Oklahoma, 1999

Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 31, 1999

May 31, 1999 · NWS OUN · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

Thunderstorms formed over parts of north central Oklahoma during the early morning of the 31st, resulting in flooding across portions of Kay and Grant Counties. In Kay County, 3 miles west of Blackwell, portions of State Route 11 were reported to be covered by water, and in Ponca City, several roads were covered by high water.

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.

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  • Wind
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  • Cold
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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

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.

Thunderstorms formed over parts of north central Oklahoma during the early morning of the 31st, resulting in flooding across portions of Kay and Grant Counties. In Kay County, 3 miles west of Blackwell, portions of State Route 11 were reported to be covered by water, and in Ponca City, several roads were covered by high water. In Grant County, State Highway 81 was closed from Renfrow to the Kansas state line due to high water.

The radar

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

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Event by event

3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Kay

When
May 31, 5:55 AM CST
Where
Kay County, Ponca City
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Kay

When
May 31, 5:55 AM CST
Where
Kay County, 3 mi W of Blackwell
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flash Flood, Grant

When
May 31, 7:30 AM CST
Where
Grant County, Renfrow
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
36.796, -97.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

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 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 5704637, 5704638, 5704639.