Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, May 25, 1997

This description, with very minimal editing, was taken from a damage survey conducted by a National Weather Service meteorologist on Monday May 26th (Memorial Day), the day after the tornado occurred.This tornado, rated F1, began 3 miles northeast of Tabler at 15:14 CST and tracked just south of due east for about 2.5 miles before dissipating 2.5 miles south-southwest of Middleberg at 15:24 CST. The maximum width of the damage path was 75 yards. Structural damage was confined to a dairy farm near the beginning of the track; otherwise, this tornado remained over mostly open country.Spotter observations and corresponding video confirm that the first tornado formed rapidly west of State Highway 9 at 15:14 CST, in mostly open country between Tabler and Middleberg. Survey results located the first signs of damage to trees just west of the Mid-Am Dairy Farm (or R & S Dairy), located 3 miles northeast of Tabler. More than a dozen trees lost large branches near and west of the dairy. At the dairy itself, a mobile home was destroyed, power lines were downed, and two metal outbuildings suffered heavy damage to roofs and walls. Metal grain silos also were damaged. Considering the construction of the outbuildings and the large piles of hay bales near the mobile home that were relatively unaffected, damage in this area was rated F1. The maximum path width of about 75 yards, based on visible damage and on video, was estimated to be in this area. Observations and video indicate that the tornado then proceeded eastward and eventually east-southeastward, narrowing to a thin, mostly vertical rope funnel that underwent several cycles of lifting and returning to ground contact. However, the circulation was likely in contact with the ground the entire time. The funnel crossed Highway 9 around 15:22 CST 2.5 miles southwest of Middleberg, where several trees lost large branches and a road sign was damaged. Between the dairy and this point, the tornado track was inaccessible. Although the funnel lifted from the ground shortly after crossing the highway, video confirms that a tight, small circulation with ground condensation persisted, crossing an open field southeast of the road. This rotation at the ground lasted about another two minutes before dissipating at about 15:24 CST. Since the tornado passed over open country, no further damage was found.

The roof was blown off a mobile home by severe thunderstorm winds.

This description was taken almost entirely, and with minimal editing, from a damage survey conducted Monday May 26th (Memorial Day), the day after the tornado, by a National Weather Service meteorologist.This tornado, rated F2, began 5 miles east of Criner, or 7 miles west-southwest of downtown Purcell, in southern McClain County. The beginning time of this tornado is not entirely certain but is believed to be near or just after 16:00 CST. This tornado tracked just south of due east for 6 miles, ending about 4 miles northwest of Wayne or 4 miles south of downtown Purcell at around 16:24 CST. At its widest, the damage path was estimated to be 3/4 mile wide. Numerous power lines were downed, prompting the temporary closing of both Highways 24 and 74 for a time during the evening. At least 18 dwellings, including mobile homes and permanent dwellings, were destroyed or suffered major damage. This probably was a multiple-vortex tornado, at least in its latter stages, based on eyewitness reports. No one was killed or seriously injured by this tornado, but two minor injuries were reported. Damage began along a concentrated path from along Highway 24 around 3 miles south and 1 mile east of Woody Chapel (which is located at the intersection of Highways 39 and 24 about 3 miles south of Washington). Details are described below, highlighting six areas along the damage track.Along Hwy 24, 5 miles east of Criner, sheet metal was scattered over about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile path, apparently the remnants of a destroyed outbuilding. Several large trees were toppled or heavily damaged in this area. Damage was F1. Tree damage also was noted over a larger area 1 mile west of this location (or 3 miles south of Woody Chapel on Highway 24), along with a few pieces of sheet metal debris. Since damage in this area was more minor (small to medium size branches broken) and notconcentrated, straight-line winds were considered the likely source. Also along Hwy 24, from Hwy 112 southward for about a mile, power lines were downed along a 1/4 to 1/2 mile stretch of the road. Considerable debris was found from fallen trees, metal outbuildings, etc. Damage was F1. About 1 mile east of Hwy 24 and 1 mile south of Hwy 112, a home was unroofed. Widespread but mostly minor tree damage was noted, with trees uprooted and/or branches snapped off. Aside from the home with the damaged roof, there were few if any other manmade structures in the area. Damage probably was F1, but an exact determination could not be made since the roof was being repaired at the time of the survey.On Emu Road, 1/2 to 1 mile south of Hwy 112 and 2 miles east of Hwy 24, one permanent home was destroyed. Numerous large trees were downed - some snapped off, and others uprooted. Several of the uprooted trees fell toward the northwest, others to the southwest. Damage was considered F2. At Highway 74 and Horse Road, (3.5 to 4.5 miles east of Hwy 24 and 1 mile south of Hwy 112), the worst damage and widest damage path (about 3/4 mile wide) were in this area. Power lines were downed along Hwy 74 for nearly a mile. Numerous large trees were snapped off or uprooted. In one area between the two roads, nearly every tree suffered some kind of significant damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed along Horse Road. One was blown east and landed across the street near a church. The other rolled three times and landed 50 to 100 feet northeast of its original location. Two women, a mother and daughter, were inside the second mobile home and were lucky to escape with only minor injuries. Metal outbuildings, satellite dishes, fences, and at least one pickup truck were destroyed - mostly by impacts from other blown objects. However, the church, which was brick, sustained only minor structural damage to the exterior, as the roof was intact and only a few shingles were missing. (Broken windows in the church led to more substantial damage on the interior as rain and wind entered the building.) Damage in this area was considered F2, but the fact that the church escaped with such minor damage to its exterior suggests either a lower rating or the possibility of a multiple-vortex tornado. At least one eyewitness indicated a second tornado. Although the entire damage track appeared consistent and more-or-less continuous, suggesting only one tornado, the eyewitness account and the observed gradients in damage intensity suggest that this probably was a multiple-vortex tornado, at least in its latter stages.From 1/4 to 1/2 mile east of Horse Road, a large home suffered major damage, with most of the second floor destroyed. Downed trees were widespread. Damage was rated F2. Another home immediately east of this location lost part of its roof. But farther east, near Interstate 35, several homes were undamaged and no significant damage could be found - except for a lone uprooted tree immediately west of the interstate.

A tornado was reported by spotters southwest of Cyril near the Caddo/Comanche County line. (This is the same tornado as 1 N Fletcher in Comanche County.) No reported damage.

A tornado was reported by spotters just north of Fletcher near the Caddo/Comanche County line. (This is the same tornado as 4 SW Cyril in Caddo County.) No reported damage.

This description was taken almost entirely from a damage survey conducted by a National Weather Service meteorologist. An outbuilding was damaged on a farm along a section of road 2 miles north and 1 mile east of Wayne, about 1 mile south of the south bank of the Canadian River. Sheet metal was dispersed across the area, and a few trees were damaged. Otherwise this tornado remained in open country. Initial development, based on video, was around 16:32 CST with a duration of less than 2 minutes before it quickly dissipated. Maximum path width was 20 yards or less, path length was 1/4 mile or less, and damage was rated F0.

Severe thunderstorm winds blew a roof off a barn, uprooted trees, blew siding off a house, and destroyed small metal storage buildings.

Lightning struck and set fire to a mobile home

Brief tornado touchdown reported near Antioch (7 miles south of Maysville) by spotters. No reported damage.

Severe thunderstorm winds uprooted 2 large trees.

A tornado was observed about 3 miles south of Duncan and 1 mile east of Highway 81 by storm spotters. At this location (on "Old Highway 81"), a travel trailer was destroyed, a roof was blown off a large workshop, a brick home was damaged by a falling tree, and a van was damaged. Nearby trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and a mobile home was destroyed. A puppy that had been inside the damaged mobile home was found 1/4 mile north of the house in someone else's yard. In the same area, 8 empty grain train cars were blown over off a side track.

A brief tornado was observed east of Joy. No reported damage.

A brief tornado was reported by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer. No reported damage.

Estimated 70 to 80 mph winds

Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 mph blew a roof off a barn and downed trees.

A tornado unroofed a barn and downed a swath of trees.

Reported by spotter. No reported damage.

Reported by spotter. No reported damage.

Reported by emergency manager. No reported damage.

A tornado downed a swath of trees northwest of Newkirk.

Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees.

Severe thunderstorm winds downed power lines and trees.