National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms in West-Central Texas; Critical Fire Weather Threat in the Rockies and Plains

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts will be possible this evening across west-central Texas. Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions will persist across the southern Rockies and portions of the southern Plains through this weekend. Read More >

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Tornado Track Map for Pottawatomie County, OK
 
Pottawatomie County, OK Tornadoes Prior to 1950
# Date Time
(CST)
Path
Length
(miles)
Path
Width
(yards)
F-Scale Killed Injured County Path
  04/25/1893 1830 45     31 many Cleveland/ Pottawatomie SW of Moore - near "Case" (12 E Moore)
  03/04/1894 2030 15 440   1 3 Pottawatomie Shawnee
  05/08/1909             Pottawatomie Near McComb
  06/14/1916 0330       0   Pottawatomie Near Wanette
  04/30/1918 1500 17 400       Pottawatomie/ Lincoln NE of Shawnee - E of Prague
  03/28/1924 1545 50 200   8 60 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln Near Noble - Shawnee - near Prague
  07/24/1931 2000 1 50   0 0 Pottawatomie 8 NW Shawnee
  06/09/1937 1930 10 440   0 5 Pottawatomie Maud (possibly 3 killed)
  05/04/1941 1630 10 350   1 3 Pottawatomie .5 E Macomb
  05/04/1941 1700 2 33   0 1 Pottawatomie Tecumseh > NE
  05/02/1942 1530 60 1230   16 many Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Okfuskee/ Creek Near McLoud - Paden - Boley - Childsville - Welty - near Tuskegee
  05/26/1944 1900   150   0 2 Pottawatomie NW of Shawnee
  05/24/1946 1530 6 100   0 0 Pottawatomie Near Shawnee
  04/30/1949 1455 52* 250   3 56 McClain/ Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 5 S Blanchard - W of Norman; S of McLoud - E of Meeker (likely separate events)
  04/30/1949 1645 8 2250   0 0 Pottawatomie Near Econtuchka
  08/13/1949 1100 0.5 n   0 0 Pottawatomie 6 N Shawnee
Pottawatomie County, OK Tornadoes (1950-Present*)
# Date Time
(CST)
Path
Length
(miles)
Path
Width
(yards)
F-Scale Killed Injured County Path
1 12/02/1953 2130 1.5 880 F1 0 1 Pottawatomie Shawnee
2 05/01/1954 1800 59 10 F4 0 65 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Creek NE of Dale - Meeker - Sparks - Davenport - near Depew
3 04/26/1955 1200 0.1 10 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie near Shawnee
4 05/26/1955 0330 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie near Shawnee
5 01/22/1957 0330 64 440 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Hughes/ Okfuskee/ McIntosh Near St. Louis - Wewoka - Wetumka - Weleetka – Ryal [likely tornado family]
6 04/02/1957 1840 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 W Asher
7 05/24/1957 1800 31 440 F2 0 0 Garvin/ McClain/ Pottawatomie SW of Wynnewood - Wynnewood; S of Wanette - Wanette - 6 NW McComb
8 09/14/1957 1730 68 440 F4 2 6 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Hughes Southern Cleveland County NW of Wayne - near Sacred Heart - near Konawa - near Wetumka
9 09/14/1957 1756 0.5 43 F2 0 3 Pottawatomie Bethel (5 W Shawnee)
10 05/04/1960 2005 8 10 F4 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole 2 W- 5 N Konawa
11 05/05/1960 1500 102 400 F3 0 0 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Creek/ Tulsa SW of Corbett - Tribbey- Macomb -2 W Tecumseh; near Bellmont - Depew - 4 W Sand Springs [tornado family]
12 05/05/1960 1700 72 800 F5 5 81 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Okfuskee/ Creek S of Shawnee- between Paden and Prague- Iron Post- Sapulpa- NE of Sapulpa
13 02/17/1961 1815 73 300 F3 0 11 Garvin/ Pontotoc/ Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Hughes/ Okfuskee/ Okmulgee Stratford - Konawa - Wewoka - S of Schulter [tornado family.]
14 02/17/1961 1900 7 10 F2 0 1 Pottawatomie 9 W- 4 NW Shawnee
15 05/08/1961 0150 0.1 10 F? 0 0 Pottawatomie 5 S Tecumseh
16 05/26/1962 0040 0.1 10 F? 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 WSW Dale
17 05/26/1962 0050 0.1 10 F? 0 0 Pottawatomie 9 WSW Macomb
18 05/28/1962 1720 0.1 10 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 N Shawnee
19 05/28/1962 2140 0.1 10 F? 0 0 Pottawatomie Near Asher
20 05/26/1963 1730 3 10 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 ESE Tecumseh - between Hotulko and Harjo
21 05/26/1963 1800 0.1 10 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 NNW Maud
22 04/14/1965 1834 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie 8 W Tecumseh
23 04/14/1965 1845 0.1 23 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 SW Shawnee
24 05/09/1965 1515 0.1 100 F2 0 3 Pottawatomie 6 SW Shawnee
25 05/18/1965 1820 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie Near Bellmont
26 05/27/1965 2225 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie SW of Asher
27 06/11/1967 1705 0.5 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie Near Bethel Acres
28 05/13/1968 1345 12 100 F3 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole 5 WSW- 6 NNE Konawa
29 10/05/1970 1540 24 200 F2 0 1 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 5 NE Lexington - 8 SE Tecumseh
30 10/05/1970 1542 25 150 F4 4 84 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Okfuskee Shawnee- Prague- 2 N Paden
31 06/08/1974 1850 2 800 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 SSW McLoud
32 06/29/1976 1810 1.5 30 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie 5 NW Shawnee
33 06/29/1976 1815 0.1 30 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie Near McLoud
34 05/21/1977 0030 9 100 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 SW - ~6 NE Shawnee
35 04/10/1979 1845 5 100 F2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 5 SW- 2 SW Prague
36 04/10/1979 2005 0.2 13 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole N of Maud
37 04/10/1979 2005 0.2 13 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie W of Maud
38 05/17/1981 1810 10 587 F3 0 6 Pottawatomie 4 SSW Tecumseh - ~3 NW Earlsboro
39 05/23/1981 1725 0.1 10 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie Near Shawnee
40 05/23/1981 1730 0.1 10 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie Shawnee (N of I-40 and Kickapoo)
41 06/14/1981 2150 0.1 10 F0 0 0 Pottawatomie Near Shawnee
42 11/19/1985 0610 0.3 70 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 N Earlsboro
43 05/16/1986 2310 0.5 73 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie S of Macomb
44 03/13/1990 1759-1845 19 200 F2 0 1 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 1 SW Stella- Stella- 4 W Meeker
45 06/08/1998 1811-1815 4 50 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole 3 WSW - 1 SE Maud
46 10/04/1998 2050-2055 3 100 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie NW Shawnee
47 10/04/1998 2058-2100 2 100 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie SE Shawnee
48 10/04/1998 2108-2125 10 880 F3 0 1 Seminole/ Pottawatomie 5 WNW Little - Center View - 3 SE Prague
49 05/03/1999 1934-1952 9 30 F1 0 0 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 1 N Etowah - Pink - 2 NNE Pink
50 05/03/1999 2005-2020 7 250 F2 1 10 Pottawatomie 2 N Bethel Acres - NW Shawnee - 7 E McLoud
51 05/03/1999 2020-2045 11 100 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 6 NNW Downtown Shawnee - SE Meeker - 4 NE Meeker
52 04/11/2001 0200-0206 5 50 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 NW Maud - 1.5 NNW Harjo
53 05/16/2003 1205-1217 5 40 F1 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 3.7 S - 2.2 ENE Prague (13.2 E Aydelotte - 2.2 ENE Prague)
54 05/07/2007 0215 0.1 20 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 WSW Dale
55 05/10/2010 1632-1659 22 880 EF4 1 32 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie Norman (near SH-9/Jenkins) - Little Axe - 4 E Pink
56 05/10/2010 1639-1659 17 440 EF2 0 3 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 7 ESE Noble - Norman (east) - 4 E Pink
57 05/10/2010 1648-1702 7 880 EF3 0 3 Pottawatomie 4.5 NNW Pink - 5 NW Shawnee
58 05/10/2010 1656-1747 37 2200 EF3 0 28 Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Okfuskee 3 WSW Tecumseh - Tecumseh - 3.5 N Bearden
59 05/24/2011 1736-1739 2 50 EF2 0 32 Pottawatomie 4.5 SSW - 3.5 S McLoud
60 04/13/2012 1624 0.2 20 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 E Dale
61 05/19/2013 1700-1750 23 1500 EF4 2 10 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie Norman (9 E Downtown) - 6.5 ESE McLoud
62 05/19/2013 1740-1743 2 30 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 SSE - 2.5 SE Dale
63 05/19/2013 1759-1812 7 450 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 6 WSW - 2.5 N Prague
64 05/19/2015 1519 0.1 20 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 NW Macomb
65 05/02/2018 2019-2020 0.8 50 EF1 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 ENE Macomb - 2 S Brooksville
66 05/21/2019 0333-0342 2.6 400 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie 1 E - 3 NE Dale
67 05/21/2019 0350-0355 2.3 30 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 3.5 SE - 2.5 E Meeker
68 10/10/2021 1941-1943 1.6 50 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 1.5 SSW - 0.5 W Dale
69 10/10/2021 1954-1958 1.6 50 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 WSW - 0.5 NW Johnson
70 05/04/2022 1723-1733 4.6 100 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 WNW - 1.5 NNW Maud
71 05/04/2022 1737-1740 1 100 EF? 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 NNW - 3 N Maud
72 05/04/2022 1907-1922 2.3 100 EF1 0 0 Pottawatomie 1 ENE Brooksville - 4 SSE Tecumseh
73 05/04/2022 1928-1935 3.4 150 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie 1 SSE Earlsboro - Earlsboro
74 05/04/2022 1935-1950 5 175 EF1 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole 1 SE Earlsboro - 3 NW Seminole
75 10/24/2022 0932-0932 0.1 10 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 E Macomb
76 12/13/2022 0546-0547 0.6 30 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 5 WSW Wanette
77 02/26/2023 2142-2148 6 440 EF1 0 0 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 2 SSE Newalla - 2 NNW Dale
78 02/26/2023 2145-2151 6 200 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 3 SSW Aydelotte - 2 SSE Meeker
79 04/19/2023 1947-1959 4 2200 EF2 0 0 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 2 ENE Etowah - 4 S Pink
80 04/19/2023 2004-2009 0.6 250 EF3 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 SSE Pink
81 04/19/2023 2013-2023 6 700 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Cleveland 2 NW Pink - 3 ENE Stella
82 04/19/2023 2021-2028 1.8 400 EF1 0 0 Pottawatomie 2 ENE - 3 NE Bethel Acres
83 04/19/2023 2039-2116 15.5 2300 EF2 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 3 SE Bethel Acres - Shawnee - 2 NNW Aydelotte
84 04/19/2023 2139-2140 0.8 50 EF1 0 0 Pottawatomie 1 NW - 1 W Garden Grove (3 NE - 3 ENE Johnson)
85 05/11/2023 2047-2048 0.2 50 EF? 0 0 Pottawatomie 4 NNW Asher
86 05/11/2023 2116-2121 1.7 300 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 2.5 W - 2.5 NW Maud
87 10/25/2023 1730-1731 0.5 20 EF0 0 0 Pottawatomie 3 ESE Johnson
 

Significant Tornadoes in Pottawatomie County

  Date Time
(CST)
Path
Length
(miles)
Path
Width
(yards)
F-Scale Killed Injured County Path
  04/25/1893 1830 45     31 many Cleveland/ Pottawatomie SW of Moore - near "Case" (12 E Moore)

This massive tornado, reportedly over a mile and a quarter wide at one point, moved northeast along a 15-mile 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/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. The local Norman paper reported that the first tornado "scared the people of Norman as they never have been scared before." In addition, there was a "general scampering from all parts and a hunt for caves was generally inaugurated."

  12/02/1953 2130 1.5 880 F1 0 1 Pottawatomie Shawnee

This tornado moved northeastward for 1.5 miles through the city of Shawnee. Trees and utility lines were downed by the storm. Three people were injured and total damages were estimated at $9,000. One man was injured when a fallen tree branch pushed through the windshield of his car and hit him as he entered the driveway of his home.

  05/01/1954 1800 59 n/a F4 0 65 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Creek NE of Dale - Meeker - Sparks - Davenport - near Depew

The tornado was first reported at 6:00 pm CST northeast of the town of Dale in Pottawatomie County. It moved northeastward for 40 miles producing damage in the towns of Meeker, Sparks, and Davenport in Lincoln County. The tornado continued northeastward into Creek County, near the town of Depew. A total of 65 people were injured, but fortunately no one was killed. A large bus was carried 300 feet, and overturned on the U.S. Highway 62 just east of Meeker. Property damage was estimated at $820,000. In Lincoln County, 120 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

  09/14/1957 1730 68 440 F4 2 6 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Hughes Southern Cleveland County NW of Wayne - near Sacred Heart - near Konawa - near Wetumka

This tornado formed northwest of the town of Wayne in McClain County near the Canadian River and moved nearly eastward along a hit-and-miss path. In southern Cleveland County, a damage path 3 miles long and 1/4 mile wide was documented. In this area, 3 barns were destroyed, trees snapped, and crops flattened by wind, rain, and hail.

The tornado continued almost due east and the worst damage was inflicted in a 7-mile-long area near Sacred Heart in southeastern Pottawatomie County and southwestern Seminole County. A tornado was observed 2 miles northwest of Konawa, OK at 6:55 pm CST. Two persons killed and 6 injured in 3 homes which were completely leveled along this path. Many other homes and buildings were damaged. Extensive damage occurred to oil field equipment and a total of 8 rigs were destroyed with losses estimated at $40,000.

Other wind damage was reported near Wetumka, OK, but this damage was probably unrelated to this tornado, and may have been related to another in a series of tornadoes produced by the same parent supercell thunderstorm or another supercell. It is possible that the damage caused in Wetumka was due to straight-line winds.

  09/14/1957 1756 0.5 43 F2 0 3 Pottawatomie Bethel (5 W Shawnee)

A tornado reported to have twin funnels struck the Bethel community 5 miles west of Shawnee. School buildings, 15 to 20 homes, and numerous outbuildings were destroyed or damaged as the tornado moved briefly eastward. Three people were severely injured when their homes were destroyed. Heavy rainfall also accompanied the tornado.

  05/04/1960 2005 8 400* F4 0 0 Pottawatomie/ Seminole 2 W - 5 N Konawa

This violent tornado formed just 2.2 miles west of Konawa and moved northeast before lifting 5 miles north of Konawa. Along the 8-mile damage path a total of 4 farmsteads that were completely destroyed. One new home was completely swept away. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries as people in and near Konawa had taken refuge in their storm shelters. This was the first of 5 violent tornadoes that would occur during a two-day period in Oklahoma on May 4-5, 1960.

  05/05/1960 1700 72 800 F5 5 81 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Okfuskee/ Creek S of Shawnee - between Paden and Prague - Iron Post - Sapulpa - NE of Sapulpa

This violent tornado was initially observed as it formed in the North Canadian River bottomlands just south of the city of Shawnee OK. Several farmsteads and the Resthaven Cemetery were damaged or destroyed 2 miles east of Shawnee. Several more farmsteads were destroyed and general destruction occurred in the Eoontuohka area. At least 14 farmsteads were destroyed between Prague, OK and Paden, OK at 5:27 pm CST. There was extensive destruction in the area.

The tornado was described as a huge, white, barrel-shaped cloud that stayed completely on the ground. Northeast of Prague, a million-dollar refinery received about $750,000 in damage. Several company homes were destroyed. Farmsteads were damaged and destroyed all along the rest of the rest of the long path northeastward.

Two people were killed and eleven injured in the Iron Post area south of Bristow, OK. This tornado caused the most damage as it moved through the west and north portions of Sapulpa, OK at 6:32 pm CST. Three persons were killed and 70 injured, and a total of 1000 people were homeless.

There were about 300 homes destroyed or damaged. Of this total approximately 100 homes were completely destroyed with 100 more receiving heavy damage and another 100 homes incurring partial damage. A school and 2 churches were also destroyed, and trees and utilities were heavily damaged. The storm covered a 12-15 block area in Sapulpa.

The funnel lifted northeast of Sapulpa and was observed aloft over Tulsa, OK at 7:00 pm CST. High winds destroyed a house in Tulsa and other general damage was reported. Large hail fell east and northeast of Shawnee, and some hail was observed near the entire path of the tornado.

  02/17/1961 1815 73 300 F3 0 11 Garvin/ Pontotoc/ Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Hughes/ Okfuskee/ Okmulgee Stratford - Konawa - Wewoka - S of Schulter [tornado family.]

A parent supercell thunderstorm produced a series of tornadoes from Stratford to Konawa to Wewoka through areas in Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties. The first tornado hit Stratford where considerable damage occurred to 50 homes and several businesses. One person was injured by flying debris in Stratford.

The next report of a tornado occurred in Seminole County at Konawa where the tornado moved northeastward and cut a 3-blick-wide path of destruction through across the city and through the main business district. About 150 homes and 40 businesses were destroyed or damaged. Seven people were injured in Konawa.

The same tornado or possibly a new tornado skipped and only produced spotty damage until it reached Wewoka where about 75 houses were damaged in a path the was 2.5 blocks wide and 11 blocks long. Several farmstead were damaged and two people were injured when their car was picked up off OK State Highway 9 about 6 miles west of Wetumka.

More tornadic damage was evident as several farmsteads, homes, and utility lines were damaged southeast of Pharoah in Okfuskee County and northwest of Henryetta in Okmulgee County, where 1 injury was reported. The last tornado in the series lifted south of Schulter in Okmulgee County.

  02/17/1961 1900 7 10 F2 0 1 Pottawatomie 9 W- 4 NW Shawnee

Several farmsteads, homes, and a paint factory were damaged by tornado that moved from 9 miles west to 4 miles northwest of Shawnee. One woman received a hand injury.

  05/09/1965 1515 0.1 100 F2 0 3 Pottawatomie 6 SW Shawnee

A tornado touched briefly 6 miles southwest of Shawnee, damaging a home and injuring 3 people inside. Witnesses said that a loud roar was heard when the tornado tore off the roof of the house and dropped it on a truck, trapping the men inside the truck for a short time. Power lines were knocked down and outbuildings were damaged.

  10/05/1970 1540 24 200 F2 0 1 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 5 NE Lexington - 8 SE Tecumseh

A tornado initiated about 5 miles northeast of Lexington where mobile home was destroyed and a frame house, which was under construction, was blown off its foundation. A young child was injured in the mobile home. The tornado was sighted by the Oklahoma State Police about 8 miles southeast of Tecumseh at 3:55 pm CST, but no damage was reported in that area.

  10/05/1970 1542 25 150 F4 4 84 Pottawatomie/ Lincoln/ Okfuskee Shawnee- Prague- 2 N Paden

The only violent tornado to occur in October in Oklahoma since records began in 1950, did immense damage to the towns of Shawnee and Prague.  It formed over Shawnee in Pottawatomie County, and traveled through the center of the town before moving northeast and crossing U.S. Interstate Highway 40 about 6.5 miles northeast of Shawnee. The tornado cut an intermittent path to the northeast and then hit the town of Prague in Lincoln County. The tornado sliced through the southwestern portion of Prague, OK before it dissipated 2 miles north of Paden, in Okfuskee County. 

Four persons were killed and another 80 injured in Shawnee. At Prague, four people were injured. In Shawnee, the storm damaged 157 businesses, 564 residential homes, 12 public buildings, 10 churches, and 5 schools.  In Prague, 14 homes and 1 business establishment were damaged.

  05/17/1981 1810 10 587 F3 0 6 Pottawatomie 4 SSW Tecumseh - ~3 NW Earlsboro

A tornado touched down 4 miles south-southwest of Tecumseh and moved northeastward for 6 miles, and then turned north-northeast for another 4 miles before dissipating about 3 miles northwest of Earlsboro. Considerable damage occurred along the path and 2 large horse ranches were destroyed and over 100 horses were killed. In addition, 1 house and 2 mobile homes were destroyed, and another 10 houses and a business were damaged. A half dozen injuries were reported.

  03/13/1990 1759-1845 19 200 F2 0 1 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie/ Lincoln 1 SW Stella- Stella- 4 W Meeker

This tornado initiated 1 mile southwest of Stella and moved northeast through Stella before dissipating 4 miles west of Meeker. A mobile home was destroyed in Stella, resulting in one serious injury. In Pottawatomie County, damage to the Shawnee Lakes area a roof ripped off a home, several homes with minor structural damage, 3 mobile homes damaged, and a barn destroyed. In Lincoln County, a camper was rolled over onto a shed west of Meeker, and a mobile home was destroyed 4.25 miles west of Meeker.

  10/04/1998 2108-2125 10 880 F3 0 1 Seminole/ Pottawatomie 5 WNW Little - Center View - 3 SE Prague

A major severe weather outbreak occurred across western and central Oklahoma from the afternoon of October 4th through the early morning of October 5th, and resulting in 19 tornadoes in the NWS Norman forecast area, straight-line wind damage, hail as large as baseballs, and significant flooding across portions of Lincoln and Noble Counties, where numerous costly bridges were destroyed. A total of 26 tornadoes occurred in Oklahoma during the outbreak, which set a record for the most tornadoes in the state for an autumnal tornado outbreak.

The 19th and last tornado of the outbreak in the NWS Norman area touched down 5 miles west-northwest of Little, near the intersection of EW 114 Road and NS 351 Road in northwestern Pottawatomie County, where minor tree damage was observed. The tornado, rated F3 in intensity, then increased in size to approximately a 1/2 mile wide as it moved northeast. As it crossed NS 351 Road and then EW 113 Road, a number of outbuildings were heavily damaged, and trees were snapped. Three mobile homes received light damage near the north edge of the path, and 3 other homes received light damage to shingles. The tornado crossed U.S. Interstate Highway I-40 blowing over a truck which was carrying hazardous materials.

The tornado then continued northeast unroofing a mobile home, causing damage to trees and destroying a number of outbuilding before crossing the North Canadian River into northeast Pottawatomie County. Along EW 110 Road, significant tree damage was observed, and a barn was partially unroofed. The community of Center View near the intersection of OK State Highway 99 and EW 109 Road was then hard hit with most of the damage south and east of this intersection. From the debris pattern, the center of the tornado crossed OK State Highway 99 one-half mile south of EW 109 Road. A house along OK State Highway 99 was unroofed and lost most of its exterior walls. Three homes suffered major damage along EW 109 Road. Two other homes suffered significant damage.

As the tornado continued moving northeast another home suffered significant roof damage, and the south facing brick wall was buckled. The garage was destroyed. Steel and cinder block from the garage were impaled in a tree. There was also significant damage to large trees. Farther northeast, damage to a roof was noted, and a large number of power lines were downed along NS 357 Road near the intersection of EW 108 Road. One outbuilding was damaged, and light damage was observed in trees just south of EW 107 Road. In total, at least 60 homes or businesses were damaged.

  05/03/1999 2005-2020 7 250 F2 1 10 Pottawatomie 2 N Bethel Acres - NW Shawnee - 7 E McLoud

This tornado formed in rural Pottawatomie County near Independence Road and Drummond Road, or about 6 miles west-northwest of Downtown Shawnee, OK. A few trees were damaged as the tornado moved northeast into the Clarks Heights addition, along U.S. Highway 270, just south of U.S. Interstate Highway I-40. At 45th Street, a portion of a roof was blown off; a nursery was damaged; awnings were destroyed, and trees were downed. As the tornado crossed U.S. Highway 270, the air conditioner was taken off the roof of the El Charro restaurant. Continuing northeast into the West Gate neighborhood, 15 homes suffered significant damage. Three homes were completely unroofed, warranting an F2 rating, and a number of others were partially unroofed. Other homes suffered shingle damage; a number of large trees were downed, and a garage collapsed. Signs were also downed along the interstate adjacent to this neighborhood.

The next area of significant damage was along the 38800 block of Garrett's Lake Road where a mobile home was destroyed. The frame of the home was blown 50 to 75 yards to the northwest. The disintegration of the mobile home indicated a high F1 or borderline F2 intensity in this area. A few hundred yards to the northeast, the warehouse of Shawnee Light Systems was damaged; one large metal storage building was unroofed, and other buildings were damaged. The tornado crossed Acme Road and struck a number of double-wide mobile homes along Valley View Drive, where one fatality and one serious injury occurred in the same home. The mobile homes most heavily damaged in this area were destroyed, but not disintegrated. To the north, a barn was destroyed, and trees were damaged as the tornado crossed Wolverine Road. The tornado then curved to the north-northwest crossing Acme Road damaging more trees before dissipating.

  05/10/2010 1632-1659 22 880 EF4 1 32 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie Norman (near SH-9/Jenkins) - Little Axe - 4 E Pink

This violent tornado touched down a few hundred yards south of the National Weather Center in Norman, OK. The damage intensity increased gradually along the path with significant damage beginning as the tornado approached Lake Thunderbird. This tornado crossed Lake Thunderbird, severely damaging two campgrounds and the marina where about 300 boats were docked.

The most severe damage occurred from the Little Axe School to the Cleveland/Pottawatomie county line. Trees were stripped of some bark and branches. Large objects were thrown considerable distances, including some concrete pillars. The metal bleachers near the school were tossed or rolled several hundred yards. Some appliances were also lofted as a dryer was found about 50 feet up in a tree. Considerable structural damage also occurred, as some foundation homes were mostly destroyed. In addition to the damage, one person lost their life as a result of the tornado.

  05/10/2010 1639-1659 17 440 EF2 0 3 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie 7 ESE Noble - Norman (east) - 4 E Pink

This tornado developed west of SE 120th Avenue between Maguire Road and Cemetery Road. The tornado moved through a mobile home park northeast of SE 120th Avenue and Maguire Road causing significant damage to a number of the mobile homes and injuring 2 people. The tornado continued to cause tree damage as it moved northeast, then heavily damaged the Country Boy IGA grocery store and service station on OK State Highway 9 to the east of Lake Thunderbird. The tornado began to move east-northeast and moved into Pottawatomie County along OK State Highway 9 about one minute before tornado #J1 also crossed into Pottawatomie County at about the same location.

The tornado moved into Pottawatomie County from Cleveland County and was generally about one mile northeast of tornado #J1 in Pottawatomie County. This tornado continued north of OK State Highway 9 causing tree and roof damage on the west side of OK State Highway 102 before dissipating.

  05/10/2010 1648-1702 7 880 EF3 0 3 Pottawatomie 4.5 NNW Pink - 5 NW Shawnee

The tornado developed near the junction of Walker and Ingram Roads, causing major damage to home and damaging several trees. The tornado crossed to the east side of the lake, downing high tension power lines and another residence. The tornado grew to its widest near OK State Highway 102. Another home, a mobile home, and barn were severely damaged just east of the highway. Metal poles that were embedded in concrete at the barn were ripped out of the ground with the concrete still attached. An 80,000-pound box car was rolled about 300 yards. A few trees that were damaged were debarked. The tornado lifted south of U.S. Interstate Highway I-40.

  05/10/2010 1656-1747 37 2200 EF3 0 28 Pottawatomie/ Seminole/ Okfuskee 3 WSW Tecumseh - Tecumseh - 3.5 N Bearden

A significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes affected a large part of northern, central, and southern Oklahoma. Tornadoes were most numerous across central and southern Oklahoma, with significant damage occurring over many areas. Severe thunderstorms erupted by midafternoon across northern and western Oklahoma. Given the potent combination of ingredients in place, storms began to produce tornadoes quickly after initiation. Storm motions of 50 to 60 mph were common.

This tornado lasted for 37 miles and continued into Seminole and Okfuskee counties, with significant damage along almost its entire path. At times, the tornado damage path widened up to a mile. The most significant damage was located north and northeast of Earlsboro near the Pottawatomie/Seminole county border. Here a two-story home was destroyed except for a few interior walls. A pick-up truck was also lofted approximately a quarter of a mile, and a semi-trailer was lofted or rolled approximately 200 yards. Farther east along its path, seven high tension towers were downed. Significant tree damage was reported along the entire track of the tornado, some of them debarked and stripped off all their branches.

As this tornado continued through Seminole County, it knocked down 7 high tension towers were downed. Several hangers were destroyed at the Seminole Municipal Airport north of Seminole, and one small aircraft was flipped onto one of the destroyed hangers. Two mobile homes were destroyed near the airport and one resident suffered a broken arm. Significant tree damage was reported along the entire track of the tornado, some of them debarked and stripped off all their branches.

The tornado moved into southwestern Okfuskee County from Seminole County. The tornado snapped or uprooted numerous trees and blew down power poles in Okfuskee County. The estimated peak wind in this segment of the tornado's path based on this damage was 95 mph.

  05/24/2011 1736-1739 2 50 EF2 0 32 Pottawatomie 4.5 SSW - 3.5 S McLoud

A tornado outbreak occurred over parts of northern and central Oklahoma during the day on May 24th, with violent tornadoes devastating several communities. By the end of the day, one EF-5, two EF-4, and two EF-3 tornadoes destroyed buildings, ripped up trees and power poles, and unfortunately, resulted in 11 deaths. The day began with a strong, upper-level trough ejecting out of the southwest United States. The trough took on a negative tilt as it approached the southern Great Plains. A strong jet stream was located at both the middle and upper levels rotating around the upper trough. At the surface, a low pressure strengthened rapidly over northwest Oklahoma, keeping the low-level flow of warm, moist air to flow east of a dry line that had moved into western Oklahoma. Thunderstorms developed by early afternoon over western Oklahoma, and quickly became supercellular as they moved northeast.

A tornado developed west-southwest of the intersection of Fishmarket Road and Memorial Road to the south-southwest of McLoud. The tornado moved east-northeast where a telephone company building lost its roof, and a number of sheds were damaged. The tornado caused tree damage as it crossed the intersection and Fishmarket and Memorial roads. Extensive tree damage continued northeast of this intersection, at least one home suffered the destruction of an attached garage and a few homes suffered roof and window damage. The tornado turned north-northeast crossing U.S. Interstate Highway I-40 near the Walker Road bridge where it struck and semi-truck, lifting and destroying the trailer, lofting the pieces to the north. The tornado dissipated soon after crossing U.S. Interstate Highway I-40. Although the tornado was very narrow, the rotational velocity of the tornado was observed to be very strong. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

  05/19/2013 1700-1750 23 1500 EF4 2 10 Cleveland/ Pottawatomie Norman (9 E Downtown) - 6.5 ESE McLoud

A long track tornado began at 5:00 pm CST (6:00 pm CDT) in Cleveland County in east Norman to the north of Lake Thunderbird along 96th Avenue to the south of Tecumseh Road. The tornado moved northeast, crossing the eastern arm of Lake Thunderbird. A number of homes were significantly damaged as the tornado moved east-northeast through neighborhoods from near Indian Hills Road and 168th Avenue SE to the Pottawatomie County line.

The large tornado moved east-northeast into Pottawatomie County at 5:20 pm CST then curving northeast as it approached State Highway 102. The tornado moved through a mobile home park north of Independence Road after crossing OK State Highway 102. Just northeast of the mobile home park, a permanent home was destroyed with much of the debris blown well to the northeast. It continued northeast crossing U.S. Interstate Highway I-40 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 177, then curved north-northeast finally dissipating near Wolverine Road and Coker Road at 5:50 PM CST. One fatality occurred in the mobile home park, and another man was killed in his vehicle.

 

Records taken from the Storm Prediction Center archive data, "Storm Data", and data from the National Weather Service office in Norman. Data modified as described in NOAA Tech Memo NWS SR-209 (Speheger, D., 2001: "Corrections to the Historic Tornado Database").

Historic data, especially before 1950, are likely incomplete.