Flash Flooding and Flood in Oklahoma, May 16 to 17, 1999

Name: Flash Flooding and Flood in Oklahoma, May 16 to 17, 1999
Start: 1999-05-16T22:30
End: 1999-05-17T17:00
Location: Oklahoma

May 16 to 17, 1999 · NWS TSA · 49 events in 22 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 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: 3
Property damage: $793,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 49

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 May 16-17 1999:A cluster of thunderstorms formed on the evening of May 16 over western Oklahoma. This cluster of storms started moving quickly east and formed into a large bow echo, a radar signature indicative of damaging winds. Indeed, damaging winds swept across nearly all of eastern Oklahoma late on the evening of May 16 and early on the morning of May 17. The apex of the bow, or the area of strongest winds, moved from near Okemah through Muskogee County and on to Westville. While there were numerous reports of wind damage, Muskogee County saw the most serious damage, including several injuries when winds toppled mobile homes. Marginally severe hail also accompanied this line of storms.After sunrise, another round of more widely scattered thunderstorms moved east out of central Oklahoma and moved across the eastern third of the state. These storms produced more damaging winds and marginally severe hail.During the afternoon, an outflow boundary turned up stationary across southeast Oklahoma and was the focus for more thunderstorm development. The afternoon storms mainly produced marginally severe hail. In addition, the stationary movement of the outflow boundary allowed thunderstorm cells to train behind each other, leading to locally heavy rainfall.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

31 thunderstorm wind, 13 hail, 2 lightning, 2 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: May 16, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 18 mi W of Burbank
Property damage: $100
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.700, -97.050

Tree limbs were blown down near Ponca City in Osage County.

Hail, Creek

When: May 16, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Oilton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.080, -96.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: May 16, 11:19 PM CST
Where: Osage County, Hominy
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.420, -96.400

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: May 16, 11:35 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 9 mi NE of Pawhuska
Property damage: $100
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE
Coordinates: 36.770, -96.220

Tree limbs were blown down in the Osage Hills State Park.

Hail, Pawnee

When: May 16, 11:44 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Cleveland
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 36.320, -96.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: May 16, 11:50 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Sperry
Property damage: $100
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 36.300, -96.000

Tree branches were blown down in Sperry.

Hail, Tulsa

When: May 16, 11:55 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 3 mi N of Skiatook
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.420, -96.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Okfuskee

When: May 16, 11:58 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Paden
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.500, -96.570

Winds caused damage to a roof in Paden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 17, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Copan
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $200
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 36.900, -95.930

Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Copan by winds estimated at 60 to 70 miles an hour.

Thunderstorm Wind, Okfuskee

When: May 17, 12:08 AM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Castle
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.470, -96.380

Thunderstorm Wind, Okfuskee

When: May 17, 12:10 AM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Okemah
Property damage: $200
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.430, -96.300

A tree and several tree branches were blown down in Okemah.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsburg

When: May 17, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, Ashland
Property damage: $100
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 34.770, -96.070

Several large tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Okmulgee

When: May 17, 12:37 AM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, Henryetta
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $45,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.450, -95.980

Strong winds blew a roof completely off of a muffler shop in the 900 block of North Frisco. The roof hit a power feeder and knocked off power to a large part of the city. One of the businesses's doors was blown off as well. Several businesses reported windows blown out by the storm, and numerous trees and tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Craig

When: May 17, 12:55 AM CST
Where: Craig County, 6 mi E of Centralia
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 36.800, -95.230

Location: Oklahoma mesonet site

Thunderstorm Wind, McIntosh

When: May 17, 1:05 AM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 3 mi W of Checotah
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.430, -95.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 17, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Wainwright
Property damage: $95,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.620, -95.570

A single family dwelling was destroyed, and two mobile homes were damaged. The roof of the local school was lifted up and thrown into a school bus.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 17, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Oktaha
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $165,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.580, -95.480

Strong winds, likely in excess of 75 miles an hour, destroyed five mobile homes and damaged another six mobile homes in the Oktaha Mobile Home Park. There were three injuries serious enough to warrant hospitalization. At least three vehicles were crushed by homes knocked off their foundations. Numerous trees were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 17, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Muskogee
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.750, -95.370

Two businesses had their roofs blown off. Other buildings had shingles blown off their roofs, while there were numerous trees and tree limbs blown down. The majority of damaged homes were in the east side of town, though the west side had its share of tree damage.

Hail, McIntosh

When: May 17, 1:20 AM CST
Where: McIntosh County, Texanna
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.350, -95.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Haskell

When: May 17, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Haskell County, Whitefield
Property damage: $100
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 35.250, -95.230

Several large tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Latimer

When: May 17, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Latimer County, 7 mi NNW of Wilburton
Property damage: $200
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE
Coordinates: 35.020, -95.370

Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Robbers Cave State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wagoner

When: May 17, 1:35 AM CST
Where: Wagoner County, 7 mi ENE of Wagoner
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.880, -95.270

In the Grand View Addition along White Horn Cove Road, northeast of Wagoner, twelve permanent homes received minor damage. Most residences were damaged when trees were blown onto the homes. However, the winds were also directly responsible for minor roof damage and for blowing several awnings away. One home had a power line resting against it. Other areas in the northeastern portion of Wagoner County had downed tree limbs, including the city of Wagoner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: May 17, 1:42 AM CST
Where: Mayes County, 4 mi N of Locust Grove
Property damage: $100
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 36.250, -95.170

A large tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: May 17, 1:45 AM CST to 1:50 AM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Hulbert to 5 mi of Hulbert
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.930, -95.230

At 245 AM CDT, there was a public report of 60 mph winds 5 miles west of Hulburt. Near Hulburt, a mobile home was knocked off of its foundation.In Sequoyah State Park, winds demolished an old water tower, though park officials had been planning to demolish it anyway. The winds also blew over 30 to 40 famed pine trees lining the entrance to Western Hills Lodge at the park. An uprooted tree damaged thousands of dollars in damage to the state park's new office and visitor's center, which were still under construction.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: May 17, 1:45 AM CST
Where: Mayes County, Pryor
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.300, -95.320

Two pickup trucks and a car were totaled when winds blew trees over onto them.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sequoyah

When: May 17, 1:50 AM CST
Where: Sequoyah County, Sallisaw to 3 mi of Sallisaw
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.420, -94.800

South of Sallisaw, a trailer was blown 15 feet into an electric pole. A nearby chicken house suffered serious damage, with 50-60 chickens perishing. Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Sallisaw.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: May 17, 1:55 AM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Tahlequah
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.920, -94.970

Numerous trees and tree limbs were blown over throughout Cherokee County, including Tahlequah. Many trees were blown into electrical lines. Strong winds also caused heavy damage to the county's north solid waste transfer station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: May 17, 2:05 AM CST to 2:10 AM CST
Where: Adair County, Westville to 5 mi of Westville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 36.020, -94.650

At 305 AM CDT, the Oklahoma mesonet site west of Westville measured a wind gust to 70 miles an hour. These winds then moved east to Westville, blowing down numerous trees and limbs in Westville. On Buffington Road, several limbs blocked traffic during the morning commute time. Numerous trees blew into power lines. Utility officials reported some of the worst damage in the Bell community, where whole oak trees were uprooted and roofs were lost froma number of barns.

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Flore

When: May 17, 2:05 AM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Panama
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.170, -94.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 17, 2:08 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, 5 mi N of Leach
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.270, -94.920

Winds estimated at 60 miles an hour damaged several structures.

Thunderstorm Wind, Craig

When: May 17, 2:30 AM CST
Where: Craig County, 5 mi W of Vinita
Property damage: $100
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 36.650, -95.230

Tree limbs were blown down west of Vinita.

Hail, Ottawa

When: May 17, 2:45 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County, Miami
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 36.880, -94.880

Lightning, Tulsa

When: May 17, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1 mi SE of Broken Arrow
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.121, -95.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning struck a two-story house in the 800 block of East Mason Drive in Broken Arrow, sparking a fire that destroyed the entire second floor of the home.

Hail, Creek

When: May 17, 7:21 AM CST
Where: Creek County, Kellyville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 35.950, -96.220

Flood, Tulsa

When: May 17, 7:30 AM CST to 8:30 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Tulsa
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.121, -95.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several streets in Tulsa were covered with water.

Hail, Tulsa

When: May 17, 7:45 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 7 mi SSE of Tulsa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.050, -95.900

Lightning, Tulsa

When: May 17, 8:05 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 11 mi SSE of Tulsa
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.121, -95.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning struck the roof of a south Tulsa house, sparking a fire that burned the whole roof off. The house was located near 111th Street South between Yale and Sheridan.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 17, 8:20 AM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Braggs
Property damage: $500
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.670, -95.200

Trees were blown down in Braggs.

Hail, Wagoner

When: May 17, 8:32 AM CST
Where: Wagoner County, Okay
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.870, -95.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Haskell

When: May 17, 9:07 AM CST
Where: Haskell County, 2 mi N of Whitefield
Property damage: $100
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 35.280, -95.230

A large tree was blown down north of Whitefield on the Haskell/Muskogee county line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: May 17, 9:35 AM CST
Where: Adair County, 5 mi SE of Stilwell
Property damage: $700
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.770, -94.570

Several trees were snapped in half, and numerous tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sequoyah

When: May 17, 9:45 AM CST
Where: Sequoyah County, Sallisaw
Property damage: $500
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.470, -94.800

Several 20-foot tall trees were blown over in Sallisaw.

Hail, Haskell

When: May 17, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Haskell County, Kinta
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.120, -95.230

Hail, Ottawa

When: May 17, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Ottawa County, Fairland
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.750, -94.850

Hail, Pushmataha

When: May 17, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, 6 mi NW of Antlers
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 34.300, -95.680

Hail, Latimer

When: May 17, 2:06 PM CST
Where: Latimer County, 2 mi W of Red Oak
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 34.950, -95.120

Hail, Le Flore

When: May 17, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Talihina
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 34.750, -95.050

Flash Flood, Latimer

When: May 17, 3:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Latimer County, Wilburton
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 34.876, -95.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several streets in Wilburton were closed by high water.

Flash Flood, Le Flore

When: May 17, 4:00 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Poteau
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 34.900, -94.703 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A street in Poteau was closed by high 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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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 1999 Every state in 1999 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, May 1999

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: 5701173, 5701240, 5700122, 5701174, 5701241, 5701244, 5701243, 5701245, 5701242, 5701246, 5701247, 5701248, 5701249, 5701252, 5701250, 5700117, 5701255, 5700118, 5701251, 5701253, 5701254, 5700115, 5700050, 5700049, 5700114, 5701256, 5700116, 5700052, 5700053, 5700051, 5700054, 5700055, 5700120, 5700056, 5700123, 5700057, 5700119, 5700058, 5700059, 5700060, and more.