Oklahoma, 1997

Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, July 15, 1997

July 15, 1997 · NWS OUN · 7 events in 6 counties and zones

Summary of events of July 15, 1997:Daytime severe thunderstorms moved across portions of central and southern Oklahoma, bringing strong winds and large hail. The largest reported hail fell east of Southard in Blaine County, where hail as large as half-dollars was observed.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$2,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.

Summary of events of July 15, 1997:Daytime severe thunderstorms moved across portions of central and southern Oklahoma, bringing strong winds and large hail. The largest reported hail fell east of Southard in Blaine County, where hail as large as half-dollars was observed. Significant wind damage occurred in Wayne in McClain County, where severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 mph damaged awnings, a wellhouse, and several trees. Other more minor damage was reported near Southard in Blaine County and in Madill in Marshall County. See preceding individual Storm Data entries for further information and additional reports.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

5 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Comanche

When
July 15, 1:15 PM CST
Where
Comanche County, Lake Lawtonka
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
34.750, -98.500

Hail, Garvin

When
July 15, 1:35 PM CST
Where
Garvin County, Lindsay
Measured
0.75 in hail
Coordinates
34.830, -97.600

Hail, McClain

When
July 15, 1:48 PM CST
Where
McClain County, Wayne
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
34.920, -97.320

Thunderstorm Wind, McClain

When
July 15, 1:48 PM CST
Where
McClain County, Wayne
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage
$2,000
Coordinates
34.920, -97.320

A roof was blown off a wellhouse, several trees were blown over, and several awnings were blown off buildings by winds estimated at 70 mph.

Hail, Coal

When
July 15, 2:35 PM CST
Where
Coal County, 5 mi N of Cairo
Measured
0.88 in hail
Coordinates
34.650, -96.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When
July 15, 3:15 PM CST
Where
Marshall County, Madill
Property damage
$400
Coordinates
34.080, -96.770

Power poles were blown down.

Hail, Seminole

When
July 15, 4:25 PM CST
Where
Seminole County, Cromwell
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
35.330, -96.470

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Oklahoma in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, July 1997

Sources

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: 5618623, 5618621, 5618620, 5618622, 5618618, 5618619, 5618617.