Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, March 31, 2008

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, March 31, 2008
Start: 2008-03-31T02:56
End: 2008-03-31T22:00
Location: Oklahoma

March 31, 2008 · NWS TSA · 107 events in 25 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms occurred across eastern Oklahoma on the 31st.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $447,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 107

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.

Severe thunderstorms occurred across eastern Oklahoma on the 31st.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 31, 2:39 AM CST, 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 2:39 AM CST, 17 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
339 AM CDT MON MAR 31 2008

.DISCUSSION...
A WELL ADVERTISED VERY ACTIVE WEATHER DAY IS ON TAP FOR THE FORECAST
AREA TODAY. CURRENTLY... LONG-LIVED SEVERE SUPERCELLS HAVE
TRAVELED ACROSS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND ARE ENTERING OSAGE...
PAWNEE... AND CREEK COUNTIES. THIS ACTIVITY WILL CLEAR THE AREA IN
THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. ALL ATTENTION THEN TURNS TO THIS
AFTERNOON.

A POTENT UPPER TROUGH WILL TRAVERSE THE PLAINS TODAY... WITH ASSOCIATED
SURFACE FEATURES FOCUSING MUCH OF THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT SQUARELY
ON THE TSA FORECAST AREA.

A VERY MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIRMASS WILL RESIDE ACROSS THE REGION
SOUTH OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT AND EAST OF A DRYLINE. FAIRLY STRONG
AFTERNOON SURFACE HEATING... A MIDLEVEL JET STREAK TRAVERSING THE
REGION... COMBINED WITH A SURFACE LOW TRACKING FROM SOUTHERN KANSAS
NORTH-EASTWARD WILL SET THE STAGE FOR SEVERE STORMS TO DEVELOP
ACROSS OUR AREA. THIS WILL LIKELY BE IN THE FORM OF DISCREET
SUPERCELLS. IN ADDITION... A SECONDARY SURFACE LOW DEVELOPING TO OUR
SOUTHWEST WILL CAUSE LOW LEVEL WINDS TO BACK... ELEVATING THE THREAT
FOR TORNADOES.

IN ADDITION... THERE WILL LIKELY BE WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAINFALL WITH
THE THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING... ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHEAST
OKLAHOMA AND WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS... WHERE 2 TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN
FELL YESTERDAY. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL BE FORTHCOMING FOR THAT
AREA.

THE FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION THIS EVENING... LIKELY PROVIDING
THE FOCUS FOR A SEVERE SQUALL LINE AS IT PASSES. PLEASE REFER TO OUR
LATEST HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK AND SHORT TERM FORECAST PRODUCTS FOR THE
LATEST INFORMATION AS THIS WEATHER EVENT DEVELOPS TODAY.

IN THE WAKE OF THIS SYSTEM... CALM WEATHER WILL PREVAIL FOR A COUPLE
OF DAYS. BY LATE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY... ANOTHER POTENT UPPER
TROUGH WILL TRAVERSE THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. AT THE MOMENT... THIS
SYSTEM IS PROGGED TO HAVE ITS SIGHTS SET ON OUR AREA AND COULD VERY
WELL PROVIDE ANOTHER ROUND OF SEVERE WEATHER FOR THE REGION. STAY
TUNED... MID-WEEK FORECASTS WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION
BECOMES AVAILABLE.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL   74  43  58  40 /  80  40   0  10
FSM   72  51  62  42 /  90  70  10  10
MLC   74  49  62  45 /  90  50   0  10
BVO   74  40  62  39 /  80  30   0  10
FYV   69  45  57  39 /  90  70   0  10
BYV   68  43  57  36 /  90  70   0  10
MKO   72  46  58  42 /  90  50   0  10
MIO   69  40  57  38 /  90  40   0  10
F10   73  47  59  43 /  80  40   0  10
HHW   75  62  66  50 /  70  50  10  10

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...NONE.
AR...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...07
LONG TERM....06

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 1:28 AM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
228 AM CDT MON MAR 31 2008

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-311000-
ADAIR OK-BENTON AR-CARROLL AR-CHEROKEE OK-CHOCTAW OK-CRAIG OK-
CRAWFORD AR-CREEK OK-DELAWARE OK-FRANKLIN AR-HASKELL OK-LATIMER OK-
LE FLORE OK-MADISON AR-MAYES OK-MCINTOSH OK-MUSKOGEE OK-NOWATA OK-
OKFUSKEE OK-OKMULGEE OK-OSAGE OK-OTTAWA OK-PAWNEE OK-PITTSBURG OK-
PUSHMATAHA OK-ROGERS OK-SEBASTIAN AR-SEQUOYAH OK-TULSA OK-WAGONER OK-
WASHINGTON OK-WASHINGTON AR-
228 AM CDT MON MAR 31 2008

...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT POSSIBLE ON MONDAY...

THIS OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS AS WELL AS
MUCH OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.
TORNADO.
	RISK...LIMITED.
	AREA...OSAGE...PAWNEE...CREEK AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.
        ONSET...AFTER 3 AM.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 44 CORRIDOR.
	ONSET...AFTER 3 AM.

DISCUSSION...
SCATTERED SUPERCELLS CONTINUE TO SLOW TRACK NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...AND WILL LIKELY IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
OKLAHOMA AFTER 3 AM.  THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER RISK ARE CURRENTLY
FORECAST TO BE LARGE HAIL...WITH A LIMITED RISK OF TORNADOES AND
SEVERE WINDS.

OTHER SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP ACROSS PORTIONS OF
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS LATER TONIGHT...AS THE
LOW-LEVEL JET TRANSLATES EASTWARD ACROSS THE REGION. THESE STORMS
COULD PRODUCE MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL.

SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT ACROSS
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA NORTH AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 44.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
MONDAY...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL...
        HIGH WIND POTENTIAL...HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL.
TUESDAY...HIGH WIND POTENTIAL.
WEDNESDAY...THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL...HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL.
THURSDAY...THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL...HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL.
FRIDAY...THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL.
SATURDAY...NO HAZARDS.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS EASTERN
OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS DURING THE MORNING AND EARLY
AFTERNOON HOURS...WITH MORE WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED
DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. BY MONDAY AFTERNOON...
A COLD FRONT WILL STRETCH FROM NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA INTO WEST
CENTRAL MISSOURI AND A DRY LINE WILL MOVE INTO CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.
CAPE VALUES OVER 1500 WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE WARM SECTOR AHEAD
OF THESE FEATURES.  CONVECTION EARLIER IN THE DAY WILL HAVE AN
EFFECT ON THE AMOUNT OF SURFACE BASED INSTABILITY AVAILABLE.
STRONG WIND SHEAR WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF SUPERCELLS CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING TORNADOES IN ADDITION TO DAMAGING HAIL AND STRAIGHT
LINE WINDS. SUPERCELLS MAY DEVELOP EARLY IN THE EVENT NEAR AN
850 MB BOUNDARY...WITH ADDITIONAL SUPERCELLS DEVELOPING ALONG
THE DRYLINE AND COLD FRONT.  AS THE COLD FRONT MIGRATES SOUTH
...CONVECTION WILL BECOME MORE LINEAR...INCREASING THE THREAT
FOR DAMAGING WINDS.

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO REVIEW THEIR SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY PLAN
AND REMAIN AWARE OF ANY WATCHES OR WARNINGS ISSUED FOR THE AREA.

AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF TRANQUIL WEATHER...ANOTHER UPPER SYSTEM
WILL PRODUCE A GOOD CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AND
THURSDAY. CONDITIONS LOOK FAVORABLE FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS ON THURSDAY.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING STATEMENT...
EMERGENCY MANAGERS SHOULD PREPARE STAFF AND SPOTTERS FOR DAMAGING
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES ON MONDAY...AND
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND INFORMATION
CONCERNING THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER EVENT.

WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/TULSA CONTAINS ADDITIONAL TABULAR AND GRAPHICAL
INFORMATION.

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:56 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

67 hail, 22 flash flood, 14 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 2:56 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 6 mi W of Maramec
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.250, -96.778

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 2 mi S of Pawnee
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.301, -96.800

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 3:50 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 2 mi SSW of Skedee
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.353, -96.714

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 3:55 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 1 mi N of Skedee
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.395, -96.700

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 3:55 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Burbank
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.700, -96.720

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 3:58 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 13 mi WNW of Pawnee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.402, -97.016

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 1 mi E of Pawnee
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.330, -96.782

Flash Flood, Pawnee

When: March 31, 4:30 AM CST to 7:30 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 3 mi N of Pawnee to 3 mi W of Pawnee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.373, -96.800

Heavy rain caused Black Bear Creek to flow over Highway 64.

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 4:33 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Blackburn
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.370, -96.600

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 4:35 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 11 mi W of Hominy
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.420, -96.598

Nickel size hail fell 3 miles north of Blackburn.

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 4:38 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 4 mi N of Hominy
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.478, -96.400

Tornado, Osage

When: March 31, 4:46 AM CST to 4:54 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 2 mi NNW of Hominy to 6 mi ENE of Hominy
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.5 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.447, -96.414

A tornado severely damaged the roof of a home west of the Hominy Airport and produced minor damage to the roofs of several other homes. Trees were snapped and barns were damaged or destroyed in the path of the tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: March 31, 4:50 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 5 mi N of Hominy
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.492, -96.400

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour snapped off three power poles.

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 4:59 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Wynona
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.550, -96.330

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 5:04 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 1 mi N of Skedee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.395, -96.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: March 31, 5:07 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 5 mi N of Hominy Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.502, -96.380

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew the roof off an outbuilding.

Flash Flood, Osage

When: March 31, 5:07 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 1 mi N of Hominy to 1 mi W of Hominy
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.434, -96.400

Heavy rain caused major street flooding in Hominy.

Thunderstorm Wind, Osage

When: March 31, 5:12 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Avant
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.480, -96.070

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew a tin roof off a garage and damaged a barn roof.

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 5:12 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Avant
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.480, -96.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 31, 5:30 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Collinsville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.370, -95.830

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 5:37 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Wynona
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.550, -96.330

Flash Flood, Osage

When: March 31, 5:50 AM CST to 7:50 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 3.45 mi S of Wynona to 2 mi SSE of Wynona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.500, -96.330

Heavy rain caused water to flow over a road 3 miles south of Wynona.

Hail, Rogers

When: March 31, 5:54 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 1 mi NW of Talala
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.540, -95.693

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 5:58 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Barnsdall
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.570, -96.170

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Ochelata
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.600, -95.980

Hail, Nowata

When: March 31, 6:20 AM CST
Where: Nowata County, 3 mi N of Alluwe
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.663, -95.530

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 6:21 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 2 mi WSW of Ramona
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.519, -95.953

Tornado, Washington

When: March 31, 6:25 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 1 mi WSW of Ramona
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 36.525, -95.937

A storm chaser for KOTV in Tulsa reported a tornado over open country. An NWS storm survey found no damage from the tornado.

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 6:32 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Ramona
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.530, -95.920

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 6:37 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 2 mi NNE of Ramona
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 36.557, -95.906

Flash Flood, Washington

When: March 31, 6:45 AM CST to 8:45 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Ramona to 3 mi SE of Ramona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.530, -95.920

Heavy rain caused secondary roads east of Ramona to be washed out.

Hail, Nowata

When: March 31, 6:55 AM CST
Where: Nowata County, Watova
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.620, -95.650

Hail, Rogers

When: March 31, 7:02 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 4 mi NNE of Talala
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.584, -95.652

Hail, Nowata

When: March 31, 7:19 AM CST
Where: Nowata County, 4 mi N of Alluwe
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.678, -95.530

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 7:36 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Oglesby
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.630, -95.870

Flash Flood, Rogers

When: March 31, 9:00 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, Talala to 4 mi NE of Talala
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.530, -95.680

Heavy rain caused secondary roads north of Talala to be flooded.

Flash Flood, Nowata

When: March 31, 9:05 AM CST to 11:05 AM CST
Where: Nowata County, 1 mi S of Watova to 4 mi E of Watova
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.605, -95.650

Heavy rain caused severe street flooding in Watova and flooding of secondary roads around Watova.

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 9:17 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Fairfax
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.570, -96.700

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 9:17 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Ralston
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 36.500, -96.720

Hail, Creek

When: March 31, 9:19 AM CST
Where: Creek County, Bristow
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.830, -96.380

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 9:20 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Ralston
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.500, -96.720

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 9:51 AM CST
Where: Osage County, Pawhuska
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.670, -96.330

Hail, Creek

When: March 31, 10:05 AM CST
Where: Creek County, Bristow
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.830, -96.380

Hail, Washington

When: March 31, 10:25 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Ramona
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 36.530, -95.920

Hail, Creek

When: March 31, 10:37 AM CST
Where: Creek County, 7 mi S of Bristow
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.729, -96.380

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 31, 10:55 AM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 8 mi NE of Terlton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 36.262, -96.379

Nickel hail fell at Westport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: March 31, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Creek County, Slick
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.780, -96.270

Thunderstorm wind estimated at 70 miles an hour destroyed a barn near Slick.

Hail, Okmulgee

When: March 31, 11:03 AM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, Hector
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.830, -95.920

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 31, 11:07 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 5 mi S of Bixby
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.878, -95.880

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 31, 11:27 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Broken Arrow
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.050, -95.780

Hail, Rogers

When: March 31, 11:36 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, Talala
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.530, -95.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: March 31, 11:42 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County, Miami
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.880, -94.880

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour lifted the roof off a bus barn. The roof landed on a home.

Hail, Okmulgee

When: March 31, 11:47 AM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, Hector
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.830, -95.920

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 31, 11:54 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 6 mi S of Tulsa
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.063, -95.950

Penny size hail was reported at 61st Street South and Riverside Drive.

Hail, Craig

When: March 31, 11:56 AM CST
Where: Craig County, 4 mi SE of White Oak
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.579, -95.219

Hail, Wagoner

When: March 31, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, 5 mi N of Wagoner
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.922, -95.380

Hail, Wagoner

When: March 31, 12:19 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, Stonebluff
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.880, -95.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Wagoner

When: March 31, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, Coweta
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.950, -95.650

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles damaged roofs of homes and blew down trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: March 31, 12:40 PM CST
Where: Ottawa County, Wyandotte
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.800, -94.730

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour damaged buildings and blew down trees.

Tornado, Ottawa

When: March 31, 12:44 PM CST to 12:48 PM CST
Where: Ottawa County, 3.4 mi E of Wyandotte to 6.3 mi ENE of Wyandotte
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Newton, Mo (SGF)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.800, -94.669

A tornado severely damaged the roofs of several homes, broke glass windows out of several homes, damaged or destroyed several barns, snapped and uprooted a number of trees, and damaged power poles. This tornado moved into Newton County, Missouri south of Seneca.

Flash Flood, Wagoner

When: March 31, 12:58 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, 5 mi NE of Coweta to 5 mi NW of Coweta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.001, -95.587

Heavy rain caused flooding of city streets and secondary roads around Coweta. Highway 64 was also flooded at Stonebluff.

Flash Flood, Rogers

When: March 31, 1:00 PM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 2 mi N of Inola to 2 mi W of Inola
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.179, -95.500

Heavy rain caused several city streets to be flooded.

Flash Flood, Tulsa

When: March 31, 1:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1 mi N of Leonard to 1 mi W of Leonard
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.934, -95.800

Heavy rain caused water to flow over Highway 64 in Leonard.

Flash Flood, Mayes

When: March 31, 1:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 3 mi SW of Mazie to 3 mi S of Murphy
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.069, -95.408

Heavy rain caused numerous county roads to be flooded across the southern part of Mayes County.

Hail, Okfuskee

When: March 31, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, 7 mi N of Pharoah
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.521, -96.120

Flash Flood, Delaware

When: March 31, 1:15 PM CST to 4:15 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2 mi S of Leach to 3 mi E of Leach
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.171, -94.920

Heavy rain caused numerous rural roads to be flooded across the southern part of Delaware County.

Hail, Wagoner

When: March 31, 1:20 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, Coweta
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.950, -95.650

Flash Flood, Cherokee

When: March 31, 1:20 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 5 mi NE of Peggs to 9 mi W of Peggs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.131, -95.037

Heavy rain caused Highway 82 to be flooded at Peggs and several rural roads to be flooded across the northern part of Cherokee County. A woman drove a vehicle into a flooded low water crossing and the vehicle became stranded. A two year old girl was washed downstream and drowned as the mother tried to get her out of the vehicle.

Flash Flood, Okmulgee

When: March 31, 1:20 PM CST to 4:20 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, 5 mi S of Okmulgee to 7 mi NW of Okmulgee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.558, -95.970

Heavy rain caused several rural roads in the southwest part of Okmulgee County to be flooded.

Hail, Cherokee

When: March 31, 1:28 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Peggs
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.080, -95.100

Hail, Okmulgee

When: March 31, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, Okmulgee
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.630, -95.970

Hail, Wagoner

When: March 31, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, 5 mi N of Wagoner
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.922, -95.380

Flash Flood, Wagoner

When: March 31, 1:45 PM CST to 3:45 PM CST
Where: Wagoner County, Wagoner to 5 mi NE of Wagoner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.850, -95.380

Heavy rain caused 2 to 3 feet of water to flow over a road 5 miles north of Wagoner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muskogee

When: March 31, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Muskogee County, 1 mi N of Council Hill
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.565, -95.650

Flash Flood, Okfuskee

When: March 31, 2:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, Okfuskee to 5 mi N of Okemah
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.600, -96.230

Heavy rain caused numerous county roads to be flooded between Okemah and Okfuskee.

Flash Flood, Adair

When: March 31, 2:00 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 1 mi N of Chewey to 1 mi E of Chewey
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.114, -94.770

Heavy rain caused water to flow over a road near Chewey.

Thunderstorm Wind, Okfuskee

When: March 31, 2:04 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, 1 mi E of Pharoah
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.420, -96.102

Thunderstorm Wind, McIntosh

When: March 31, 2:05 PM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 6 mi NW of Checotah
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.491, -95.595

Thunderstorm Wind, Okmulgee

When: March 31, 2:17 PM CST
Where: Okmulgee County, 2 mi SW of Grayson
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.480, -95.895

Hail, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 2:48 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, 1 mi N of Arpelar
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.944, -95.970

Hail, Cherokee

When: March 31, 2:51 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 5 mi NW of Cookson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.751, -95.033

Flash Flood, McIntosh

When: March 31, 3:10 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 3 mi N of Stidham to 3 mi N of Hanna
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.413, -95.700

Heavy rain caused rural roads to be flooded between Hanna and Stidham.

Hail, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 3:12 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, Mc Alester
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.930, -95.770

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, Kiowa
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.720, -95.900

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour tore part of the roof off a church, blew two mobile homes off their foundations, blew down a power pole and blew down trees.

Hail, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 3:42 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, 4 mi SE of Kiowa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.679, -95.850

Hail, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 3:53 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, Blanco
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.750, -95.770

Hail, Haskell

When: March 31, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Haskell County, Mc Curtain
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.150, -94.970

Hail, Latimer

When: March 31, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Latimer County, Wilburton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.920, -95.320

Hail, Sequoyah

When: March 31, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Sequoyah County, 3 mi S of Gans
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.357, -94.700

Hail, Osage

When: March 31, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 10 mi NW of Hominy
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.522, -96.527

Hail, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 4:28 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, 3 mi NW of Tuskahoma
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.651, -95.307

Hail, Le Flore

When: March 31, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 5 mi N of Panama
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.242, -94.670

Flash Flood, Pittsburg

When: March 31, 5:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, 2 mi N of Weathers to 2 mi W of Weathers
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.679, -95.570

Heavy rain caused water to flow over a small bridge and pasture land to be flooded. Some cattle were stranded.

Hail, Choctaw

When: March 31, 5:06 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 9 mi N of Boswell
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.160, -95.870

Hail, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 5:06 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, Albion
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.670, -95.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Le Flore

When: March 31, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Hodgen
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.830, -94.620

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour damaged a school building.

Hail, Choctaw

When: March 31, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 9 mi NNE of Boswell
Measured: 3 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.150, -95.810

Flash Flood, Latimer

When: March 31, 5:30 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Latimer County, 1 mi S of Yanush to 7 mi E of Yanush
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 34.685, -95.320

Heavy rain caused water to flow over numerous county roads east and west of Yanush.

Flash Flood, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 5:30 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, 3 mi N of Clayton to 3 mi W of Clayton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 34.623, -95.350

Heavy rain caused water to flow over several county roads across the northern part of Pushmataha County.

Hail, Choctaw

When: March 31, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 4 mi W of Speer
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.120, -95.620

Tornado, Choctaw

When: March 31, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 7 mi NW of Sawyer
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.092, -95.457

A tornado was photographed near Hugo Lake. No damage is known to have occurred with this tornado.

Hail, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, Antlers
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.230, -95.620

Flash Flood, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 7:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, 3 mi N of Antlers to 3 mi W of Antlers
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.273, -95.620

Heavy rain caused water to flow over a few county roads in the vicinity of Antlers.

Hail, Choctaw

When: March 31, 7:04 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 5 mi E of Hugo
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.020, -95.433

Hail, Pushmataha

When: March 31, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, Sobol
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.150, -95.220

Hail, Choctaw

When: March 31, 7:43 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 7 mi NE of Fennell
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.142, -95.213

Flash Flood, Le Flore

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, Talihina to 5 mi N of Whitesboro
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.750, -95.050

Heavy rain caused flooding which made numerous rural roads between Talihina and Whitesboro impassable.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Cherokee	2008-03-31	2	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Oklahoma, 2008 Warnings in Oklahoma, March 2008

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: 84450, 84454, 84455, 84456, 84458, 84480, 84483, 87851, 84492, 84490, 84493, 88566, 84494, 84496, 84497, 84502, 87852, 84503, 84504, 84506, 84507, 84523, 84508, 84510, 84513, 84514, 84505, 88567, 84533, 84535, 87853, 84537, 84538, 84543, 84545, 87856, 87857, 84547, 84548, 84551, and more.