Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, October 22 to 23, 2000

A vehicle was swept off the road due to fast flowing water.

Highway 58 was closed between Carnegie and Highway 19 due to high water.

This tornado developed east of Binger, about 2 miles south of the Highway 152/Highway 281 intersection and was observed by 4 people. It tracked northward for 4 miles before dissipating, blowing over 2 old, wooden barns, a medium-sized tree, and damaging another medium-sized tree.

This short-lived tornado was observed by an off-duty National Weather Service meteorologist near mile marker 117 on Interstate 40 in Canadian County. A motorhome was blown over, and a highway sign was ripped off its post, consistent with an F0 rating.

This tornado, rated F0, formed about 3 miles northwest of Stonewall near Highway 3. No damage was observed or reported as it moved northward before dissipating. A correction was made to the beginning and ending times of this tornado, from 1726-1732 CST to 1658-1704 CST.

Lightning struck an insulator on West Gore Blvd. and 67th Street causing a power outage to about 1100 homes.

A large tree was downed, and a small barn was blown over, both on County Road 361.

Lightning struck an air conditioning unit causing some curtains to catch fire. Significant fire and smoke damage occurred to the master bedroom.

This small tornado formed about 5 miles southeast of Francis and caused no damage (F0) before dissipating.

Railroad tracks north of Frederick were washed out due to rushing water. Highway 183 was closed between Frederick and Manitou, while State Highway 5c was closed between Manitou and Tipton.

This tornado, rated F1, formed across southern portions of Oklahoma City near the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 240, then moved northward for 1.5 miles before dissipating. Minor structural damage, consisting of 2 broken windows and an air conditioning unit blown off the roof, occurred to the Montgomery Ward Auto Express Store at Crossroads Mall. In addition, roof damage was sustained to several offices and businesses, and numerous homes in the town of Valley Brook.

This tornado formed across southern Oklahoma City near the intersection of Eastern and SE 22nd. Minor damage to buildings, trees, and power lines, consistent with an F0 rating, occurred over a narrow, 3 mile path.

Hail was reported at the interchange of Interstate 40 and Interstate 35.

In the city of Tipton, 6 homes were flooded at 2020 CST, and several streets were covered with a half foot of water. At 2130 CST a couple was rescued from their home 3 miles east of Manitou, while at 2200 CST a family was rescued from their home 1 mile east of Frederick, both due to high water. At 0000 CST a vehicle traveling on Red River Gin Road, 3 miles south of Frederick, was swept off the road and into a creek. Both occupants were rescued by boat and treated for injuries, one for a broken leg and the other for lacerations. Many roads, including large segments of Highway 183, were closed during this time.

Several roads were washed out or damaged due to high water.

Major flash flooding developed across southern Caddo County after many hours of heavy rain and is believed to have first developed in Apache around 2100 CST when Box Elder Creek and Cache Creek, which merge in Apache, overflowed their banks. The worst flooding was observed during the overnight hours with the water then receding gradually over the next few days. Most affected were the housing subdivisions of Woodland Park and Joseyville on the south side of Apache, where approximately 12 families needed to be rescued from trees and roofs, which were surrounded by 7 feet of water in spots. Nearly 200 people were left homeless. Twenty-seven homes were destroyed (19 mobile homes), and 60 homes and 1 business were damaged. At times water flowed very quickly, pushing and dragging large debris including mobile homes, vehicles, and boats considerable distances. Massive damage was also sustained to Apache Elementary and Middle Schools.Much of downtown Anadarko also flooded with a foot or more of water observed in spots. An estimated 20 homes were destroyed by the flooding, while 60 homes sustained major damage, and 12 apartments and 8 businesses sustained minor damage. Approximately 200 people had to be evacuated from the rising water, most which lived in the northwest part of town. Major damage also occurred to the Boone School and numerous roads and bridges in Boone, about 6 miles west of Apache. At 2210 CST a car was swept off the road in Stecker due to fast moving water. It took several days for the water to recede in some areas, and many roads remained closed for this period.

Several roads were closed due to flooding on the east side of Moore, including portions of 34th Street and 12th Avenue.

Highway 130 just west of County Club Road was covered with water.

Major flash flooding developed across a large portion of Grady County after several hours of heavy rain. In Chickasha, streets began closing at 2255 CST on the 22nd due to the rain, however it was not until approximately 0600 CST on the 23rd that the worst flooding developed. That was when Line Creek overflowed its banks allowing water to pour into downtown to a depth of 5 feet in spots. Approximately 30 people were rescued from the roof of cars and homes, and between 200 and 400 people were evacuated from their home. All of Chickasha, except the southwest corner of downtown, was flooded, with the worst flooding concentrated along US Routes 62 and 81 leading into Chickasha. Sixty-three businesses received major damage, while 50 homes and the Vo-tech Center sustained minor to major damage. During the night additional road closings, including US Route 62/277 between Chickasha and Blanchard (McClain County), was closed along with Highway 92 between Chickasha and Tuttle.

Numerous homes and businesses were flooded, and many people had to be evacuated due to high water.

Harrah Road, between Reno and 15th Avenue, was closed due to high water.

Lightning struck a house on Briarcreek Drive causing a fire, which resulted in significant damage to the attic and upstairs.

Flooding was reported at the intersection of 12th and Tecumseh and at the intersection of McGee and Lindsey.

Traffic on Highway 18, near Deep Fork River, was reduced to one lane due to high water.