A prolonged area of southwest flow aloft developed over much of Oklahoma during the period from the 10th through the 12th. Numerous upper level disturbances moving through the flow, as well as a very moist air mass allowed for several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to develop and move northeast, much of the time moving over the same areas.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.
A prolonged area of southwest flow aloft developed over much of Oklahoma during the period from the 10th through the 12th. Numerous upper level disturbances moving through the flow, as well as a very moist air mass allowed for several rounds of showers and thunderstorms to develop and move northeast, much of the time moving over the same areas. Moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Lowell added to the mix, with an added depth of moisture that only made the situation worse. Rainfall rates of one to one-and-a-half inches were common, with some areas receiving near three inch per hour rates. Widespread flooding was reported over a large portion of northern Oklahoma. Numerous homes and business' were flooded. At least a half to two-thirds of the roadways from Woodward to Kay county were closed at some point during the event. Numerous roadways were damaged, with at least 125 miles of roadway damaged in Alfalfa county alone. Half of the roadways in Pond Creek and Lamont were damaged, and 40 percent of the bridges were damaged. Numerous rounds of the precipitation allowed for widespread river flooding as well. The Chikaskia River reached its highest level ever recorded. This caused several homes to be destroyed. In all, 20 homes were completely destroyed, 14 homes sustained major damage, 52 homes sustained minor damage, and 96 homes sustained at least some damame. Damage totals for the event reached over $8 million.
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 Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 11, 2:55 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 355 PM CDT THU SEP 11 2008 .DISCUSSION...VERY LITTLE CHANGE IN THINKING FROM ONE FORECAST SHIFT TO THE NEXT. MODELS HAVE BEEN DIALED IN ON THE WESTERN U.S. TROUGH AND ASSOCIATED FRONT FOR SOME TIME NOW. WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN A BROAD AREA OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN AFFECTING OUR WESTERN AND NORTHERN ZONES...AND EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE. MORE LIGHTNING STRIKES NOW SHOWING UP OUT IN WEST TEXAS...AND THERE IS CONCERN THAT THE RAINFALL INTENSITY COULD INCREASE LATE TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY...AS STRONGER DEEP LAYER LIFT INTERACTS WITH THE COLD FRONT DROPPING INTO NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA. THE AXIS OF HEAVIEST RAIN LOOKS TO REMAIN TIED TO LIFT IN THE 700-500 MB LAYER...AND THIS AXIS IS NOT FORECAST TO CHANGE APPRECIABLY THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. THE RESULT COULD BE A SLOWLY WORSENING SITUATION THAT EVENTUALLY LEADS TO VERY SIGNIFICANT FLOODING. THE GREATEST CONCERN IS GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM ALTUS TO KINGFISHER TO STILLWATER. FARTHER SOUTH...A LOOSELY DEFINED WARM FRONT WAS APPROACHING SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON...LEADING TO A THINNING OF CLOUDS AS THE MID LEVEL MOISTURE PLUME LIFTS NORTHWARD. THE RESULT WILL BE WARMER AND MORE SHOWERY WEATHER IN THOSE REGION...WITH LOWER RAIN TOTALS THROUGH SATURDAY...BUT STILL THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCAL DOWNPOURS. EARLY SATURDAY...MID LEVEL LIFT COMES TO A MINIMUM FOR A SHORT TIME...BUT LIFT SHOULD INCREASE WITH THE RAPID APPROACH OF HURRICANE IKE. ALTHOUGH THE CENTER OF IKE IS MORE LIKELY TO TRACK THROUGH SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA INTO ARKANSAS...IT IS A LARGE STORM THAT WILL SPREAD MOISTURE NORTH AND WEST OF THE CENTER...WHERE IT CAN INTERACT WITH THE COLD FRONT. ADDITIONALLY...A TRACK FARTHER TO THE WEST IS STILL IN THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY...ESPECIALLY IF IKE STRENGTHENS TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD HAVE A GREATER INFLUENCE ON THE STEERING ENVIRONMENT. GIVEN THE ONGOING UNCERTAINTIES...WE WILL CONTINUE THE ENTIRE FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY. NO CHANGES MADE BEYOND SUNDAY NIGHT. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... OKLAHOMA CITY OK 69 85 69 81 / 60 40 30 60 HOBART OK 70 86 70 80 / 90 60 40 60 WICHITA FALLS TX 72 90 71 82 / 40 30 20 70 GAGE OK 65 78 63 77 / 100 80 60 50 PONCA CITY OK 69 84 70 80 / 90 60 50 60 DURANT OK 71 87 73 85 / 30 10 20 70 && .OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR OKZ004>048-050>052. TX...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR TXZ083>090. && 06/22 BURKE
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1157 AM CDT THU SEP 11 2008
OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-121200-
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-GRANT-KAY-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-GARFIELD-NOBLE-
ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-CUSTER-BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-BECKHAM-
WASHITA-CADDO-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-GRADY-MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-
POTTAWATOMIE-SEMINOLE-HUGHES-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-TILLMAN-
COMANCHE-STEPHENS-GARVIN-MURRAY-PONTOTOC-COAL-COTTON-JEFFERSON-
CARTER-JOHNSTON-ATOKA-LOVE-MARSHALL-BRYAN-HARDEMAN-FOARD-WILBARGER-
WICHITA-KNOX-BAYLOR-ARCHER-CLAY-
1157 AM CDT THU SEP 11 2008
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN...WESTERN...
CENTRAL...AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA...AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK...
RAIN AND A FEW EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY. THE THREAT FOR
FLOODING WILL INCREASE...BUT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED.
DISCUSSION...
A STATIONARY FRONT WAS DRAPED ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST TEXAS...
WITH GULF MOISTURE FLOWING NORTHWARD OVER THE FRONT. A JET STREAM
ALIGNED FROM THE BAJA PENINSULA TOWARD THE PLAINS...WILL PROVIDE A
FOCUS FOR CONTINUAL RAIN THROUGH TONIGHT...AFFECTING MAINLY FAR
WESTERN NORTH TEXAS UP THROUGH WESTERN AND NORTHERN OKLAHOMA.
INSTABILITY WILL BE MINIMAL...WITH VERY LITTLE POTENTIAL FOR
LIGHTNING. RAINFALL...HOWEVER...WILL BE QUITE HEAVY AT TIMES...AS
TROPICAL MOISTURE STREAMS IN FROM THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN. THE
THREAT FOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE...INITIALLY ON SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...AND IN POORLY DRAINED OR LOW LYING AREAS.
EVENTUALLY...MAIN STEM RIVER FLOODING MAY OCCUR. THE GREATEST
CONCERN IS GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM CROWELL AND VERNON TEXAS
TO OKLAHOMA CITY AND STILLWATER. STEADY RAIN IS EXPECTED NORTH OF
THIS LINE...WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF AT LEAST 2 TO 4 INCHES BY FRIDAY
MORNING. AREAS FARTHER SOUTH WILL SEE INTERMITTENT SHOWERS AND LOWER
RAIN TOTALS. IF ANY THUNDERSTORMS OCCUR...THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY
AFFECT WESTERN NORTH TEXAS AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA DURING THE
AFTERNOON AND EVENING. A FEW STRONG WIND GUSTS AND TORRENTIAL
DOWNPOURS ARE POSSIBLE...BUT A LACK OF INSTABILITY WILL KEEP THE
CHANCE FOR SEVERE WEATHER VERY LOW.
PROBABILITY TABLE...
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT FRIDAY SEP 12.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA...100 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR...LESS THAN 10 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
FLOODING REMAINS THE PRIMARY CONCERN.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK...
RAIN AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY IN PARTS OF THE REGION
THROUGH SUNDAY. DUE TO LIMITED INSTABILITY...NO ORGANIZED SEVERE
WEATHER IS EXPECTED.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING COULD BE FURTHER ENHANCED IN WESTERN AND
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA WHEN A SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT ARRIVES ON FRIDAY.
THE FRONT...AND ASSOCIATED HEAVY RAIN IS FORECAST TO INCH TOWARD
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA...AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS LATE
SATURDAY. THE FRONT WILL COMBINE WITH THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IKE
TO KEEP FLOODING RAINS IN THE FORECAST THROUGH SUNDAY. IF YOU LIVE
IN OR NEAR AN AREA THAT IS PRONE TO FLOODING...YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO
STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE
NECESSARY STEPS TO MINIMIZE FLOODING IMPACTS.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL BE ISSUED AT 7 AM
FRIDAY.
BURKESPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 1218 PM CDT THU SEP 11 2008 OKZ014>017-021-022-033>035-111800- ROGER MILLS OK-DEWEY OK-BLAINE OK-CUSTER OK-BECKHAM OK-WASHITA OK- KIOWA OK-GREER OK-HARMON OK- 1218 PM CDT THU SEP 11 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY... THIS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY IS FOR BECKHAM...BLAINE...CUSTER... DEWEY...GREER...HARMON...KIOWA...ROGER MILLS AND WASHITA COUNTIES. AT 1218 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A LARGE AREA OF RAIN OVER SOUTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OKLAHOMA MOVING TO THE NORTH AROUND 30 MPH. THE RAIN WAS GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM HOLLIS TO HOBART TO BINGER AND EL RENO. SOME OF THE RAIN WAS VERY HEAVY WITH RAINFALL RATES BETWEEN 1 AND 1 1/2 INCHES PER HOUR. THIS WILL RESULT IN SOME FLOODING OF POOR DRAINAGE AREAS...AND PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS. ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN WAS LOCATED ACROSS EASTERN PARTS OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE AND SOME FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS MAY RESULT AND FLOOD ADVISORIES MAY BECOME NECESSARY LATER THIS THIS AFTERNOON. PLEASE KEEP ADVISED OF THE LATEST WEATHER STATEMENTS.
The Altus AFB radar (KFDR), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:31 UTC.
18 heavy rain, 13 flash flood, 5 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
At least a foot of water accumulated over a couple of roadways, including a small area of Highway 30. One car was stalled due to driving into the high water.
Water over Highway 183 made it impassable.
Water covered parts of Highways 281 and 60 making them impassable.
Water was over US Highway 64 near Cherokee making it impassable.
Highway 8/58 was closed due to water over the roadway. Numerous homes and businesses had water up to the front entryways. At least 100 homes suffered minor water damage. Monetary damages were estimated.
Water was over US Highway 64 making it impassable.
At least 100 homes were damaged due to flooding. Numerous streets were also closed due to the very high water. Monetary damages were estimated.
US Highway 64 was closed due to high water.
US HIghway 81 was closed between Medford and Pond Creek due to water running over the roadway.
State Highway 11 was closed due to water running over the roadway.
Highway 281 was closed due to water over the roadway.
The River Road near the River Bridge was closed due to at least a foot of water running over top of it.
At least eight inches of water was running over Highway 60, making it impassable.
The measured rainfall was 8.74 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 4.20 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.98 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 4.45 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 7.30 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 6.51 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.62 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 5.10 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 4.48 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.38 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 7.45 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 9.23 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.69 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 4.30 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.74 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 5.89 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 8.30 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
The measured rainfall was 3.03 inches, much of it falling in a six to eight hour period.
Most roadways going in and out of Mutual were inaccessible. At least one residence had been flooded two miles west of town. Monetary damages were estimated.
Numerous roadways were closed over the western half of the county due to overnight and early morning heavy rainfall.
Numerous roadways in and around Cherokee remained closed due to overnight and early morning heavy rainfall.
Highway 8 between Cleo Springs and Orienta remained closed due to overnight and early morning heavy rainfall.
The county sheriff reported that numerous roads remained closed due to overnight and early morning heavy rainfall.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, September 2008
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: 136934, 136901, 136902, 136903, 136939, 136904, 136940, 136905, 136906, 136907, 136908, 136910, 136909, 136911, 136912, 136913, 136914, 136915, 136916, 136917, 136918, 136919, 136920, 136921, 136922, 136923, 136924, 136925, 136926, 136927, 136928, 136929, 136930, 136931, 136932, 136933.