Flooding and Hail in Oklahoma, May 22, 1999

Name: Flooding and Hail in Oklahoma, May 22, 1999
Start: 1999-05-22T13:15
End: 1999-05-22T20:30
Location: Oklahoma

May 22, 1999 · NWS TSA · 49 events in 14 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: 0
Property damage: $168,000
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 22 1999:A slow-moving cold front kicked off clusters of severe thunderstorms on the afternoon and evening of May 22. Most of the thunderstorms that formed moved very slowly at first, causing severe weather to last a bit longer at a given location than usual. The first thunderstorms of the day formed over northeast Oklahoma, producing hail as large as golfballs. The severe weather emphasis gradually shifted south, and the numbero of wind reports increased during the evening as earlier storms in the Tulsa area gusted out and produced outflow boundaries that spread south.

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

30 hail, 15 thunderstorm wind, 3 flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Osage

When: May 22, 1:15 PM CST to 1:25 PM CST
Where: Osage County, Shidler to 1 mi of Shidler
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.780, -96.670

There was a report of quarter-sized hail one mile west of Shidler at 215 PM CDT, then there was a report of tennis ball-sized hail in Shidler at 225 PM CDT.

Hail, Washington

When: May 22, 1:21 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Dewey
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 36.800, -95.930

Hail, Osage

When: May 22, 2:23 PM CST to 2:30 PM CST
Where: Osage County, Wynona
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.550, -96.330

There were reports of golfball-sized hail in Wynona at 323 and 328 PM CDT. There was another report of nickel-sized hail 2 miles southeast of Wynona at 330 PM CDT.

Hail, Delaware

When: May 22, 2:51 PM CST to 3:03 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Kansas
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.200, -94.800

There was a report of golfball-sized hail in Kansas at 351 PM CDT. There was another report of dime-sized hail 1 mile south of Kansas at 403 PM CDT.

Hail, Pawnee

When: May 22, 2:51 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Terlton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 36.180, -96.480

Hail, Creek

When: May 22, 3:00 PM CST to 3:05 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Sapulpa
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.000, -96.100

There was a report of dime-sized hail in Sapulpa at 400 PM CDT. There was another report of nickel-sized hail at 81st and New Sapulpa Road at 405 PM CDT.

Hail, Delaware

When: May 22, 3:03 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 3 mi NW of Grove
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.620, -94.800

Hail, Tulsa

When: May 22, 3:15 PM CST to 3:32 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Tulsa to 6 mi S of Tulsa
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 36.070, -95.980

There were numerous reports of dime to quarter-sized hail, and one report of tennis ball-sized hail, in southwest Tulsa and north Jenks from 415 to 432 PM CDT. Most of the hail was confined to the north by 45th Street South, to the south by 81st Street South, to the east by Lewis Avenue, and to the west by the Creek County line. The following is a list of individual hail reports:Time (CDT) Location Hail Size (Diameter)415 PM 61st and 33rd W. Ave. 0.88"417 PM 71st and US Hwy 75 0.88"418 PM 61st and 33rd W. Ave. 0.88"420 PM 63rd and Peoria 1.75"422 PM 61st and 49th W. Ave. 1.00"423 PM I-44 and US Hwy 75 1.00"424 PM 71st and Lewis 1.00"429 PM 49th btwn Havard/Lewis 0.75"430 PM 57th and Riverside 1.00"432 PM 71st and Riverside 2.50"

Hail, Adair

When: May 22, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Adair County, Westville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 35.980, -94.570

Hail, Osage

When: May 22, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Osage County, Barnsdall
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.570, -96.170

Hail, Pawnee

When: May 22, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Maramec
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 36.250, -96.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Pawnee

When: May 22, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Maramec
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 36.250, -96.670

Hail, Tulsa

When: May 22, 4:30 PM CST to 4:50 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Tulsa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 36.150, -95.950

There were several reports of dime to quarter-sized hail stretching from downtown Tulsa to near I-244 and Utica in Tulsa. The following are a collection of individual reports received by the NWS:Time (CDT) Location Hail Size (Diameter)530 PM Downtown (Ch. 6 studio) 0.75"535 PM 41st and Peoria 0.75"540 PM Downtown 1.00"543 PM I-244 and Utica 0.75"

Hail, Washington

When: May 22, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Washington County, Vera
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.450, -95.880

Hail, Pawnee

When: May 22, 4:37 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Hallett
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.230, -96.570

Hail, Tulsa

When: May 22, 4:41 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Jenks to Tulsa
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.020, -95.970

There were numerous reports of dime to quarter-sized hail and a report of 2-inch diameter hail covering the ground in an area stretching from Jenks through south Tulsa as far east as US Hwy 169 between 61st and 101st Street South. Here is a summary of reports:Time (CDT) Location Diameter541 PM 91st and Elm (Jenks) 1"544 PM 91st and Delaware (S. Tulsa) 1"548 PM 91st and Yale 1"552 PM 68th and Lewis 1"555 PM 91st and Memorial 0.88"557 PM 61st and US Hwy 169 1"602 PM 81st and Memorial 1.25"602 PM 61st and Memorial 1.25"607 PM 101st and Sheridan 0.75"616 PM 81st and Yale 2" (on the ground)

Hail, Osage

When: May 22, 4:58 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 1 mi NW of Tulsa
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 36.170, -95.970

Location: Tulsa Country Club

Flood, Osage

When: May 22, 5:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 3 mi W of Tulsa
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.629, -96.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rains caused flooding that temporarily closed West Edison Street, which runs along the Osage/Tulsa County line, west of downtown Tulsa. Several vehicles stalled out in the high water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: May 22, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 6 mi SE of Tulsa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.080, -95.870

Location: 51st Street South and Memorial

Hail, Creek

When: May 22, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Sapulpa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.000, -96.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: May 22, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Sapulpa
Property damage: $100
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.000, -96.100

Several 6-inch diameter tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: May 22, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 4 mi S of Tulsa
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.100, -95.950

Location: I-44 at the Arkansas River

Hail, Creek

When: May 22, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Kellyville
Measured: 4 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.950, -96.220

Four-inch diameter hail dented several cars and caused roof damage in Kellyville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: May 22, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Kellyville
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.950, -96.220

Several large trees were blown down in Kellyville, blocking several streets. A shop roof was also blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 22, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Colcord
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.270, -94.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: May 22, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Kiefer
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.950, -96.070

Winds estimated at 65 miles an hour blew down trees and power lines in Kiefer.

Hail, Creek

When: May 22, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Kiefer
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.950, -96.070

Hail, Okmulgee

When: May 22, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, 2 mi N of Beggs
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.770, -96.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: May 22, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Creek County, Bristow
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.830, -96.380

Flood, Tulsa

When: May 22, 6:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 7 mi S of Tulsa
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 36.121, -95.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

There was street flooding in south Tulsa, and water covered Sheridan Road at 96th Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: May 22, 6:05 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 1 mi N of Pryor
Property damage: $500
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.320, -95.320

Trees were blown down in north Pryor.

Hail, Cherokee

When: May 22, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 3 mi N of Moodys
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 36.080, -94.950

Hail, Okmulgee

When: May 22, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, Beggs
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.730, -96.070

Hail, Delaware

When: May 22, 6:15 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, West Siloam Spgs
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 36.170, -94.600

Hail, Okfuskee

When: May 22, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Boley
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.500, -96.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 22, 6:38 PM CST
Where: Muskogee County, 3 mi SE of Jamesville
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 35.720, -95.620

Part of the roof of a barn was blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: May 22, 6:52 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Haskell
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Property damage: $100
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 35.820, -95.670

At 752 PM CDT, several 6-inch diameter tree limbs were blown down. At 755 PM CDT, the Oklahoma mesonet site south-southeast of Haskell measured a 65 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sequoyah

When: May 22, 6:53 PM CST
Where: Sequoyah County, Sallisaw
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.470, -94.800

Hail, Okfuskee

When: May 22, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Okemah
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.430, -96.300

Hail, Okfuskee

When: May 22, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Castle
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 35.470, -96.380

Flood, Muskogee

When: May 22, 7:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Muskogee County, Muskogee
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 35.616, -95.379 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

There was street flooding, mainly on the west side of Muskogee. The water level creeped toward the doorsteps of some homes near Williams and 30th Streets, but the water receded just in time. A car became stranded in high water in the same vicinity.

Thunderstorm Wind, Okmulgee

When: May 22, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, 6 mi S of Okmulgee
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 35.550, -95.970

A wind gust estimated at 70 miles an hour damaged a race car south of Okmulgee.

Hail, Le Flore

When: May 22, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 1 mi S of Spiro
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.220, -94.630

Lightning, Mayes

When: May 22, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, Locust Grove
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 36.302, -95.231 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A lightning strike started a fire that completely gutted a small church on OK Hwy 82.

Hail, Le Flore

When: May 22, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 1 mi W of Spiro
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.230, -94.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Flore

When: May 22, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 1 mi W of Spiro
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 35.230, -94.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Flore

When: May 22, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Heavener
Property damage: $11,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 34.880, -94.600

A building next door to the Heavener Police Department lost its roof. The roof fell onto two patrol cars, causing minor damage to the vehicles. Elsewhere in Heavener, large tree limbs were blown down.

Hail, Le Flore

When: May 22, 8:04 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 1 mi S of Heavener
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 34.870, -94.600

Hail, Le Flore

When: May 22, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Hodgen
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE
Coordinates: 34.830, -94.620

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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

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: 5700325, 5700326, 5700327, 5700328, 5700846, 5700332, 5700329, 5700331, 5700330, 5700333, 5700334, 5700335, 5700336, 5700337, 5700338, 5700393, 5700339, 5700457, 5700394, 5700375, 5700455, 5700395, 5700456, 5700849, 5700376, 5700844, 5700845, 5700377, 5700380, 5700374, 5700378, 5700379, 5700381, 5700841, 5700382, 5700383, 5700384, 5700385, 5700388, 5700389, and more.