Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 7 to 8, 1997

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 7 to 8, 1997
Start: 1997-05-07T16:25
End: 1997-05-08T01:30
Location: Oklahoma

May 7 to 8, 1997 · NWS OUN · 45 events in 16 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $319,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 45

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 May 7, 1997:Severe thunderstorms moved through parts of western, central, and north-central Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of May 7th. Reports of large hail, flash flooding, damaging severe winds, and four tornadoes were received. The first tornado, and the only tornado that caused damage, moved from west of Wakita to south of Wakita in Grant County. Because the damage was limited to power poles and trees, the tornado was rated as F0. The second and third tornadoes, both brief and rated F0, were reported near Deer Creek (also in Grant County) by the county sheriff's office. The fourth and final tornado was observed west of Blackwell in Kay County by a county spotter. Once again, no damage resulted and the tornado was rated F0.Severe straight-line winds officially measured at up to 81 mph (near Weatherford in Custer County) caused widespread and extensive damage in portions of western Oklahoma. Beckham and Custer Counties were particularly hard-hit with major damage in Erick, Sayre, Elk City, Arapaho, Weatherford, Binger, and Clinton. Other wind damage also occurred in Wakita and near Medford in Grant County, in Canute and Cordell in Washita County, and in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County.The largest hail was reported southwest of Renfrow in Grant County, where hail as large as golf balls fell. Flash flooding also occurred as storms moved repeatedly across parts of north-central Oklahoma producing very heavy rain. Reports of flash flooding were received from Grant County in and around Medford, most of southern Kay County, and Noble County near Red Rock and Perry.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

23 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail, 4 tornado, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: May 7, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 4 mi S of Tipton
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph)
Coordinates: 34.450, -99.130

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Hail, Alfalfa

When: May 7, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Alfalfa County, 10 mi ENE of Amorita
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.970, -98.120

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 4:47 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 2 mi WNW of Gibbon
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.950, -98.020

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 5:18 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Medford
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 36.820, -97.730

Tornado, Grant

When: May 7, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Wakita to 2 mi S of Wakita
Rating: F0
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 36.880, -97.950

A tornado touched down 2 miles west of Wakita and moved southeast to a location 1 mile south of Wakita on Highway 11A. Along this path, 9 power poles and numerous tree limbs were blown down and the cross-arms on all of the remaining utility poles were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: May 7, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Wakita
Property damage: $2,000
Coordinates: 36.880, -97.920

Severe thunderstorm winds blew part of the roof off of a 2-story storage building.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: May 7, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 4 mi NW of Medford
Property damage: $7,000
Coordinates: 36.850, -97.780

A roof was blown off a grain elevator by severe thunderstorm winds.

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 3 mi SW of Renfrow
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 36.880, -97.680

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 6:36 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 2 mi W of Deer Creek
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.800, -97.550

at the intersection of Highways 11 and 74

Tornado, Grant

When: May 7, 6:52 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Deer Creek
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Coordinates: 36.800, -97.520

Brief touchdown reported by County Sheriff's Office

Tornado, Grant

When: May 7, 6:53 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Deer Creek
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Coordinates: 36.800, -97.520

Second brief touchdown reported by County Sheriff's Office

Tornado, Kay

When: May 7, 6:58 PM CST
Where: Kay County, 7 mi W of Blackwell
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Coordinates: 36.800, -97.420

Reported by a county spotter

Hail, Ellis

When: May 7, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Ellis County, 12 mi SW of Arnett
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 36.020, -99.920

Hail, Kay

When: May 7, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Kay County, 3 mi SW of Ponca City
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.670, -97.120

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 8 mi ESE of Medford
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.770, -97.600

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 6 mi NNE of Medford
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.900, -97.700

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 3 mi SW of Renfrow
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 36.880, -97.680

Flash Flood, Grant

When: May 7, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Medford
Coordinates: 36.796, -97.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 81 from Medford to the Kansas state line was closed due to high water covering the road at many locations.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beckham

When: May 7, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Beckham County, Erick
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 35.220, -99.870

Severe thunderstorm winds up to 79 mph caused extensive damage throughout Erick. Numerous signs, utility poles, and trees were broken in and around town, including 30 utility poles that were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beckham

When: May 7, 8:25 PM CST
Where: Beckham County, 4 mi ESE of Erick
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph)
Coordinates: 35.200, -99.800

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Thunderstorm Wind, Beckham

When: May 7, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Beckham County, Sayre
Property damage: $15,000
Coordinates: 35.300, -99.650

Severe thunderstorm winds blew part of the roof off of the Sayre elementary school library. Winds also uprooted large trees and downed at least one utility pole in town. Reports of more minor tree and roof damage were widepsread across Sayre.

Thunderstorm Wind, Roger Mills

When: May 7, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Roger Mills County, 6 mi SW of Cheyenne
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 35.550, -99.750

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Thunderstorm Wind, Beckham

When: May 7, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Beckham County, 4 mi ESE of Erick
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates: 35.200, -99.800

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Flash Flood, Kay

When: May 7, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Kay County, Countywide
Coordinates: 36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads and highways were flooded and closed across the southern half of the county. Stalled vehicles and accidents were also reported.

Hail, Grant

When: May 7, 8:37 PM CST
Where: Grant County, Lamont
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.700, -97.550

Hail, Roger Mills

When: May 7, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Roger Mills County, 3 mi SW of Hammon
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 35.600, -99.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Beckham

When: May 7, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Beckham County, Elk City
Property damage: $35,000
Coordinates: 35.420, -99.420

Severe thunderstorm winds in Elk City blew the roof off of one business and blew eight overhead doors out of several other businesses. On the edge of town an 11,000 pound tank trailer was blown onto its side and into a fence. Countless trees and limbs were snapped and signs were downed throughout town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washita

When: May 7, 8:54 PM CST
Where: Washita County, Canute
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage: $4,000
Coordinates: 35.420, -99.280

Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 75 mph blew signs down in Canute.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Custer County, Arapaho
Property damage: $1,000
Coordinates: 35.570, -98.950

Light and power poles were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kiowa

When: May 7, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Kiowa County, 4 mi SE of Hobart
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph)
Coordinates: 34.980, -99.050

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:20 PM CST to 9:25 PM CST
Where: Custer County, 4 mi WSW of Weatherford
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 35.520, -98.780

The 5-minute average wind speed (sustained wind) from 9:20 pm to 9:25 pm CST was measured at 52 mph at the Oklahoma Mesonet site, with a peak gust during this time of 81 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:25 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Custer County, 4 mi WSW of Weatherford
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph)
Coordinates: 35.520, -98.780

The 5-minute average wind speed (sustained wind) from 9:25 pm to 9:30 pm CST was measured at 61 mph at the Oklahoma Mesonet site, with a peak gust during this time of 77 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:30 PM CST
Where: Custer County, Weatherford
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 35.530, -98.720

Severe thunderstorm winds up to 96 mph (measured by a local firefighter) caused widespread and heavy damage in and around Weatherford. Extensive tree, sign, limb, fence, and window damage was reported. At least 7 power poles were snapped in the Weatherford vicinity.Some of the most severe structural damage occurred at South Western Oklahoma State University, where the roof was blown off of the auditorium. Portions of the auditorium roof landed on and destroyed a police car. The roof was also blown off a campus elevator shaft. Pieces of this second roof landed on and crushed one car and damaged a second vehicle. Elsewhere in town the roof was blown off of a building at an industrial park and the doors were blown in at a salvage yard. The portable bleachers were flipped over a fence and the foul pole was bent 40 degrees at the high school baseball field. Some of the tin on the front of the school cafeteria was also damaged.Just east of town, severe thunderstorm winds caused 4 tractor-trailer trucks to jack-knife and blew another semi-truck over on I-40. The interstate was completely closed for one and a half hours as the trucks were cleared from the highway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:30 PM CST to 9:35 PM CST
Where: Custer County, 4 mi WSW of Weatherford
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 35.520, -98.780

The 5-minute average wind speed (sustained wind) from 9:30 pm to 9:35 pm CST was measured at 50 mph at the Oklahoma Mesonet site, with a peak gust during this time of 63 mph.

Hail, Harmon

When: May 7, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Harmon County, 2 mi W of Mc Knight
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 34.770, -99.950

Hail, Kay

When: May 7, 9:40 PM CST
Where: Kay County, 3 mi SW of Ponca City
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 36.670, -97.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: May 7, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Custer County, Clinton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $80,000
Coordinates: 35.520, -98.970

Severe thunderstorm winds caused widespread damage in and around Clinton. At the Clinton Airport an airplane was tossed 200 feet, one hangar was destroyed, and eight other hangars sustained heavy damage. Power was knocked out across much of the city. South of town two barns were severely damaged and a mobile home was blown over. On I-40 near Clinton six tractor-trailer trucks were blown over by the severe winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: May 7, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Caddo County, Binger
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $60,000
Coordinates: 35.320, -98.330

Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at up to 90 mph caused widespread damage and one injury in Binger. One man was injured when his mobile home was overturned, pinning him between a tree and some of the debris from the home. His family, including a wife and 4 children, was also inside the house but escaped uninjured.Elsewhere in the area a tree was blown over onto a pickup truck and several storefront windows were blown out in town. The roof was blown off of the grandstand at the local fairgrounds and steel posts were pulled from concrete at a ranch. A farm implement business sustained major damage to both its building and to some of the equipment. The roof was completely removed from the building and several combines were blown into eachother. A combine and hopper were blown across a highway, about 40 yards from their original location.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blaine

When: May 7, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Blaine County, 7 mi W of Watonga
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates: 35.850, -98.550

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Thunderstorm Wind, Washita

When: May 7, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Washita County, Cordell
Property damage: $500
Coordinates: 35.300, -98.980

Power lines were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Canadian

When: May 7, 10:12 PM CST
Where: Canadian County, El Reno
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 35.530, -97.970

reported by the Sheriff's Office

Thunderstorm Wind, Oklahoma

When: May 7, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $1,000
Coordinates: 35.480, -97.530

A 500 lb. radiator was blown over at I-240 and Sooner Road by severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph.

Flash Flood, Noble

When: May 7, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Noble County, 9 mi NW of Perry
Coordinates: 36.389, -97.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered US Hwy 64 west of US Hwy 177.

Thunderstorm Wind, Noble

When: May 7, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Noble County, 7 mi SSE of Red Rock
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph)
Coordinates: 36.370, -97.120

measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site

Flash Flood, Noble

When: May 8, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Noble County, Red Rock
Coordinates: 36.389, -97.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered Hwy 15 just west of Red Rock.

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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

Every storm in Oklahoma in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Oklahoma, 1997 Warnings in Oklahoma, May 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: 5614119, 5614120, 5614121, 5614122, 5613823, 5613899, 5614123, 5614124, 5614125, 5614116, 5614117, 5614118, 5614126, 5613572, 5613573, 5613574, 5613575, 5614127, 5613578, 5614128, 5613897, 5614129, 5614130, 5614131, 5614132, 5613576, 5613898, 5613577, 5614133, 5614134, 5614135, 5614136, 5613900, 5614137, 5614138, 5614139, 5613563, 5613564, 5613565, 5613566, and more.