Oklahoma, 1998

Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, January 4 to 5, 1998

January 4 to 5, 1998 · NWS TSA · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

A strongly baroclinic, southwest-northeast oriented front pulled up stationary over eastern Oklahoma on Jan. 4.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 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
$61,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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.

A strongly baroclinic, southwest-northeast oriented front pulled up stationary over eastern Oklahoma on Jan. 4. As upper level disturbances moved by in southwest flow aloft, heavy rain developed across parts of eastern Oklahoma. Two-day rainfall totals of two to six inches were common, falling on already-saturated grounds caused by heavy rains during the week before Christmas. Many rivers, particularly in southeast Oklahoma, rose out of their banks.

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 26 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When
January 4, 5:15 AM CST
Where
Mayes County, Pryor
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$700
Coordinates
36.300, -95.320

Two trees blown down. Scattered shingles blown off some roofs. Garden shed blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When
January 4, 6:30 AM CST
Where
Ottawa County, Fairland
Measured
78 kt (90 mph)
Property damage
$60,000
Coordinates
36.750, -94.850

Ten homes/businesses with minor damage. Three businesses with major roof and structural damage. Winds were estimated at 90 to 100 miles an hour.

Flash Flood, Adair

When
January 4, 9:30 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where
Adair County, Countywide
Coordinates
35.884, -94.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread flooding reported near Stilwell with some water reaching homes. Flood waters washed a car off of a small bridge.

Flash Flood, Latimer

When
January 4, 7:30 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Latimer County, East Portion
Coordinates
34.876, -95.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous county roads around Talihina closed.

Flash Flood, Le Flore

When
January 4, 7:30 PM CST to January 5, 4:00 AM CST
Where
Le Flore County, Countywide
Coordinates
34.900, -94.703 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Serious flooding took place near Heavener with travel in area nearly impossible. Oil Branch Creek at Heavener overflowed its banks. Major flooding in Poteau and Talihina with many roads under water.

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.
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 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, January 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: 5631442, 5631441, 5631440, 5631443, 5631444.