Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, May 24, 2011

This tornado is labeled A1 (Segment #1 of the Canton Lake tornado). This large tornado began west of Canton and moved north-northeast toward (and eventually over) Canton Lake. The damage was confined to trees and power poles/lines during the early stages of the tornado. However, more significant damage occurred as the tornado moved into Blaine County. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled A1 (Segment #2 of the Canton Lake tornado). The tornado moved northeast toward Canton Lake, which is where more significant damage occurred. Near the lake, on both sides where the tornado crossed, significant tree damage occurred. Numerous trailer homes were knocked over or destroyed. On the south side of the lake, two injuries occurred at the Canadian Campground. Several other campers took shelter in a concrete bathhouse. Although the bathhouse sustained damage, no injuries were reported. Other concrete structures (benches, pick-nick tables, etc.) were knocked over or shattered. On the other side of the lake, southwest of Longdale, significant damage continued to more structures and trees. The tornado continued to move almost due north into Major County. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled Tornado B1 (Lookeba Tornado). This tornado damaged/destroyed several structures and mangled numerous many trees and power poles. The tornado dissipated near the Canadian County line, minutes before the storm produced another tornado in Canadian County that became the EF5 Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled A1 (Segment #3 of the Canton Lake tornado). The large, violent tornado continued north into Major county. The tornado hit homesteads and barns, severely damaging most structures, and splintering trees and power poles. One of the farmsteads received on the upper end of EF-3 damage, with the house completely collapsing and the trees on the property debarked and snapped. The tornado continued near Cedar Springs, damaging the church roof, and severely damaging a mobile home and several buildings at a farmstead. The tornado finally lifted southwest of Fairview. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled A2 (SW of Fairview brief tornado). A number of storm chasers observed this tornado to the southwest of Fairview. No known damage occurred.

This tornado is labeled Tornado B2 (Segment #1 of the Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado). This tornado began very close to the Caddo/Canadian county border and quickly became a strong/violent tornado. The tornado destroyed numerous trees, many of them were debarked, before crossing Interstate 40. Three people died in vehicles near the I-40 Calumet exit, and two other fatalities occurred just northeast of that location. Cars were thrown thousands of feet off the roadways. It is believed that the tornado reached its maximum intensity just after crossing I-40, and it was here that a mobile radar measured winds of greater than 210 mph just off the surface. The El Reno Oklahoma Mesonet station (5 miles west) measured wind gusts of 131 and 151 mph. From this location, the tornado continued northeast, narrowly missing the town of Piedmont. Widespread EF-3, occasional EF-4 damage occurred between El Reno and Piedmont. More widespread EF-4 damage was seen west and north of Piedmont. Especially hard hit was the Falcon Lake neighborhood, near the Kingfisher county border. Two children were killed at this location. The tornado continued into southeastern Kingfisher County. Monetary damage estimates were not available at this time, but were probably going to be well in the tens of millions.

KWSO-TV reported golf-ball size hail falling on the west side of Lawton.

The highest wind gust ever recorded at an Oklahoma Mesonet site was measured near El Reno, as an EF-5 tornado tore a path through Canadian county. The wind speed increased from 61 mph at 1618 CDT, to 66 mph at 1619 CDT, to 131 mph at 1620 CDT, to 151 at 1621 CDT, and then to 91 mph at 1622 CDT. The tornado caused considerable damage to the area surrounding the Mesonet as it moved northeast.

Tornado B3 (Richland tornado.) A Storm Prediction Center employee observed a satellite tornado rotating around the primary Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado for a couple of minutes to the northwest of Richland. This tornado produced no known damage that was distinguished from the primary tornado.

This tornado is labeled B2 (Segment #2 of Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado). The tornado entered far southeast Kingfisher county before moving into Logan county. However, EF-3 damage occurred just over the Kingfisher county border, debarking trees and significantly damaging buildings. As the tornado continued northeast, the damage was mainly considered EF-2, with damage to mostly outbuildings and trees. The tornado continued into Logan County. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled B2 (Segment #3 of the Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado). The tornado moved into Logan County and resulted in two additional fatalities (both of whom were outside when the tornado struck) near Cashion. The tornado destroyed several manufactured homes (both double- and single-wide) after entering Logan county. Large high-transmission line tresses collapsed. Trees were debarked with only stumps remaining. Several buildings had most of their exterior walls collapse, with only the inner walls remaining. EF-2 to occasionally EF-3 damage occurred as the tornado neared Guthrie. Luckily, most of the town of Guthrie was spared to the tornado as it moved west and then north of the center of the city. Finally, the tornado dissipated northeast of Guthrie with some minor tree damage. After it was all said and done, the tornado continued for 63 miles, and lasted around an hour and 45 minutes. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled C1 (Segment #1 of the Chickasha-Blanchard-Newcastle tornado). The tornado formed on the south side of Chickasha, quickly doing EF-2 damage. Mobile homes were damaged and destroyed, trees were uprooted/destroyed, outbuildings were destroyed, and many buildings lost significant portions of their roofs. One fatality occurred as a mobile home was destroyed in the south portion of Chickasha. As the tornado moved northeast of Chickasha, it gained significant strength, with several areas receiving EF-4 damage. Well-built homes were destroyed. Trees were debarked with only stumps remaining. Cars were thrown hundreds of feet. Almost continuous EF-3/occasional EF-4 damage occurred northeast until it crossed into McClain county 1.5 miles south of Highway 9. The tornado was probably at its strongest as it neared/crossed the McClain county line. Wind speeds there were estimated near 200 mph. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled D1 (Segment #1 of the Washington-Goldsby tornado). This tornado developed west of Bradley, downing tree limbs as it moved northeast. The tornado began to increase in intensity, producing EF-3 damage, as it approached McClain county. Although the damage was confined to trees, the severity of the damage became more intense. Trees were snapped at the bases, or debarked altogether. The tornado was several hundred yards wide as it neared the county line. Luckily, very few structures were in the path. This tornado continued into McClain County. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled D1 (Segment #2 of the Washington-Goldsby tornado). Widespread tree damage and ground scouring was ongoing as the tornado crossed into McClain county. As the tornado crossed Highway 76, even more intense damage occurred. EF-4 damage was surveyed at several locations. Several homes were reduced to a pile of rubble, or were wiped clean off of their foundations. Automobiles were mangled and almost unrecognizable. The tornado weakened and narrowed as it crossed CR 410. Even though the tornado had weakened, EF-2 to EF-3 damage was still occurring as it approached Highway 39. The tornado increased in intensity once again near the Highway, with EF-4 damage surveyed for the 2nd time. Well constructed homes were destroyed, with several wiped clean off of their foundations. This also began a longer streak of higher end damage, with EF-3 to EF-4 damage occurring until it crossed Highway 74B, west of High Avenue. Equally devastating destruction occurred over the areas of EF-4 damage. The tornado lifted west of Goldsby with still EF-3 damage occurring prior to lifting. It should be noted that this tornado had estimated winds up to 200 mph at times, falling just short of the damage indicator for an EF-5 tornado. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled C1 (Segment #2 of the Chickasha-Blanchard-Newcastle tornado). Significant damage continued as the violent tornado moved over the McClain county border. This may have been the strongest portion of this tornado, with wind speeds near 200 mph. Well-built homes were destroyed, with some cleaned off of their foundation. A concrete dome home was severely damage, mainly by the flying debris. Trees were debarked or destroyed. Very little was left standing for the first few miles into McClain county. Fairly consistent EF-3, with brief periods of EF-4 damage occurred as the tornado neared/crossed Highway 9, near the Highway 76 junction. The tornado began to weaken as it moved toward the Cleveland county border, with mainly trees and power poles/lines snapped. The tornado continued into Cleveland County. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

Tornado C2 (Newcastle tornado.) An NWS employee observed this tornado in the southwestern portion of Newcastle while the primary Chickasha-Blanchard-Newcastle tornado was located to the south or southwest. This tornado only produced light damage.

This tornado was labeled B4 (Stillwater tornado). This tornado developed with mainly tree and power pole/line damage. The tree damage was significant, with several homes impacted as the tornado traveled northeast. Significant roof and siding damage occurred to the homes, with several barns and outbuildings sustaining significant damage or were destroyed altogether. EF-2 damage continued as the tornado moved south of Stillwater, with additional structures sustaining roof damage. A couple of the homes also had collapsed chimneys. The damage lessened in severity over the latter half of the tornado path, with mostly tree damage and minor structural damage. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

This tornado is labeled C1 (Segment #3 of the Chickasha-Blanchard-Newcastle tornado). Only minor tree/power pole/power line damage occurred inside the Cleveland county line. A few barns and outbuilding also sustained minor damage east of I-44. The tornado dissipated just north of the South Canadian River. After it was finally over, the tornado continued for just under an hour, with a length of around 32 miles. Peak wind speeds were estimated just under 200 mph. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

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A large tree and metal awning were blown down. Monetary damages were estimated.

Tornado D2 (Goldsby tornado.)

Storm chasers observed a tornado southeast of Goldsby in a parallel track to the east-southeast of the primary Washington-Goldsby tornado. An NWS storm survey team observed barn damage associated with this tornado.

The hail was reported near Highway 9 and 60th Streets. Golf-ball size was also reported near Rock Creek Road and 60th Street.

The hail fell at the National Weather Center.

A large tree was uprooted. Monetary damages were estimated.

A number of homes in Ringling suffered roof damage, and widespread tree and outbuilding damage occurred.

Tornado D3 (McLoud tornado.) A tornado developed west-southwest of the intersection of Fishmarket Road and Memorial Road to the south-southwest of McLoud. The tornado moved east-northeast where a telephone company building lost it's roof, and a number of sheds were damaged and causing tree damage as it crossed the intersection and Fishmarket and Memorial roads. Extensive tree damage continued northeast of this intersection, at least one home suffered the destruction of an attached garage and a few homes suffered roof and window damage. The tornado turned north-northeast crossing Interstate 40 near the Walker Road bridge where it struck and semi truck, lifting and destroying the trailer, lofting the pieces to the north. The tornado dissipated soon after crossing Interstate 40. Although the tornado was very narrow, the rotational velocity of the tornado was observed to be very strong. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

The roof was blown off of a trailer home. Monetary damages were estimated.

The hail fell at the intersection of Main Street and Wyndemere Lakes Drive.

No damage occurred with the wind gust.

This tornado is labeled E1 (the Ravia-Tishomingo tornado). This tornado began just north of Ravia and traveled east-northeast toward Tishomingo. Widespread tree damage occurred as, luckily, few structures were in the path. Four homes sustained minor roof damage, with another two homes damage by the falling trees. A 50-foot grain silo also lost its roof. The tornado lifted a couple of miles north of Tishomingo. No injuries were reported as a result of the tornado. Monetary damage estimates were not available.

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No damage occurred with the wind gust.