Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, March 25 to 26, 2015

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, March 25 to 26, 2015
Start: 2015-03-25T14:05
End: 2015-03-26T02:00
Location: Oklahoma

March 25 to 26, 2015 · NWS TSA · 90 events in 17 counties and zones

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: 3
Injuries: 30
Property damage: $3.6 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 90

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 developed during the afternoon hours to the east of a surface low pressure system located over southwestern Oklahoma and near a stationary frontal boundary that was draped across northeastern Oklahoma. Several of these storms developed supercell characteristics due to a very unstable air mass that was in place over the region coupled with strong vertical wind shear. These supercells produced several tornadoes, including a strong tornado that resulted in a fatality in Sand Springs. The storms also produced hail up to softball size and wind gusts to around 90 mph.

The storms evolved into a line during the evening hours and moved swiftly across eastern Oklahoma producing wind damage and hail to golfball size.

Locally heavy rainfall as a result of storms moving repeatedly across the same locations resulted in flash flooding. Two flash flood fatalities occurred in Muskogee County when a vehicle was driven into flood waters and was swept off the road.

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 25, 11:53 AM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 25, 11:53 AM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
1253 PM CDT WED MAR 25 2015

.AVIATION...
CONCERNING TAF SITES KTUL/KRVS/KBVO/KMLC/KXNA/KFYV/KFSM/KROG.
MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON EXCEPT AT
KBVO WHERE MVFR CEILINGS MAY LINGER MUCH OF THE AFTERNOON.
WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP LATE THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS A COLD FRONT SWEEPS ACROSS THE AREA. MVFR
CONDITIONS ALONG WITH GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL BE PREVALENT BEHIND
THE FRONT. CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO IMPROVE AT THE NORTHEAST
OKLAHOMA SITES LATE TONIGHT...WITH ALL SITES BECOMING VFR BY MID
TO LATE MORNING THURSDAY.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1119 AM CDT WED MAR 25 2015/

DISCUSSION...
WARM FRONT IS LIFTING NORTH ACROSS THE AREA AT THIS TIME. LOW
CLOUDINESS IS IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING UP AND WE SHOULD SEE
ENOUGH SUNSHINE FOR TEMPERATURES TO WARM TO THE FORECAST VALUES.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT APPEARS LIKELY BY 4-5 PM NEAR AND
JUST NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 44 CORRIDOR. ALL MODES OF SEVERE
WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE INITIAL STORMS...WITH A
TRANSITION TOWARDS A DAMAGING WIND THREAT BY EARLY EVENING AS A
COLD POOL DEVELOPS AND STORMS BEGIN TO ACCELERATE TO THE
SOUTHEAST. HAVE MADE A FEW MINOR CHANGES TO AFTERNOON
POPS...TEMPERATURES AND SKY COVER WITH THE REST OF THE FORECAST
LEFT AS IS.

UPDATE ON THE WAY.

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 4 PM WEDNESDAY TO 7 AM THURSDAY FOR
     OKZ056-OKZ057-OKZ058-OKZ060-OKZ061-OKZ062-OKZ063-OKZ067.

AR...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 4 PM WEDNESDAY TO 7 AM THURSDAY FOR
     ARZ001-ARZ002.

&&

AVIATION...05

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 25, 12:20 PM CST, 1 hour 45 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
120 PM CDT WED MAR 25 2015

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-261000-
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-
120 PM CDT WED MAR 25 2015

...SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING
ALONG WITH THE THREAT FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING...

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

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
TORNADO.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.
	ONSET...LATE AFTERNOON.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
	RISK...SIGNIFICANT.
	AREA...EASTERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.
	ONSET...LATE AFTERNOON.

	AREA AT GREATEST RISK...NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

FLASH FLOOD.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.
	ONSET...LATE AFTERNOON.

HEAVY RAIN.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.
	ONSET...LATE AFTERNOON.

SIGNIFICANT WINDS.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.
	ONSET...THIS EVENING.

FIRE WEATHER DANGER.
	RISK...ELEVATED.
	AREA...EASTERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS.
	ONSET...ONGOING.

DISCUSSION...
SCATTERED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP
BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON NEAR OR JUST NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 44
CORRIDOR IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA. LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND A
TORNADO OR TWO WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS. THESE INTIIAL
STORMS WILL ALSO BE SLOW MOVING...RESULTING IN LOCALLY HEAVY
RAINFALL AND THE RISK OF FLASH FLOODING.

BY EARLY THIS EVENING...THE STORMS WILL CONGEAL INTO A MORE SOLID
LINE OF STORMS THAT WILL THEN PROGRESS SOUTHEAST ACROSS EASTERN
OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT
WILL TRANSITION TO DAMAGING WINDS DURING THIS TIME FRAME. LOCALLY
HEAVY RAINFALL WILL REMAIN POSSIBLE WITH THE STORMS THIS EVENING.

NORTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT FOLLOWING
THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT. WIND GUSTS MAY EXCEED 40 MILES AN
HOUR AT TIMES ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
ACTIVATION OF THE REGIONAL SPOTTER NETWORK EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.
THURSDAY...HIGH WIND POTENTIAL.
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...NO HAZARDS.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY...THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
WARM WEATHER AND MOISTURE RETURN OVER THE WEEKEND WILL AGAIN SET
THE STAGE FOR THUNDERSTORMS AS A COLD FRONT TRAVERSES THE REGION
MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/TULSA CONTAINS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 20 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:06 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

55 hail, 25 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Sequoyah

When: March 25, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Sequoyah County, 0.3 mi ENE of Roland
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.421, -94.515

Hail, Adair

When: March 25, 2:27 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.78 mi NE of Christie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.958, -94.690

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 2:52 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 0.39 mi NW of Oilton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.084, -96.584

Hail, Adair

When: March 25, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.58 mi N of Ballard
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.108, -94.570

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 0.63 mi W of Bristow
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.831, -96.391

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 3:19 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 1.04 mi WSW of Kellyville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.944, -96.237

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 3:19 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 3.07 mi WSW of Maramec
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.241, -96.724

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 5 mi W of Sapulpa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.000, -96.189

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 3:41 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Jennings
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.180, -96.570

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 3:41 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 0.68 mi W of Sapulpa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.998, -96.112

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 6 mi SW of Tulsa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.089, -96.026

Hail, Osage

When: March 25, 3:48 PM CST
Where: Osage County, Pawhuska
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 36.670, -96.330

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 4 mi SE of Sand Spgs
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.109, -96.069

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 3:53 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 2.2 mi ENE of Bozarth
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.089, -95.982

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 3:57 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 3.9 mi N of Hallett
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.286, -96.568

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 3:58 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 3 mi S of Tulsa
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.107, -95.950

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 0.8 mi SSE of Cleveland
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.309, -96.466

Thunderstorm Wind, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 1.34 mi NW of Cleveld Keystone Arp
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.233, -96.368

Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed the marina and sunk several boats at the marina.

Thunderstorm Wind, Creek

When: March 25, 4:15 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 0.37 mi WSW of New Mannford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.128, -96.356

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Tornado, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:21 PM CST to 4:25 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 1.25 mi W of Appalachia to 0.76 mi ESE of Appalachia
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Osage, Ok (TSA)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.183, -96.302

This is the first segment of a three segment tornado. The tornado developed over Keystone Lake, west of Appalachia Bay Recreation Area. The beginning of this tornado was filmed by storm chasers. The tornado moved east-southeast across the lake waters and adjacent uninhabited land areas. Damage is strongly suspected to trees in this segment of the tornado but those suspected areas were not accessible by road. The tornado continued into Osage County, Oklahoma.

Tornado, Osage

When: March 25, 4:25 PM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 4.74 mi SE of Prue to 5.53 mi W of Sand Spgs
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 650 yd
Continued into: Tulsa, Ok (TSA)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.176, -96.267

This is the second segment of a three segment tornado. The tornado crossed into Osage County over Keystone Lake and quickly crossed Highway 412. It then moved through a wooded area that was inaccessible by road. The first damage that was accessible by the survey team was at S 209th W Avenue, where the tornado damaged a church, snapped large tree limbs, and damaged a home. It moved east-southeast toward W Archer Road snapping or uprooting trees and damaging homes. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 95 to 105 mph. The tornado continued into Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

Hail, Rogers

When: March 25, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 0.64 mi NNE of Catoosa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.188, -95.745

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: March 25, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 0.65 mi NNE of Catoosa
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.189, -95.746

Strong thunderstorm wind damaged a few signs.

Tornado, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:30 PM CST to 4:38 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 2.27 mi WNW of Wekiwa to 0.93 mi NNE of Prattville
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.1 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 30 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.161, -96.218

This is the third segment of a three segment tornado. The tornado moved into Tulsa County at W Archer Road to the east of S 209th W Avenue. The roofs of several homes were damaged and trees were uprooted as it crossed S 193rd W Avenue. The tornado moved southeast crossing Highway 412, where it snapped or uprooted numerous trees and blew a tractor trailer off the road. A doughnut shop was destroyed at S 177th W Avenue, homes were damaged, and trees and poles were snapped. It crossed the Arkansas River and moved through the River Oaks Estates Mobile Home Park where it destroyed 58 mobile homes and two permanent homes. One fatality and about 30 injuries occurred in this park. The tornado crossed the Arkansas River again as it moved east-southeast toward Sand Springs, uprooting numerous trees before dissipating on the south side of Sand Springs, south of Highway 412 and just west of Highway 97. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 125 to 135 mph.

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 0.51 mi NNE of Appalachia
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.187, -96.276

Thunderstorm Wind, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 0.5 mi NNE of Appalachia
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.186, -96.275

A trained storm spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts to 80 mph.

Hail, Osage

When: March 25, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Osage County, 1.31 mi ENE of Prue
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.240, -96.300

Flash Flood, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:45 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, Cleveland to 0.72 mi SSW of Cleveland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.320, -96.470

Several roads were flooded in and around town.

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Tulsa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.150, -95.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.79 mi WNW of Tulsa Young Arpt
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.137, -95.851

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees and power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:45 PM CST to 4:55 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.49 mi WNW of West Tulsa to 1.12 mi NNE of Bruner
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.156, -96.046

Strong thunderstorm wind blowing from the north to south damaged numerous homes, snapped or uprooted numerous trees, and blew down power poles. A building had the north-facing wall blown in and the roof above it collapsed. Seventy-five young girls were in the building at the time and sheltered in the basement just before the storm severely damaged the building. No injuries resulted from this damage.

Hail, Pawnee

When: March 25, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Pawnee County, 0.89 mi NNE of Appalachia
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.192, -96.273

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:53 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.79 mi SE of Sand Spgs
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.142, -96.110

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:57 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 2.18 mi N of Tulsa R L Jones Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.061, -95.976

Hail, Creek

When: March 25, 4:58 PM CST
Where: Creek County, 0.4 mi W of New Mannford
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.130, -96.357

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:58 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.89 mi W of Tulsa
Measured: 72 kt (83 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.149, -95.984

A weather instrument atop the Sun Building in downtown Tulsa measured 83 mph thunderstorm wind gusts. The height of the instrument is 171 feet above the ground.

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 4:59 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.48 mi ESE of Sperry
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.297, -95.992

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1 mi W of Sand Spgs
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.150, -96.138

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:00 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.73 mi SSE of Dawson to 1.97 mi W of Tulsa Young Arpt
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.161, -95.894

Strong thunderstorm wind apparently associated with the rear flank downdraft of the tornadic supercell just to the north and east resulted in widespread damage from along I-244 to east of Highway 169 south of I-44. Numerous homes were damaged, trees were snapped or uprooted, businesses were damaged, and power poles were blown down. The building that houses the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Tulsa had a glass door blown in by the wind and gravel was blown from the roof of the building onto the south parking lot, damaging numerous vehicles.

Tornado, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:01 PM CST to 5:05 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.03 mi E of Dawson to 1.99 mi SW of Garnett
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.3 mi
Path width: 600 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.169, -95.882

This tornado developed in an undeveloped area south of the Tulsa International Airport and moved southeast toward Admiral Blvd. The tornado damaged several mobile homes, a number of permanent homes, and snapped large tree limbs north of I-244. Numerous homes, a number of mobile homes, a strip mall, an apartment complex, and businesses were damaged south of I-244 and west of Highway 169. The tornado continued southeast as it crossed Highway 169 at and south of Admiral Blvd., damaging the roofs of numerous homes and snapping many large tree limbs. A carport was destroyed and a garage door of a home was blown inward as the tornado turned more southerly before dissipating near E 11th Street South, just west of Garnett Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 70 to 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.81 mi SE of Owasso
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.249, -95.830

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees at 66th St North and 129th E Ave.

Hail, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 0.25 mi N of Foyil
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.434, -95.520

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.66 mi ESE of Sand Spgs
Measured: 3 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.148, -96.108

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:07 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.05 mi S of Berry Hill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.119, -96.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.08 mi S of Broken Arrow Cotton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.119, -95.770

Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed a large wooden swing set.

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:12 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.43 mi WSW of (Tul)tulsa Intl Arpt
Measured: 4.25 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.192, -95.903

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.7 mi SSW of Dawson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.160, -95.904

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.86 mi SE of Tulsa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.141, -95.940

Strong thunderstorm wind gusts damaged the roofs of houses.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.7 mi SSW of Dawson
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.160, -95.904

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 70 mph.

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:18 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.72 mi WNW of Lynn Lane
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.162, -95.797

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:19 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.8 mi E of West Tulsa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.151, -95.988

Hail, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:24 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 0.64 mi NNE of Catoosa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.189, -95.746

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: March 25, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 5.05 mi W of Adair
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.440, -95.360

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped numerous large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 2 mi W of Catoosa
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.180, -95.786

A storm spotter estimated thunderstorm inflow winds of 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 2.7 mi NW of Broken Arrow
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.078, -95.814

A storm spotter estimated thunderstorm inflow wind of 60 mph.

Hail, Mayes

When: March 25, 5:28 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 1 mi E of Locust Grove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.200, -95.152

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:29 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 0.69 mi SSW of Dawson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.161, -95.904

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.03 mi SE of Tulsa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.141, -95.936

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted a few trees.

Hail, Tulsa

When: March 25, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 1.97 mi SE of Tulsa
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.133, -95.922

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:33 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 0.57 mi NNE of Catoosa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.188, -95.746

Strong thunderstorm wind blew some windows out of homes.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: March 25, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 1 mi S of Adair
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.416, -95.270

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped numerous large tree limbs.

Hail, Mayes

When: March 25, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 0.47 mi N of Adair
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.437, -95.272

Hail, Craig

When: March 25, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Craig County, 6.33 mi SSE of White Oak
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.537, -95.222

Hail, Mayes

When: March 25, 5:41 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 3 mi S of Rose
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.177, -95.030

Hail, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 5 mi E of Catoosa
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.180, -95.660

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: March 25, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Rogers County, 5 mi S of Inola
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.078, -95.500

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Tornado, Mayes

When: March 25, 6:02 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 1.6 mi NW of Mazie
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 36.116, -95.390

Storm chasers and storm spotters saw a brief tornado. Some debris was seen in the air under a tapered funnel cloud.

Hail, Delaware

When: March 25, 6:06 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 4 mi S of Colcord
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.212, -94.680

Hail, Mayes

When: March 25, 6:24 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, 0.67 mi NE of Mazie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.108, -95.363

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: March 25, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, Locust Grove
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.200, -95.170

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees and a few power poles.

Hail, Mayes

When: March 25, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Mayes County, Locust Grove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.200, -95.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: March 25, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Peggs
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.080, -95.100

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down about 25 trees, damaged several buildings, and blew shingles off the roofs of several homes in the Sycamore Springs Ranch area.

Flash Flood, Tulsa

When: March 25, 6:30 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Tulsa County, Tulsa to 1.12 mi SE of Tulsa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.150, -95.950

A portion of the Broken Arrow Expressway near 15th Street South was flooded.

Hail, Delaware

When: March 25, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Oaks
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.170, -94.850

Hail, Adair

When: March 25, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.82 mi NNW of Chewey
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.140, -94.780

Hail, Delaware

When: March 25, 6:58 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 0.35 mi NNE of Kansas
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.205, -94.798

Hail, Delaware

When: March 25, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 1.78 mi SW of Moseley
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.180, -94.650

Tornado, Adair

When: March 25, 7:06 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 5 mi W of Watts
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 36.120, -94.660

Storm chasers saw a brief tornado. Power flashes were observed under a tapered funnel cloud.

Thunderstorm Wind, Okfuskee

When: March 25, 7:08 PM CST
Where: Okfuskee County, 0.2 mi NW of Boley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 35.502, -96.483

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees and snapped large tree limbs north of Boley.

Hail, Adair

When: March 25, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.6 mi N of Ballard
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.109, -94.569

Thunderstorm Wind, McIntosh

When: March 25, 7:50 PM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 0.08 mi S of Stidham
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.369, -95.700

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Hail, McIntosh

When: March 25, 8:59 PM CST
Where: McIntosh County, 5 mi W of Eufaula
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.280, -95.669

Hail, Le Flore

When: March 25, 9:12 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 0.86 mi NW of Cowlington
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.307, -94.792

Hail, Le Flore

When: March 25, 9:12 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 2.6 mi N of Cowlington
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.337, -94.774

Hail, Le Flore

When: March 25, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 0.86 mi ENE of Arkoma
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.354, -94.436

Hail, Pittsburg

When: March 25, 9:28 PM CST
Where: Pittsburg County, 0.73 mi ESE of North Mc Alester
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.948, -95.757

Hail, Le Flore

When: March 25, 9:28 PM CST
Where: Le Flore County, 0.12 mi NE of Pocola
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.231, -94.478

Flash Flood, Tulsa

When: March 25, 10:14 PM CST to March 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 3.44 mi SSE of Broken Arrow Arpk to 3.94 mi NNE of Bixby
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 36.002, -95.854

The river gage at Haikey Creek reported that the creek was out of its banks.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pushmataha

When: March 25, 10:43 PM CST
Where: Pushmataha County, 0.9 mi SW of Dunbar
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.460, -95.560

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Flash Flood, Muskogee

When: March 25, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Muskogee County, 5.59 mi SE of Warner to 5.91 mi SE of Warner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.452, -95.220

A vehicle with two occupants was driven into a flooded low water crossing where an estimated 1 to 1.25 inches of rain had fallen over the previous few hours. The vehicle was washed off the road and the occupants died in the flood waters.

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
Tornado, Tulsa	2015-03-25	41	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Flash Flood, Muskogee	2015-03-25	63	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flash Flood, Muskogee	2015-03-25	59	Male	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.
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.
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.
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

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Oklahoma, 2015 Warnings in Oklahoma, March 2015

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: 566512, 566513, 566515, 566517, 566519, 566520, 566521, 566522, 566523, 566524, 566525, 566526, 566527, 566528, 566530, 566531, 566533, 568989, 566535, 560160, 560177, 566537, 566539, 560188, 566540, 566541, 566553, 566558, 567976, 568263, 568994, 567977, 567978, 567979, 567980, 569022, 567981, 567983, 568996, 560273, and more.