Oklahoma, 1997

Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, July 19, 1997

July 19, 1997 · NWS OUN · 10 events in 7 counties and zones

Summary of events of July 19, 1997:Slow-moving nighttime thunderstorms containing torrential rain moved across northern and central Oklahoma. With the ground already at or near saturation across much of the area, these thunderstorms triggered widespread flash flooding, particularly in north-central Oklahoma.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
$1.1 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
10

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 19, 1997:Slow-moving nighttime thunderstorms containing torrential rain moved across northern and central Oklahoma. With the ground already at or near saturation across much of the area, these thunderstorms triggered widespread flash flooding, particularly in north-central Oklahoma. Primarily in Garfield and eastern Major Counties, Turkey Creek, Indian Creek, and Sand Creek and their tributaries that normally only contain a scant foot of water swelled to 8 to 10 feet deep in less than 3 hours. Long time area residents could not recall a time when these creeks had ever been higher or risen as fast. Flood damage to county roads and bridges in these two counties was extensive, topping the million dollar mark. See preceding individual Storm Data entries for further details and additional reports.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Alfalfa

When
July 19, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Alfalfa County, Goltry
Coordinates
36.731, -98.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered Highway 45 including the towns of Goltry, Helena, and Carrier.

Flash Flood, Garfield

When
July 19, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Garfield County, Countywide
Property damage
$1.0 million
Coordinates
36.379, -97.783 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads across the county were closed as water rose to depths of up to four feet. In all, nine bridges were destroyed or severely damaged and eight roads were indefinately closed due to this bridge damage. County officials estimated total losses to the county (due to road and bridge damage) at $1,000,000.

Flash Flood, Grant

When
July 19, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Grant County, 2 mi W of Nash
Coordinates
36.796, -97.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water washed over a small bridge on Highway 64.

Flash Flood, Kay

When
July 19, 3:10 AM CST
Where
Kay County, Ponca City
Coordinates
36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads in and near town were completely flooded.

Flash Flood, Noble

When
July 19, 3:47 AM CST
Where
Noble County, Countywide
Coordinates
36.389, -97.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water was curb-deep in towns throughout the county.

Flash Flood, Garfield

When
July 19, 5:00 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where
Garfield County, Lahoma
Coordinates
36.379, -97.783 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Turkey Creek flooded north and east of town and resulted in the closing of Highway 412. One farmer lost 31 head of cattle in the floodwaters. Numerous other animals were injured as Turkey Creek and its tributaries rose to near-record flood levels.

Flash Flood, Major

When
July 19, 6:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Major County, Eastern Half
Property damage
$50,000
Coordinates
36.312, -98.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The eastern half of Major County suffered extensive damage to roads and bridges due to flash flooding. County officials estimated the county's losses at $50,000.

Flash Flood, Alfalfa

When
July 19, 7:00 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where
Alfalfa County, Cherokee
Coordinates
36.731, -98.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 64 from Jett to Cherokee was closed.

Flash Flood, Garfield

When
July 19, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Garfield County, Enid
Property damage
$5,000
Coordinates
36.379, -97.783 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A major flash flood on Turkey Creek resulted in the flooding of a house and a nearby mobile home trailer and necessitated the swift-water rescue of a family of four from this flooded home.

Flash Flood, Oklahoma

When
July 19, 11:00 AM CST
Where
Oklahoma County, Harrah
Coordinates
35.552, -97.407 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several cars stalled on roads that were nearly impassable due to the high water.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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: 5618824, 5618904, 5618905, 5618906, 5618907, 5618908, 5618911, 5618909, 5618912, 5618910.