes page.
7. 1991 Andover Tornado
The 1991 Andover tornado was part of a regional outbreak from April 26 to 27, 1991. It affected areas in Oklahoma and Kansas, leading to widespread damage.
The tornado hit the area around Andover and Wichita, Kansas, causing severe destruction.
Moving through a moist and unstable environment, it resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities.
In Andover, 17 people lost their lives, and more than 225 were injured.
This tornado outbreak confirmed 55 tornadoes, many of which were powerful, ranking F2 or greater on the Fujita scale.
For more information on this tornado, visit the April 26, 1991 tornado outbreak on KOCO 5 News.
The event significantly impacted the regions it touched, reminding residents of the devastating power of such natural disasters.
8. 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado
The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado was one of the most powerful tornadoes recorded in history. It reached wind speeds of 321 miles per hour, measured by Doppler on Wheels radar.
On May 3, 1999, this F5 tornado tore through southern Oklahoma City, including the areas of Bridge Creek, Newcastle, and Moore. Its path of destruction extended 38 miles.
The tornado was part of a large outbreak that spawned nearly 60 tornadoes in central Oklahoma.
Tragically, it resulted in 36 fatalities and left hundreds injured.
Buildings, homes, and infrastructure were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
The tornado remains a significant event in Oklahoma’s storm history due to its severity and impact.
More details about this historic tornado can be found on Wikipedia.
9. 2011 El Reno Tornado
The 2011 El Reno tornado was a devastating EF5 tornado that struck central Oklahoma on May 24, 2011.
This tornado had an incredibly long path, traveling over 60 miles and severely impacting areas near El Reno, Piedmont, and Guthrie.
The tornado set a record for the fastest wind speed ever measured in Oklahoma, clocking in at 151 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, it resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to 181 more.
This event was part of a larger tornado outbreak that day.
Its destructive power left a significant mark on the region, remembering for its intensity and the record-breaking wind speeds measured.
Witnesses recall the incredible damage it caused in several locations along its path.
More details can be found on the National Weather Service page.
10. 2013 El Reno Tornado
The 2013 El Reno tornado struck on May 31, 2013, in Central Oklahoma. This tornado was extraordinary both in size and power.
With a maximum width of 2.6 miles, it was the largest tornado ever recorded. The tornado’s winds reached astonishing speeds, up to 313 miles per hour.
Its path was erratic, making it difficult for meteorologists to predict.
The tornado touched down in the evening at 6:03 p.m. CDT and lasted just over 15 minutes, causing extensive damage.
This storm was part of a larger outbreak that included numerous tornadoes across the region.
The El Reno tornado is remembered not only for its size but also for its devastating impact on the area.
Geographical Impact
Oklahoma’s varied terrain has influenced how storms develop and travel. Key factors include regional vulnerabilities and the paths that storms generally follow.
Regional Vulnerabilities
The state of Oklahoma is situated in an area known as “Tornado Alley,” which makes it particularly prone to severe storms.
The combination of dry air from the High Plains and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico creates conditions ideal for tornado development.
Western Oklahoma often experiences more intense storms due to its proximity to the Texas Panhandle, where many supercell thunderstorms originate.
Urban areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa also face heightened risks due to population density, which can lead to greater damage and loss of life during major storms.
Eastern Oklahoma, while less prone than the western part, still faces significant dangers.
The Green Country region, known for its hills and forests, can experience strong storms that lead to flash flooding and wind damage.
Storm Paths and Trajectories
Tornadoes in Oklahoma often follow a northeast trajectory, beginning in the southwestern part of the state.
This pattern was evident in the infamous 1947 Woodward tornado, which started in the Texas Panhandle and moved northeast into Oklahoma, causing widespread destruction.
The 2013 El Reno tornado, recorded as the widest tornado ever, also demonstrated the common path of large storms, impacting rural areas before heading towards more populated regions.
Most storms travel parallel to major highways such as I-44, which connects several large cities.
This alignment can lead to greater infrastructure damage and poses significant risks to travelers on these routes. Understanding these trajectories helps in preparing for and responding to severe weather events effectively.
Meteorological Factors
Oklahoma’s severe storms are influenced by several meteorological factors. The state’s location and climate conditions make it a prime spot for powerful weather events.
Additionally, specific weather patterns play a significant role in the formation of these storms.
Climate Conditions
Oklahoma’s climate is marked by its position in the Tornado Alley region. This area is particularly susceptible to severe weather due to the meeting of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada.
The contrast between these air masses creates an unstable atmosphere conducive to storm development.
The state experiences a relatively dry climate overall, but spring and early summer bring a marked increase in humidity and temperature.
This seasonal shift contributes to the development of supercell thunderstorms, which can produce tornadoes and other severe weather events.
Temperature variability also plays a role, as sharp changes can trigger storm systems.
Extreme heat in summer and cold fronts in winter are other factors. These seasonal extremes can exacerbate conditions that lead to severe storms, making Oklahoma one of the most tornado-prone states in the U.S.
Weather Patterns
Weather patterns significantly affect the severity and frequency of storms in Oklahoma.
The presence of the jet stream is critical, as it often guides storm systems into the region.
When the jet stream dips south, it can pull cold air from the north and collide with warm air in the area, generating severe storms.
Troughs and ridges in the upper atmosphere also impact storm development.
Troughs, which are elongated areas of low pressure, can enhance lift in the atmosphere, leading to stronger storm systems.
Conversely, ridges, or areas of high pressure, can suppress storm formation.
The state’s topography, including flat plains and few natural barriers, allows storms to maintain intensity as they move.
This unimpeded movement means storms can travel longer distances and affect larger areas.
Patterns such as La Niña and El Niño also influence weather.
During La Niña years, cooler sea surface temperatures in the Pacific can lead to more frequent and intense storms in the central United States, affecting Oklahoma directly.