Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, August 17, 1994

Thunderstorms which had developed in Kansas during the morning hours of the 17th moved southward into portions of northwest and central Oklahoma during the afternoon hours of the 17th. Thunderstorm outflow from these storms is believed to help enhance the development of a second round of severe thunderstorms which developed in western Oklahoma and moved into north Texas. In Oklahoma these storms produced winds measured up to 113 miles per hour, hail softball to football size, and 2 tornadoes. The severe thunderstorms were located along 2 main paths. The first area of storms moved into Oklahoma along the Kansas border near Manchester. These storms remained produced damage along a path extending southward to an area between Richland and the area southwest of El Reno in Canadian County. Of the 500 to 800 permanent homes and businesses that were damaged by the first area of severe thunderstorms, all were damaged by large hail driven by high winds. In virtually every case, damage was on the north side of the buildings. Buildings in several areas received lesser damage on the east side, while very few were damaged on the west side. None were damaged on the south side. Damage consisted of dented or perforated siding (including 3 to 4 inch dents and holes in some cases), or broken windows (hail passed through the walls in some cases). A significant number of permanent homes and businesses examined suffered enough damage to render them temporarily unusable. Mobile homes suffered far worse damage than did permanent structures in the same area. Those oriented north-south fared much better than those oriented east-west, but in virtually all cases the windward sides were severely dented, and in some cases stripped of siding. Windows and doors on windward sides were shattered. In several cases, hail was driven through the sides and the roof, and accumulated inside the mobile home. It was estimated that less than one-forth of the 80 to 120 mobile homes that were damaged were liveable immediately afterward, and more than half were damaged beyond repair. Numerous barns, sheds, silos, etc. suffered major damage; several barns were levelled. High winds caused most of the damage. Several hundred utility poles were downed by the storm. Windows on several hundred vehicles were shattered by hail, in many cases there was no glass left on the vehicle. Dents on the sides and tops of cars, trucks, RV's, etc, were several inches in diameter in some cases. Damage to trees and shrubs was extensive, especially in the Lahoma and Drummond area where virtually every deciduous tree within miles, and most of the evergreen trees, were stripped of leaves by the hail. There were few uprooted trees; most of the trees that were damaged by wind were either snapped off near the trunk (a few over 3 feet in diameter) or had large branches removed. Lawns and fields in some areas were beaten into a brown-green mulch. There were places along the storm path where no green vegetation could be seen in any direction. A detailed description of specific damage along selected areas along the storms path follows: ALFALFA COUNTY. Winds downed power poles and tore the roof off a barn 8 miles west of Manchester. Trees limbs were downed 4 miles south, 3 miles west of Manchester. Trees were downed at Goltry. FROM MENO TO LAHOMA TO 5 MILES EAST OF LAHOMA. Widespread damage occurred from 2.5 miles east of Meno to 3 miles east of Lahoma. The storms struck Lahoma between 2:45 PM and 3 PM and was observed as a large cloud of dust approaching from the north. Few, if any, structures in Lahoma were left undamaged, with most damage being in the form of stripped or damaged siding on the north and east sides of buildings. In Lahoma, 102 residences were damaged or destroyed (25 mobile homes and one house destroyed, 5 mobile homes and 25 homes with major damage, and 6 mobile homes and 40 houses with minor damage.) The Lahoma Post Office and the Cimarron School suffered roof damage. Several businesses were damaged, including an RV dealership that lost its entire inventory of RV's and travel trailers, with the loss estimated at $500,000. The Oklahoma Mesonet site 2 miles west of Lahoma (3 miles east of Meno) recorded onset of strong winds between 2:40 and 2:45 PM - a five minute peak gust of 86 miles per hour. It then recorded a five minute winds speed of 78 miles per hour and a peak gust of 113 miles per hour, measured by wind instruments approximately 33 feet above the ground. Another peak gust of 113 miles per hour was measured between 2:50 and 2:55 PM, before the wind equipment was damaged. (Based on damage assessment, peak ground-level winds were estimated to be 75 to 100 MPH.) Several people suffered minor injuries from broken glass, and bruises from hail (the exact number is unknown). Three people were hospitalized, one for a concussion. Several people were treated for hypothermia. DRUMMOND AREA. Virtually every structure in Drummond suffered damage, mostly to windows, roofs, and siding on the north side. An 80 foot metal storage building was destroyed, exposing farm equipment and other contents. A barn 1/2 mile northeast of Drummond was destroyed, and the debris was deposited 1/2 mile to the south. Ten to 15 mobile homes on the north side of Drummond were destroyed or heavily damaged by hail; all were oriented north-south and suffered major damage on their north sides. 2 MILES SOUTH OF DRUMMOND. Tree and roof damage was found on several homes and outbuildings from 1.5 miles west to 2 miles east of Route 132. In a cemetery 1.5 miles west of Highway 132, several headstones were overturned, possibly by debris impact. The caretakers building was destroyed, and debris was spread 100 yards or more to the south. EAST OF LACEY. Within a 2 to 3 mile radius of the junction of routes 51 and 132, several large barns were damaged or destroyed and at least three power poles were downed. DOVER. Tree limbs and many power lines were downed. THE WEST SIDE OF KINGFISHER. Widespread damage occurred to trees, homes, windows, and outbuildings in and around the Lake Elmer area (4 miles west-northwest of downtown Kingfisher). A barn, with an estimated value of $80,000, was destroyed, and debris blown for several hundred yards to the south and southwest. Hail ranged from golfball size. One mobile home was destroyed. MEEKER ADDITION, 2.5 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. Nearly every home was damaged by hail, all on the north side. Most homes also had minor roof damage. A total of 115 homes and eight apartments were damaged. Hail penetrated siding on some homes, leaving holes several inches in diameter. Another 17 homes received similar damage in a subdivision 1 mile northwest of the Meeker Addition. Divots in the ground, and dents or holes in exposed objects, indicate that a few hailstones were baseball size. 2.5 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER TO 4.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. A small (F1) tornado touched down at 3:33 PM and moved south-southeast for 2 miles. A 40 foot aluminum trailer, parked east-west, was lifted over a pickup truck parked to its south and dropped on its side 40 to 50 feet to the south. The pickup was rolled about 20 feet to the south and ended up on a pile of bricks and farm accessories, with its nose about 6 to 8 feet off the ground. Based on eyewitness reports this was probably a gustnado which formed along the leading edge of the storm. 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER ALONG HIGHWAY 81. A motorist drove into large hail at this point at 3:48 PM. He suffered extreme hail damage to his vehicle. The windshield and back window were completely broken out, and there was severe damage to the body of the truck. He then continued south on Highway 81 to the Okarche Police Department to warn them of the approaching storm. The policeman who examined the truck reported a hailstone was lying in the bed of the truck which measured 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches and was said to "look like a football". ALONG HIGHWAY 3, 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OKARCHE. Between 30 to 40 mobile homes, all oriented east-west, were heavily damaged or destroyed by hail or strong winds estimated at 60 to 90 miles per hour. Eyewitnesses reported hail from baseball to softball size. All mobile homes were damaged on the north and east sides; siding was pounded, and all windows were broken. Roofs were lifted from at least 3 mobile homes, one of which disintegrated in a field 50 to 75 yards south of the mobile home from which it was lifted. One residents dog was beaten to death by the hail, and several chickens and ducks were also killed. 11 MILES WEST, 4 MILES SOUTH OF EL RENO. Severe thunderstorm winds ripped the door off a storm cellar. Thunderstorm winds also caused other scattered areas of damage. Trees were downed 4 miles north-northwest of Rush Springs, and 4 miles north of Hastings, and trees and power lines were reported downed at Corum. A second area of thunderstorms developed over portions of Roger Mills County in northwest Oklahoma, and quickly became severe. A mobile home was blown on top of another mobile home 2 miles west-northwest of Hammon. The storms moved into Beckham County and began to produce widespread damage in the Elk City area. Two semis were blown over at a truck stop 2 miles west of Elk City. In the area 3 miles north of I-40 several houses sustained mostly minor roof damage. A house in Erick had a picture window and its framing blown in. As the center of highest winds then moved toward the city of Carter and strengthened, an F-1 gustnado developed. This gustnado moved from 1.5 miles north of Carter to 0.5 miles south of Carter. One and one-half miles north of Carter several barns were destroyed, and the debris was spread northwestward. A brick home had the east side garage door blown in and the garage roof blown northwestward. One mile north-northeast of Carter, a well-anchored mobile home was completely destroyed, and the debris spread westward. The straps and concrete anchors were pulled from the ground. One and one quarter miles northwest of Carter, the tornado moved through a mobile home park where 3 out of 4 mobile homes were completely destroyed. The fourth mobile home received extensive damage but remained standing against the lower portion of several trees. Numerous trees on the south side of the park were completely sheared off 10 to 15 feet above the ground and carried a considerable distance across State Highway 34. The Carter School had extensive roof damage. Along the rest of the storm path, widespread damage was done by straight-line winds. Five and one-half miles south-southwest of Carter, a barn was destroyed, and a farmer lost 100% of his alfalfa, peanut and watermelon crops. Some fields which were ready for harvest the day before looked as if nothing had ever been planted. The strong winds continued moving into southwest Oklahoma. The area of strongest winds passed 2 to 3 miles west of the cities of Willow, Brinkman, and Mangum, but were still close enough to cause extensive damage. In Brinkman, 2 grain elevators received major damage. In Mangum, the entire city received winds of over 80 MPH for 5 to 7 minutes, with gusts in at least 2 areas over 100 MPH. The first area of damage from winds in excess of 100 MPH in Mangum was about 1 mile long and a few hundred yards wide extending from the fairgrounds on the far northwest side of the city south-southeast to about 1/2 mile north of the downtown area. At the fairgrounds a large span building had most of its roof and 2 walls blown down. Just southeast of this location a small wood frame house, a mobile home and several were completely destroyed. Signs and power poles were blown over. The Mangum Elementary School at the south end of this area of maximum winds had extensive wind damage to the roof and west walls. The 2nd area of strong winds around Mangum was located on the east side of the city, and was about 2 miles long. At the beginning (north end) of the damage path, several barns and outbuildings were damaged. The middle of this area had major roof and some wall damage to several brick houses. A 450 foot tall cable TV and communication tower located at the south end of this second damage area was toppled. In the area 1 mile east of Mangum, 2 people were trapped inside their truck when trees and power lines fell on top of the truck. Localized wind damage also continued some distance west of Mangum. A small hay barn 11 miles west of Mangum was blown down. A summary of damage from this second storm includes at least 8 mobile homes totally destroyed, at least some damage to 70 percent of the approximately 800 homes in Carter, Willow, Brinkman, Mangum, significant roof damage to about 20 businesses, and nearly total destruction of all outbuildings and barns in the direct path of the storms. The continuous damage path was about 42 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. There were no reported injuries with this 2nd area of storms. Wind damage also occurred in other areas away from this main damage path. Severe thunderstorm winds blew down an 80,000 pound oil drilling rig and truck carrier 2 miles north of Sentinel. Winds from isolated severe thunderstorms produced tree damage 4 miles south of Hastings and 4 miles south of Delhi. These storms continued their southward movement, where they caused intermittent damage across Jackson County and Tillman County before moving across the Red River into Texas. Power poles were reported downed in Frederick.

Thunderstorms which had developed in Kansas during the morning hours of the 17th moved southward into portions of northwest and central Oklahoma during the afternoon hours of the 17th. Thunderstorm outflow from these storms is believed to help enhance the development of a second round of severe thunderstorms which developed in western Oklahoma and moved into north Texas. In Oklahoma these storms produced winds measured up to 113 miles per hour, hail softball to football size, and 2 tornadoes. The severe thunderstorms were located along 2 main paths. The first area of storms moved into Oklahoma along the Kansas border near Manchester. These storms remained produced damage along a path extending southward to an area between Richland and the area southwest of El Reno in Canadian County. Of the 500 to 800 permanent homes and businesses that were damaged by the first area of severe thunderstorms, all were damaged by large hail driven by high winds. In virtually every case, damage was on the north side of the buildings. Buildings in several areas received lesser damage on the east side, while very few were damaged on the west side. None were damaged on the south side. Damage consisted of dented or perforated siding (including 3 to 4 inch dents and holes in some cases), or broken windows (hail passed through the walls in some cases). A significant number of permanent homes and businesses examined suffered enough damage to render them temporarily unusable. Mobile homes suffered far worse damage than did permanent structures in the same area. Those oriented north-south fared much better than those oriented east-west, but in virtually all cases the windward sides were severely dented, and in some cases stripped of siding. Windows and doors on windward sides were shattered. In several cases, hail was driven through the sides and the roof, and accumulated inside the mobile home. It was estimated that less than one-forth of the 80 to 120 mobile homes that were damaged were liveable immediately afterward, and more than half were damaged beyond repair. Numerous barns, sheds, silos, etc. suffered major damage; several barns were levelled. High winds caused most of the damage. Several hundred utility poles were downed by the storm. Windows on several hundred vehicles were shattered by hail, in many cases there was no glass left on the vehicle. Dents on the sides and tops of cars, trucks, RV's, etc, were several inches in diameter in some cases. Damage to trees and shrubs was extensive, especially in the Lahoma and Drummond area where virtually every deciduous tree within miles, and most of the evergreen trees, were stripped of leaves by the hail. There were few uprooted trees; most of the trees that were damaged by wind were either snapped off near the trunk (a few over 3 feet in diameter) or had large branches removed. Lawns and fields in some areas were beaten into a brown-green mulch. There were places along the storm path where no green vegetation could be seen in any direction. A detailed description of specific damage along selected areas along the storms path follows: ALFALFA COUNTY. Winds downed power poles and tore the roof off a barn 8 miles west of Manchester. Trees limbs were downed 4 miles south, 3 miles west of Manchester. Trees were downed at Goltry. FROM MENO TO LAHOMA TO 5 MILES EAST OF LAHOMA. Widespread damage occurred from 2.5 miles east of Meno to 3 miles east of Lahoma. The storms struck Lahoma between 2:45 PM and 3 PM and was observed as a large cloud of dust approaching from the north. Few, if any, structures in Lahoma were left undamaged, with most damage being in the form of stripped or damaged siding on the north and east sides of buildings. In Lahoma, 102 residences were damaged or destroyed (25 mobile homes and one house destroyed, 5 mobile homes and 25 homes with major damage, and 6 mobile homes and 40 houses with minor damage.) The Lahoma Post Office and the Cimarron School suffered roof damage. Several businesses were damaged, including an RV dealership that lost its entire inventory of RV's and travel trailers, with the loss estimated at $500,000. The Oklahoma Mesonet site 2 miles west of Lahoma (3 miles east of Meno) recorded onset of strong winds between 2:40 and 2:45 PM - a five minute peak gust of 86 miles per hour. It then recorded a five minute winds speed of 78 miles per hour and a peak gust of 113 miles per hour, measured by wind instruments approximately 33 feet above the ground. Another peak gust of 113 miles per hour was measured between 2:50 and 2:55 PM, before the wind equipment was damaged. (Based on damage assessment, peak ground-level winds were estimated to be 75 to 100 MPH.) Several people suffered minor injuries from broken glass, and bruises from hail (the exact number is unknown). Three people were hospitalized, one for a concussion. Several people were treated for hypothermia. DRUMMOND AREA. Virtually every structure in Drummond suffered damage, mostly to windows, roofs, and siding on the north side. An 80 foot metal storage building was destroyed, exposing farm equipment and other contents. A barn 1/2 mile northeast of Drummond was destroyed, and the debris was deposited 1/2 mile to the south. Ten to 15 mobile homes on the north side of Drummond were destroyed or heavily damaged by hail; all were oriented north-south and suffered major damage on their north sides. 2 MILES SOUTH OF DRUMMOND. Tree and roof damage was found on several homes and outbuildings from 1.5 miles west to 2 miles east of Route 132. In a cemetery 1.5 miles west of Highway 132, several headstones were overturned, possibly by debris impact. The caretakers building was destroyed, and debris was spread 100 yards or more to the south. EAST OF LACEY. Within a 2 to 3 mile radius of the junction of routes 51 and 132, several large barns were damaged or destroyed and at least three power poles were downed. DOVER. Tree limbs and many power lines were downed. THE WEST SIDE OF KINGFISHER. Widespread damage occurred to trees, homes, windows, and outbuildings in and around the Lake Elmer area (4 miles west-northwest of downtown Kingfisher). A barn, with an estimated value of $80,000, was destroyed, and debris blown for several hundred yards to the south and southwest. Hail ranged from golfball size. One mobile home was destroyed. MEEKER ADDITION, 2.5 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. Nearly every home was damaged by hail, all on the north side. Most homes also had minor roof damage. A total of 115 homes and eight apartments were damaged. Hail penetrated siding on some homes, leaving holes several inches in diameter. Another 17 homes received similar damage in a subdivision 1 mile northwest of the Meeker Addition. Divots in the ground, and dents or holes in exposed objects, indicate that a few hailstones were baseball size. 2.5 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER TO 4.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. A small (F1) tornado touched down at 3:33 PM and moved south-southeast for 2 miles. A 40 foot aluminum trailer, parked east-west, was lifted over a pickup truck parked to its south and dropped on its side 40 to 50 feet to the south. The pickup was rolled about 20 feet to the south and ended up on a pile of bricks and farm accessories, with its nose about 6 to 8 feet off the ground. Based on eyewitness reports this was probably a gustnado which formed along the leading edge of the storm. 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER ALONG HIGHWAY 81. A motorist drove into large hail at this point at 3:48 PM. He suffered extreme hail damage to his vehicle. The windshield and back window were completely broken out, and there was severe damage to the body of the truck. He then continued south on Highway 81 to the Okarche Police Department to warn them of the approaching storm. The policeman who examined the truck reported a hailstone was lying in the bed of the truck which measured 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches and was said to "look like a football". ALONG HIGHWAY 3, 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OKARCHE. Between 30 to 40 mobile homes, all oriented east-west, were heavily damaged or destroyed by hail or strong winds estimated at 60 to 90 miles per hour. Eyewitnesses reported hail from baseball to softball size. All mobile homes were damaged on the north and east sides; siding was pounded, and all windows were broken. Roofs were lifted from at least 3 mobile homes, one of which disintegrated in a field 50 to 75 yards south of the mobile home from which it was lifted. One residents dog was beaten to death by the hail, and several chickens and ducks were also killed. 11 MILES WEST, 4 MILES SOUTH OF EL RENO. Severe thunderstorm winds ripped the door off a storm cellar. Thunderstorm winds also caused other scattered areas of damage. Trees were downed 4 miles north-northwest of Rush Springs, and 4 miles north of Hastings, and trees and power lines were reported downed at Corum. A second area of thunderstorms developed over portions of Roger Mills County in northwest Oklahoma, and quickly became severe. A mobile home was blown on top of another mobile home 2 miles west-northwest of Hammon. The storms moved into Beckham County and began to produce widespread damage in the Elk City area. Two semis were blown over at a truck stop 2 miles west of Elk City. In the area 3 miles north of I-40 several houses sustained mostly minor roof damage. A house in Erick had a picture window and its framing blown in. As the center of highest winds then moved toward the city of Carter and strengthened, an F-1 gustnado developed. This gustnado moved from 1.5 miles north of Carter to 0.5 miles south of Carter. One and one-half miles north of Carter several barns were destroyed, and the debris was spread northwestward. A brick home had the east side garage door blown in and the garage roof blown northwestward. One mile north-northeast of Carter, a well-anchored mobile home was completely destroyed, and the debris spread westward. The straps and concrete anchors were pulled from the ground. One and one quarter miles northwest of Carter, the tornado moved through a mobile home park where 3 out of 4 mobile homes were completely destroyed. The fourth mobile home received extensive damage but remained standing against the lower portion of several trees. Numerous trees on the south side of the park were completely sheared off 10 to 15 feet above the ground and carried a considerable distance across State Highway 34. The Carter School had extensive roof damage. Along the rest of the storm path, widespread damage was done by straight-line winds. Five and one-half miles south-southwest of Carter, a barn was destroyed, and a farmer lost 100% of his alfalfa, peanut and watermelon crops. Some fields which were ready for harvest the day before looked as if nothing had ever been planted. The strong winds continued moving into southwest Oklahoma. The area of strongest winds passed 2 to 3 miles west of the cities of Willow, Brinkman, and Mangum, but were still close enough to cause extensive damage. In Brinkman, 2 grain elevators received major damage. In Mangum, the entire city received winds of over 80 MPH for 5 to 7 minutes, with gusts in at least 2 areas over 100 MPH. The first area of damage from winds in excess of 100 MPH in Mangum was about 1 mile long and a few hundred yards wide extending from the fairgrounds on the far northwest side of the city south-southeast to about 1/2 mile north of the downtown area. At the fairgrounds a large span building had most of its roof and 2 walls blown down. Just southeast of this location a small wood frame house, a mobile home and several were completely destroyed. Signs and power poles were blown over. The Mangum Elementary School at the south end of this area of maximum winds had extensive wind damage to the roof and west walls. The 2nd area of strong winds around Mangum was located on the east side of the city, and was about 2 miles long. At the beginning (north end) of the damage path, several barns and outbuildings were damaged. The middle of this area had major roof and some wall damage to several brick houses. A 450 foot tall cable TV and communication tower located at the south end of this second damage area was toppled. In the area 1 mile east of Mangum, 2 people were trapped inside their truck when trees and power lines fell on top of the truck. Localized wind damage also continued some distance west of Mangum. A small hay barn 11 miles west of Mangum was blown down. A summary of damage from this second storm includes at least 8 mobile homes totally destroyed, at least some damage to 70 percent of the approximately 800 homes in Carter, Willow, Brinkman, Mangum, significant roof damage to about 20 businesses, and nearly total destruction of all outbuildings and barns in the direct path of the storms. The continuous damage path was about 42 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. There were no reported injuries with this 2nd area of storms. Wind damage also occurred in other areas away from this main damage path. Severe thunderstorm winds blew down an 80,000 pound oil drilling rig and truck carrier 2 miles north of Sentinel. Winds from isolated severe thunderstorms produced tree damage 4 miles south of Hastings and 4 miles south of Delhi. These storms continued their southward movement, where they caused intermittent damage across Jackson County and Tillman County before moving across the Red River into Texas. Power poles were reported downed in Frederick.

Thunderstorms which had developed in Kansas during the morning hours of the 17th moved southward into portions of northwest and central Oklahoma during the afternoon hours of the 17th. Thunderstorm outflow from these storms is believed to help enhance the development of a second round of severe thunderstorms which developed in western Oklahoma and moved into north Texas. In Oklahoma these storms produced winds measured up to 113 miles per hour, hail softball to football size, and 2 tornadoes. The severe thunderstorms were located along 2 main paths. The first area of storms moved into Oklahoma along the Kansas border near Manchester. These storms remained produced damage along a path extending southward to an area between Richland and the area southwest of El Reno in Canadian County. Of the 500 to 800 permanent homes and businesses that were damaged by the first area of severe thunderstorms, all were damaged by large hail driven by high winds. In virtually every case, damage was on the north side of the buildings. Buildings in several areas received lesser damage on the east side, while very few were damaged on the west side. None were damaged on the south side. Damage consisted of dented or perforated siding (including 3 to 4 inch dents and holes in some cases), or broken windows (hail passed through the walls in some cases). A significant number of permanent homes and businesses examined suffered enough damage to render them temporarily unusable. Mobile homes suffered far worse damage than did permanent structures in the same area. Those oriented north-south fared much better than those oriented east-west, but in virtually all cases the windward sides were severely dented, and in some cases stripped of siding. Windows and doors on windward sides were shattered. In several cases, hail was driven through the sides and the roof, and accumulated inside the mobile home. It was estimated that less than one-forth of the 80 to 120 mobile homes that were damaged were liveable immediately afterward, and more than half were damaged beyond repair. Numerous barns, sheds, silos, etc. suffered major damage; several barns were levelled. High winds caused most of the damage. Several hundred utility poles were downed by the storm. Windows on several hundred vehicles were shattered by hail, in many cases there was no glass left on the vehicle. Dents on the sides and tops of cars, trucks, RV's, etc, were several inches in diameter in some cases. Damage to trees and shrubs was extensive, especially in the Lahoma and Drummond area where virtually every deciduous tree within miles, and most of the evergreen trees, were stripped of leaves by the hail. There were few uprooted trees; most of the trees that were damaged by wind were either snapped off near the trunk (a few over 3 feet in diameter) or had large branches removed. Lawns and fields in some areas were beaten into a brown-green mulch. There were places along the storm path where no green vegetation could be seen in any direction. A detailed description of specific damage along selected areas along the storms path follows: ALFALFA COUNTY. Winds downed power poles and tore the roof off a barn 8 miles west of Manchester. Trees limbs were downed 4 miles south, 3 miles west of Manchester. Trees were downed at Goltry. FROM MENO TO LAHOMA TO 5 MILES EAST OF LAHOMA. Widespread damage occurred from 2.5 miles east of Meno to 3 miles east of Lahoma. The storms struck Lahoma between 2:45 PM and 3 PM and was observed as a large cloud of dust approaching from the north. Few, if any, structures in Lahoma were left undamaged, with most damage being in the form of stripped or damaged siding on the north and east sides of buildings. In Lahoma, 102 residences were damaged or destroyed (25 mobile homes and one house destroyed, 5 mobile homes and 25 homes with major damage, and 6 mobile homes and 40 houses with minor damage.) The Lahoma Post Office and the Cimarron School suffered roof damage. Several businesses were damaged, including an RV dealership that lost its entire inventory of RV's and travel trailers, with the loss estimated at $500,000. The Oklahoma Mesonet site 2 miles west of Lahoma (3 miles east of Meno) recorded onset of strong winds between 2:40 and 2:45 PM - a five minute peak gust of 86 miles per hour. It then recorded a five minute winds speed of 78 miles per hour and a peak gust of 113 miles per hour, measured by wind instruments approximately 33 feet above the ground. Another peak gust of 113 miles per hour was measured between 2:50 and 2:55 PM, before the wind equipment was damaged. (Based on damage assessment, peak ground-level winds were estimated to be 75 to 100 MPH.) Several people suffered minor injuries from broken glass, and bruises from hail (the exact number is unknown). Three people were hospitalized, one for a concussion. Several people were treated for hypothermia. DRUMMOND AREA. Virtually every structure in Drummond suffered damage, mostly to windows, roofs, and siding on the north side. An 80 foot metal storage building was destroyed, exposing farm equipment and other contents. A barn 1/2 mile northeast of Drummond was destroyed, and the debris was deposited 1/2 mile to the south. Ten to 15 mobile homes on the north side of Drummond were destroyed or heavily damaged by hail; all were oriented north-south and suffered major damage on their north sides. 2 MILES SOUTH OF DRUMMOND. Tree and roof damage was found on several homes and outbuildings from 1.5 miles west to 2 miles east of Route 132. In a cemetery 1.5 miles west of Highway 132, several headstones were overturned, possibly by debris impact. The caretakers building was destroyed, and debris was spread 100 yards or more to the south. EAST OF LACEY. Within a 2 to 3 mile radius of the junction of routes 51 and 132, several large barns were damaged or destroyed and at least three power poles were downed. DOVER. Tree limbs and many power lines were downed. THE WEST SIDE OF KINGFISHER. Widespread damage occurred to trees, homes, windows, and outbuildings in and around the Lake Elmer area (4 miles west-northwest of downtown Kingfisher). A barn, with an estimated value of $80,000, was destroyed, and debris blown for several hundred yards to the south and southwest. Hail ranged from golfball size. One mobile home was destroyed. MEEKER ADDITION, 2.5 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. Nearly every home was damaged by hail, all on the north side. Most homes also had minor roof damage. A total of 115 homes and eight apartments were damaged. Hail penetrated siding on some homes, leaving holes several inches in diameter. Another 17 homes received similar damage in a subdivision 1 mile northwest of the Meeker Addition. Divots in the ground, and dents or holes in exposed objects, indicate that a few hailstones were baseball size. 2.5 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER TO 4.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. A small (F1) tornado touched down at 3:33 PM and moved south-southeast for 2 miles. A 40 foot aluminum trailer, parked east-west, was lifted over a pickup truck parked to its south and dropped on its side 40 to 50 feet to the south. The pickup was rolled about 20 feet to the south and ended up on a pile of bricks and farm accessories, with its nose about 6 to 8 feet off the ground. Based on eyewitness reports this was probably a gustnado which formed along the leading edge of the storm. 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER ALONG HIGHWAY 81. A motorist drove into large hail at this point at 3:48 PM. He suffered extreme hail damage to his vehicle. The windshield and back window were completely broken out, and there was severe damage to the body of the truck. He then continued south on Highway 81 to the Okarche Police Department to warn them of the approaching storm. The policeman who examined the truck reported a hailstone was lying in the bed of the truck which measured 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches and was said to "look like a football". ALONG HIGHWAY 3, 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OKARCHE. Between 30 to 40 mobile homes, all oriented east-west, were heavily damaged or destroyed by hail or strong winds estimated at 60 to 90 miles per hour. Eyewitnesses reported hail from baseball to softball size. All mobile homes were damaged on the north and east sides; siding was pounded, and all windows were broken. Roofs were lifted from at least 3 mobile homes, one of which disintegrated in a field 50 to 75 yards south of the mobile home from which it was lifted. One residents dog was beaten to death by the hail, and several chickens and ducks were also killed. 11 MILES WEST, 4 MILES SOUTH OF EL RENO. Severe thunderstorm winds ripped the door off a storm cellar. Thunderstorm winds also caused other scattered areas of damage. Trees were downed 4 miles north-northwest of Rush Springs, and 4 miles north of Hastings, and trees and power lines were reported downed at Corum. A second area of thunderstorms developed over portions of Roger Mills County in northwest Oklahoma, and quickly became severe. A mobile home was blown on top of another mobile home 2 miles west-northwest of Hammon. The storms moved into Beckham County and began to produce widespread damage in the Elk City area. Two semis were blown over at a truck stop 2 miles west of Elk City. In the area 3 miles north of I-40 several houses sustained mostly minor roof damage. A house in Erick had a picture window and its framing blown in. As the center of highest winds then moved toward the city of Carter and strengthened, an F-1 gustnado developed. This gustnado moved from 1.5 miles north of Carter to 0.5 miles south of Carter. One and one-half miles north of Carter several barns were destroyed, and the debris was spread northwestward. A brick home had the east side garage door blown in and the garage roof blown northwestward. One mile north-northeast of Carter, a well-anchored mobile home was completely destroyed, and the debris spread westward. The straps and concrete anchors were pulled from the ground. One and one quarter miles northwest of Carter, the tornado moved through a mobile home park where 3 out of 4 mobile homes were completely destroyed. The fourth mobile home received extensive damage but remained standing against the lower portion of several trees. Numerous trees on the south side of the park were completely sheared off 10 to 15 feet above the ground and carried a considerable distance across State Highway 34. The Carter School had extensive roof damage. Along the rest of the storm path, widespread damage was done by straight-line winds. Five and one-half miles south-southwest of Carter, a barn was destroyed, and a farmer lost 100% of his alfalfa, peanut and watermelon crops. Some fields which were ready for harvest the day before looked as if nothing had ever been planted. The strong winds continued moving into southwest Oklahoma. The area of strongest winds passed 2 to 3 miles west of the cities of Willow, Brinkman, and Mangum, but were still close enough to cause extensive damage. In Brinkman, 2 grain elevators received major damage. In Mangum, the entire city received winds of over 80 MPH for 5 to 7 minutes, with gusts in at least 2 areas over 100 MPH. The first area of damage from winds in excess of 100 MPH in Mangum was about 1 mile long and a few hundred yards wide extending from the fairgrounds on the far northwest side of the city south-southeast to about 1/2 mile north of the downtown area. At the fairgrounds a large span building had most of its roof and 2 walls blown down. Just southeast of this location a small wood frame house, a mobile home and several were completely destroyed. Signs and power poles were blown over. The Mangum Elementary School at the south end of this area of maximum winds had extensive wind damage to the roof and west walls. The 2nd area of strong winds around Mangum was located on the east side of the city, and was about 2 miles long. At the beginning (north end) of the damage path, several barns and outbuildings were damaged. The middle of this area had major roof and some wall damage to several brick houses. A 450 foot tall cable TV and communication tower located at the south end of this second damage area was toppled. In the area 1 mile east of Mangum, 2 people were trapped inside their truck when trees and power lines fell on top of the truck. Localized wind damage also continued some distance west of Mangum. A small hay barn 11 miles west of Mangum was blown down. A summary of damage from this second storm includes at least 8 mobile homes totally destroyed, at least some damage to 70 percent of the approximately 800 homes in Carter, Willow, Brinkman, Mangum, significant roof damage to about 20 businesses, and nearly total destruction of all outbuildings and barns in the direct path of the storms. The continuous damage path was about 42 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. There were no reported injuries with this 2nd area of storms. Wind damage also occurred in other areas away from this main damage path. Severe thunderstorm winds blew down an 80,000 pound oil drilling rig and truck carrier 2 miles north of Sentinel. Winds from isolated severe thunderstorms produced tree damage 4 miles south of Hastings and 4 miles south of Delhi. These storms continued their southward movement, where they caused intermittent damage across Jackson County and Tillman County before moving across the Red River into Texas. Power poles were reported downed in Frederick.

Thunderstorms which had developed in Kansas during the morning hours of the 17th moved southward into portions of northwest and central Oklahoma during the afternoon hours of the 17th. Thunderstorm outflow from these storms is believed to help enhance the development of a second round of severe thunderstorms which developed in western Oklahoma and moved into north Texas. In Oklahoma these storms produced winds measured up to 113 miles per hour, hail softball to football size, and 2 tornadoes. The severe thunderstorms were located along 2 main paths. The first area of storms moved into Oklahoma along the Kansas border near Manchester. These storms remained produced damage along a path extending southward to an area between Richland and the area southwest of El Reno in Canadian County. Of the 500 to 800 permanent homes and businesses that were damaged by the first area of severe thunderstorms, all were damaged by large hail driven by high winds. In virtually every case, damage was on the north side of the buildings. Buildings in several areas received lesser damage on the east side, while very few were damaged on the west side. None were damaged on the south side. Damage consisted of dented or perforated siding (including 3 to 4 inch dents and holes in some cases), or broken windows (hail passed through the walls in some cases). A significant number of permanent homes and businesses examined suffered enough damage to render them temporarily unusable. Mobile homes suffered far worse damage than did permanent structures in the same area. Those oriented north-south fared much better than those oriented east-west, but in virtually all cases the windward sides were severely dented, and in some cases stripped of siding. Windows and doors on windward sides were shattered. In several cases, hail was driven through the sides and the roof, and accumulated inside the mobile home. It was estimated that less than one-forth of the 80 to 120 mobile homes that were damaged were liveable immediately afterward, and more than half were damaged beyond repair. Numerous barns, sheds, silos, etc. suffered major damage; several barns were levelled. High winds caused most of the damage. Several hundred utility poles were downed by the storm. Windows on several hundred vehicles were shattered by hail, in many cases there was no glass left on the vehicle. Dents on the sides and tops of cars, trucks, RV's, etc, were several inches in diameter in some cases. Damage to trees and shrubs was extensive, especially in the Lahoma and Drummond area where virtually every deciduous tree within miles, and most of the evergreen trees, were stripped of leaves by the hail. There were few uprooted trees; most of the trees that were damaged by wind were either snapped off near the trunk (a few over 3 feet in diameter) or had large branches removed. Lawns and fields in some areas were beaten into a brown-green mulch. There were places along the storm path where no green vegetation could be seen in any direction. A detailed description of specific damage along selected areas along the storms path follows: ALFALFA COUNTY. Winds downed power poles and tore the roof off a barn 8 miles west of Manchester. Trees limbs were downed 4 miles south, 3 miles west of Manchester. Trees were downed at Goltry. FROM MENO TO LAHOMA TO 5 MILES EAST OF LAHOMA. Widespread damage occurred from 2.5 miles east of Meno to 3 miles east of Lahoma. The storms struck Lahoma between 2:45 PM and 3 PM and was observed as a large cloud of dust approaching from the north. Few, if any, structures in Lahoma were left undamaged, with most damage being in the form of stripped or damaged siding on the north and east sides of buildings. In Lahoma, 102 residences were damaged or destroyed (25 mobile homes and one house destroyed, 5 mobile homes and 25 homes with major damage, and 6 mobile homes and 40 houses with minor damage.) The Lahoma Post Office and the Cimarron School suffered roof damage. Several businesses were damaged, including an RV dealership that lost its entire inventory of RV's and travel trailers, with the loss estimated at $500,000. The Oklahoma Mesonet site 2 miles west of Lahoma (3 miles east of Meno) recorded onset of strong winds between 2:40 and 2:45 PM - a five minute peak gust of 86 miles per hour. It then recorded a five minute winds speed of 78 miles per hour and a peak gust of 113 miles per hour, measured by wind instruments approximately 33 feet above the ground. Another peak gust of 113 miles per hour was measured between 2:50 and 2:55 PM, before the wind equipment was damaged. (Based on damage assessment, peak ground-level winds were estimated to be 75 to 100 MPH.) Several people suffered minor injuries from broken glass, and bruises from hail (the exact number is unknown). Three people were hospitalized, one for a concussion. Several people were treated for hypothermia. DRUMMOND AREA. Virtually every structure in Drummond suffered damage, mostly to windows, roofs, and siding on the north side. An 80 foot metal storage building was destroyed, exposing farm equipment and other contents. A barn 1/2 mile northeast of Drummond was destroyed, and the debris was deposited 1/2 mile to the south. Ten to 15 mobile homes on the north side of Drummond were destroyed or heavily damaged by hail; all were oriented north-south and suffered major damage on their north sides. 2 MILES SOUTH OF DRUMMOND. Tree and roof damage was found on several homes and outbuildings from 1.5 miles west to 2 miles east of Route 132. In a cemetery 1.5 miles west of Highway 132, several headstones were overturned, possibly by debris impact. The caretakers building was destroyed, and debris was spread 100 yards or more to the south. EAST OF LACEY. Within a 2 to 3 mile radius of the junction of routes 51 and 132, several large barns were damaged or destroyed and at least three power poles were downed. DOVER. Tree limbs and many power lines were downed. THE WEST SIDE OF KINGFISHER. Widespread damage occurred to trees, homes, windows, and outbuildings in and around the Lake Elmer area (4 miles west-northwest of downtown Kingfisher). A barn, with an estimated value of $80,000, was destroyed, and debris blown for several hundred yards to the south and southwest. Hail ranged from golfball size. One mobile home was destroyed. MEEKER ADDITION, 2.5 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. Nearly every home was damaged by hail, all on the north side. Most homes also had minor roof damage. A total of 115 homes and eight apartments were damaged. Hail penetrated siding on some homes, leaving holes several inches in diameter. Another 17 homes received similar damage in a subdivision 1 mile northwest of the Meeker Addition. Divots in the ground, and dents or holes in exposed objects, indicate that a few hailstones were baseball size. 2.5 MILES WEST-SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER TO 4.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER. A small (F1) tornado touched down at 3:33 PM and moved south-southeast for 2 miles. A 40 foot aluminum trailer, parked east-west, was lifted over a pickup truck parked to its south and dropped on its side 40 to 50 feet to the south. The pickup was rolled about 20 feet to the south and ended up on a pile of bricks and farm accessories, with its nose about 6 to 8 feet off the ground. Based on eyewitness reports this was probably a gustnado which formed along the leading edge of the storm. 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGFISHER ALONG HIGHWAY 81. A motorist drove into large hail at this point at 3:48 PM. He suffered extreme hail damage to his vehicle. The windshield and back window were completely broken out, and there was severe damage to the body of the truck. He then continued south on Highway 81 to the Okarche Police Department to warn them of the approaching storm. The policeman who examined the truck reported a hailstone was lying in the bed of the truck which measured 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches and was said to "look like a football". ALONG HIGHWAY 3, 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OKARCHE. Between 30 to 40 mobile homes, all oriented east-west, were heavily damaged or destroyed by hail or strong winds estimated at 60 to 90 miles per hour. Eyewitnesses reported hail from baseball to softball size. All mobile homes were damaged on the north and east sides; siding was pounded, and all windows were broken. Roofs were lifted from at least 3 mobile homes, one of which disintegrated in a field 50 to 75 yards south of the mobile home from which it was lifted. One residents dog was beaten to death by the hail, and several chickens and ducks were also killed. 11 MILES WEST, 4 MILES SOUTH OF EL RENO. Severe thunderstorm winds ripped the door off a storm cellar. Thunderstorm winds also caused other scattered areas of damage. Trees were downed 4 miles north-northwest of Rush Springs, and 4 miles north of Hastings, and trees and power lines were reported downed at Corum. A second area of thunderstorms developed over portions of Roger Mills County in northwest Oklahoma, and quickly became severe. A mobile home was blown on top of another mobile home 2 miles west-northwest of Hammon. The storms moved into Beckham County and began to produce widespread damage in the Elk City area. Two semis were blown over at a truck stop 2 miles west of Elk City. In the area 3 miles north of I-40 several houses sustained mostly minor roof damage. A house in Erick had a picture window and its framing blown in. As the center of highest winds then moved toward the city of Carter and strengthened, an F-1 gustnado developed. This gustnado moved from 1.5 miles north of Carter to 0.5 miles south of Carter. One and one-half miles north of Carter several barns were destroyed, and the debris was spread northwestward. A brick home had the east side garage door blown in and the garage roof blown northwestward. One mile north-northeast of Carter, a well-anchored mobile home was completely destroyed, and the debris spread westward. The straps and concrete anchors were pulled from the ground. One and one quarter miles northwest of Carter, the tornado moved through a mobile home park where 3 out of 4 mobile homes were completely destroyed. The fourth mobile home received extensive damage but remained standing against the lower portion of several trees. Numerous trees on the south side of the park were completely sheared off 10 to 15 feet above the ground and carried a considerable distance across State Highway 34. The Carter School had extensive roof damage. Along the rest of the storm path, widespread damage was done by straight-line winds. Five and one-half miles south-southwest of Carter, a barn was destroyed, and a farmer lost 100% of his alfalfa, peanut and watermelon crops. Some fields which were ready for harvest the day before looked as if nothing had ever been planted. The strong winds continued moving into southwest Oklahoma. The area of strongest winds passed 2 to 3 miles west of the cities of Willow, Brinkman, and Mangum, but were still close enough to cause extensive damage. In Brinkman, 2 grain elevators received major damage. In Mangum, the entire city received winds of over 80 MPH for 5 to 7 minutes, with gusts in at least 2 areas over 100 MPH. The first area of damage from winds in excess of 100 MPH in Mangum was about 1 mile long and a few hundred yards wide extending from the fairgrounds on the far northwest side of the city south-southeast to about 1/2 mile north of the downtown area. At the fairgrounds a large span building had most of its roof and 2 walls blown down. Just southeast of this location a small wood frame house, a mobile home and several were completely destroyed. Signs and power poles were blown over. The Mangum Elementary School at the south end of this area of maximum winds had extensive wind damage to the roof and west walls. The 2nd area of strong winds around Mangum was located on the east side of the city, and was about 2 miles long. At the beginning (north end) of the damage path, several barns and outbuildings were damaged. The middle of this area had major roof and some wall damage to several brick houses. A 450 foot tall cable TV and communication tower located at the south end of this second damage area was toppled. In the area 1 mile east of Mangum, 2 people were trapped inside their truck when trees and power lines fell on top of the truck. Localized wind damage also continued some distance west of Mangum. A small hay barn 11 miles west of Mangum was blown down. A summary of damage from this second storm includes at least 8 mobile homes totally destroyed, at least some damage to 70 percent of the approximately 800 homes in Carter, Willow, Brinkman, Mangum, significant roof damage to about 20 businesses, and nearly total destruction of all outbuildings and barns in the direct path of the storms. The continuous damage path was about 42 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. There were no reported injuries with this 2nd area of storms. Wind damage also occurred in other areas away from this main damage path. Severe thunderstorm winds blew down an 80,000 pound oil drilling rig and truck carrier 2 miles north of Sentinel. Winds from isolated severe thunderstorms produced tree damage 4 miles south of Hastings and 4 miles south of Delhi. These storms continued their southward movement, where they caused intermittent damage across Jackson County and Tillman County before moving across the Red River into Texas. Power poles were reported downed in Frederick.