Oklahoma, 1998

Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Oklahoma, August 9, 1998

August 9, 1998 · NWS TSA · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

Summary of events for August 9 1998:Numerous thunderstorms developed over eastern Oklahoma on Sunday morning, August 9, in response to the lift provided by a north-south warm front and an upper level low over southeast Missouri. Out of the numerous thunderstorms, there were widely scattered severe thunderstorms.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 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
1
Injuries
0
Property damage
$200
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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 TSA wrote it up.

Summary of events for August 9 1998:Numerous thunderstorms developed over eastern Oklahoma on Sunday morning, August 9, in response to the lift provided by a north-south warm front and an upper level low over southeast Missouri. Out of the numerous thunderstorms, there were widely scattered severe thunderstorms. One severe thunderstorm moved east through southern Wagoner and northern Muskogee County between 700 and 800 AM. This storm also produced a lightning death at Sequoyah Bay State Park after 800 AM. Further north, a train of strong to severe thunderstorms moved south out of Kansas and across Craig County, producing a report of severe winds in northwestern Craig County.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wagoner

When
August 9, 6:15 AM CST
Where
Wagoner County, 4 mi SW of Coweta
Property damage
$100
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
35.920, -95.700

Several large tree limbs blown down

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When
August 9, 6:30 AM CST
Where
Muskogee County, 2 mi NW of Haskell
Property damage
$100
Reported by
NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates
35.830, -95.700

Several large tree limbs blown down

Lightning, Wagoner

When
August 9, 7:05 AM CST
Where
Wagoner County, 7 mi SE of Wagoner
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
35.961, -95.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 58-year old woman was killed by lightning at Sequoyah Bay State Park while fishing.

Thunderstorm Wind, Craig

When
August 9, 8:10 AM CST
Where
Craig County, 15 mi W of Welch
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by
OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates
36.870, -95.370

60 mph gust reported by NWS Cooperative Observer in the community of Hollow

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Lightning, Wagoner1998-08-0958FemaleBoatDirect

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.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Oklahoma in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, August 1998

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: 5665459, 5665460, 5665461, 5665458.