Summary of events of July 11, 1997:Afternoon and evening severe thunderstorms moved across portions of southwestern Oklahoma, bringing strong winds and significant damage. The strongest winds were measured near Willow in Greer County, where thunderstorm winds reached 64 mph.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.
Summary of events of July 11, 1997:Afternoon and evening severe thunderstorms moved across portions of southwestern Oklahoma, bringing strong winds and significant damage. By late evening, extended periods of heavy rain also began to cause flash flooding.The strongest winds were measured near Willow in Greer County, where thunderstorm winds reached 64 mph. Damage was reported in Canute in Washita County, in Hollis in Harmon County, and east of Eldorado in Jackson County. The most extensive flash flooding occurred in Greer County, with other reports of flash flooding near Lone Wolf in Kiowa and near Blair in Jackson County.See preceding individual Storm Data entries for further information and additional reports.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Two tractor trailer trucks were blown over on Interstate 40, and numerous limbs were broken, trees were snapped, and power lines were downed.
Severe thunderstorm winds damaged fences and roofs, blew windows out, split or uprooted several trees, and destroyed one carport.
measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site.
Power poles were blown down.
measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site.
Water covered Highway 6 south of Granite and Highway 283 east of Mangum. Many rural roads were flooded.
Rural roads were closed due to high water.
A farm road was closed due to high water.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, July 1997
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5618603, 5618610, 5618604, 5618606, 5618605, 5618607, 5618608, 5618609.