Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 19 to 20, 2015

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 19 to 20, 2015
Start: 2015-05-19T10:02
End: 2015-05-20T06:00
Location: Oklahoma

May 19 to 20, 2015 · NWS OUN · 52 events in 19 counties and zones

Severe storms developed near a stalled boundary across Oklahoma and the panhandles and moved eastward through the afternoon and evening of the 19th, causing widespread heavy rainfall and additional flooding. One fatality occurred near Cole in McClain county, as a vehicle was swept into floodwaters.

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: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $302,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 52

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 OUN wrote it up.

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 Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 19, 9:55 AM CST, 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 19, 9:55 AM CST, 7 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1055 AM CDT TUE MAY 19 2015

.UPDATE...
EXPANDED FLOOD WATCH IN NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA TODAY. LOWERED
RAIN CHANCES THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON EAST OF I-35. MADE SMALL
ADJUSTMENTS TO OTHER ELEMENTS.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
THE FORECAST REMAINS CHALLENGING THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
THERE IS SOME POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE STORMS INCLUDING A FEW
TORNADOES MAINLY OVER WESTERN NORTH TEXAS AND SOUTHERN
OKLAHOMA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HEAVY RAINFALL POTENTIAL
IS INCREASING TODAY AS WELL OVER WESTERN OKLAHOMA.

LATEST RADARS INDICATED NON-SEVERE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
MAINLY OVER WESTERN OKLAHOMA. A SURFACE WARM FRONT EXTENDED
FROM JUST NORTH OF HOLLIS TO ATOKA AS OF 1045 AM. HEAVY RAINFALL
WAS OCCURRING FROM ARNETT TO HOBART.

HEAVY RAINFALL POTENTIAL SEEMS TO BE INCREASING IN WESTERN
OKLAHOMA WHERE A QUICK 1 TO 3 INCHES SEEM LIKELY WEST OF AN ALVA
TO WEATHERFORD TO ALTUS LINE. EXPANDED THE FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE
MORE COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA.

SEVERE POTENTIAL REMAINS UNCERTAIN...BUT THERE IS CHANCE FOR
SEVERE MAINLY IN THE 2 PM TO 10 PM TIME FRAME IN WESTERN NORTH
TEXAS AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA WHERE INSTABILITY IS HIGHEST NEAR AND
SOUTH OF A WARM FRONT. CLOUD COVER MAY LIMIT INSTABILITY. NOT
SURE HOW FAR THE WARM FRONT WILL LIFT NORTHWARD. REGARDLESS...
STRONG SHEAR AND SOME INSTABILITY SUPPORT SEVERE WEATHER. A FEW
SUPERCELLS MAY FORM IN THE SPC SLIGHT RISK AREA CAPABLE OF LARGE
HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. INCREASING LOW LEVEL SHEAR AND A VERY
MOIST ENVIRONMENT WOULD ALSO SUPPORT LOW TORNADO THREAT AS WELL.
STORMS MAY ORGANIZE INTO CLUSTERS OR LINES IN THE SLIGHT RISK
AREA. WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR.

PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED.

MBS/JTK

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 711 AM CDT TUE MAY 19 2015/

AVIATION...
12Z TAFS...IFR CEILINGS IN FAR SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND
NORTH TEXAS WILL GRADUALLY SPREAD NORTHWARD TODAY IN ADVANCE
OF A TROUGH. SHOWERS AND STORMS SHOULD BECOME MORE NUMEROUS ALONG
AND NORTH OF A STATIONARY FRONT IN NORTH TEXAS EARLY THIS MORNING.
RAIN AND STORM CHANCES WILL GRADUALLY SPREAD NORTH AND EAST
THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. STORMS SHOULD LINGER IN CENTRAL AND NORTH
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA THIS EVENING/OVERNIGHT WITH IMPROVING CONDITIONS
IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 406 AM CDT TUE MAY 19 2015/

DISCUSSION...
UPPER LOW/TROUGH OVER THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST WILL MOVE EAST TODAY
INTO TONIGHT...WHILE ANOTHER TROUGH TAKES SHAPE ALONG THE WEST
COAST. MEANWHILE...RATHER DRY...COOLER AIR...ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH
PRESSURE OVER THE DAKOTAS...HAS FILTERED INTO THE NORTHERN HALF OF
OKLAHOMA. WARM...HUMID AIR REMAINS IN FAR SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA/NORTH
TEXAS.

A SURFACE/LOW LEVEL FRONTAL BOUNDARY SHOULD HELP FOCUS HEAVY
RAINFALL ACROSS SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS THIS
MORNING/AFTERNOON. ANY PRECIPITATION NORTH OF THE FRONT SHOULD
KEEP THE BOUNDARY FROM LIFTING TO FAR NORTHWARD...ESPECIALLY
ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

A LITTLE UNSURE ABOUT HEAVY RAINFALL IN SOUTH CENTRAL AND
SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA PER WPC DAY1...BUT WILL ADD A FEW COUNTIES TO
CURRENT FLOOD WATCH IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS.

THE FOCUS FOR HEAVY RAIN SHOULD SHIFT NORTHEAST TONIGHT INTO
EARLY WEDNESDAY AS THE WESTERN TROUGH MOVES EAST AND FLATTENS. AN
ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS
WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THIS WILL SHIFT BETTER RAIN CHANCES
INTO TEXAS FOR THURSDAY.

ANOTHER ACTIVE PERIOD OF STORMS...SOME SEVERE WITH HEAVY
RAINFALL...WILL ARRIVE FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
OKLAHOMA CITY OK  73  62  68  53 /  60  80  60  30
HOBART OK         72  61  67  52 / 100  80  40  30
WICHITA FALLS TX  77  66  76  57 /  70  70  50  60
GAGE OK           64  52  62  47 / 100  70  20  20
PONCA CITY OK     69  58  66  50 /  40  90  50  10
DURANT OK         80  68  80  59 /  30  60  50  50

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING
     FOR OKZ007-008-012-013-017>019-023>025-027>029.

     FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR OKZ009-010-014-015-
     021-033-045.

     FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR OKZ016-022-034>039-044.

TX...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR TXZ083-084-087>090.

     FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR TXZ085-086.

&&

17/04/23

Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 8:48 AM CST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
948 AM CDT TUE MAY 19 2015

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-201445-
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-
948 AM CDT TUE MAY 19 2015

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN...
WESTERN...CENTRAL...AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA...AND WESTERN NORTH
TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

.THUNDERSTORMS...
THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS SOUTHWEST
OKLAHOMA AND ALL OF WESTERN NORTH TEXAS THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING.

LOCATION...
THE SLIGHT RISK AREA IS GENERALLY SOUTH OF A LINE EXTENDING
FROM MANGUM TO DUNCAN TO ARDMORE IN OKLAHOMA. WICHITA FALLS...
LAWTON...VERNON AND SEYMOUR TEXAS ARE IN THE SLIGHT RISK
AREA.

A MARGINAL RISK COVERS THE REST OF OKLAHOMA SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE-40.

TIMING...
MAINLY 2 PM TO 10 PM TODAY IN THE SLIGHT AND MARGINAL
RISK AREAS

MAIN IMPACTS...
HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF GOLFBALLS...
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS 60 TO 70 MPH...
FLOODING RAINFALL...
A FEW TORNADOES...

DISCUSSION...
THE SETUP FOR SEVERE STORMS REMAINS UNCERTAIN TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A FEW STRONG STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS MORNING ACROSS WESTERN
NORTH TEXAS AND FAR SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA. THESE STORMS MAY PRODUCE
HEAVY RAINFALL AND LOCALIZED FLOODING...HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF
NICKELS...AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING.

STRONGER STORMS...SOME OF WHICH MAY BECOME SEVERE...MAY AFFECT
THE SLIGHT AND MARGINAL RISK AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

A FEW SUPERCELLS MAY FORM OVER WESTERN NORTH TEXAS AND SOUTHERN
OKLAHOMA NEAR AND SOUTH OF A WARM FRONT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
DUE TO STRONG SHEAR AND SOME INSTABILITY. IF SUPERCELLS FORM...
THEY WOULD BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...
AS WELL AS TORNADOES DUE TO INCREASING LOW LEVEL SHEAR.

CLUSTERS OR LINES OF STORMS MAY FORM LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING ACROSS THE SLIGHT AND MARGINAL RISK AREAS WITH LARGE HAIL
AND DAMAGING WINDS AS THE MAIN HAZARDS. ALTHOUGH STORMS MAY CONTINUE
BEYOND 10 PM THIS EVENING...THE SEVERE POTENTIAL IS EXPECTED TO
DECREASE...THOUGH SOME STRONG STORMS WITH SMALL HAIL...GUSTY WINDS...
AND HEAVY RAINFALL MAY CONTINUE.

.SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STATEMENT...
STORM SPOTTER GROUPS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL ACROSS THE
RISK AREAS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

.RIVER FLOODING...
SOME RIVERS AND STREAMS WILL REMAIN IN FLOOD...ESPECIALLY ACROSS
SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHERN TEXAS. DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS
WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

.THUNDERSTORMS...
A COLD FRONT WILL PUSH ACROSS OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS ON
WEDNESDAY. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE NEAR
THE FRONT ACROSS WESTERN NORTH TEXAS AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA.

STORM CHANCES CONTINUE THURSDAY THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK...WITH
THE HIGHEST CHANCES FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. SEVERE STORMS APPEAR
POSSIBLE EACH DAY.

.FLOODING...
SOME RIVERS WILL REMAIN IN OR NEAR FLOOD INTO NEXT WEEKEND. DO
NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. ADDITIONAL RAINS
THROUGH THE WEEK AND WEEKEND WILL EXACERBATE THE FLOODING
PROBLEMS.

GET GRAPHICS AND MORE DETAILS AT WEATHER.GOV/NORMAN...AND FOLLOW
OUR WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

MBS

The radar

The Norman radar (KTLX), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 flash flood, 13 thunderstorm wind, 10 tornado, 9 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When: May 19, 10:02 AM CST
Where: Carter County, Ardmore
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.170, -97.140

Utility poles downed at 10th avenue and Bailey street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grady

When: May 19, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Grady County, 2.07 mi S of Middleberg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.080, -97.740

Outbuildings were damaged. Time estimated from radar.

Hail, Garvin

When: May 19, 1:03 PM CST
Where: Garvin County, 2.76 mi S of Lindsay
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.800, -97.610

Thunderstorm Wind, Harmon

When: May 19, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Harmon County, 4.15 mi N of Madge
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.960, -99.960

No damage reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: May 19, 1:40 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 2.15 mi NNE of Norman
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 35.250, -97.430

Large tree limb downed.

Tornado, McClain

When: May 19, 1:40 PM CST
Where: McClain County, 9 mi W of Wayne
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.920, -97.479

A brief tornado was observed by a storm chaser via spotternetwork. No damage was reported and the location was estimated.

Tornado, McClain

When: May 19, 1:51 PM CST
Where: McClain County, 5 mi SW of Purcell
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.959, -97.433

Live coverage from helicopters of OKC television stations showed a brief tornado develop southwest of Purcell. No damage was reported and the location is estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kiowa

When: May 19, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Kiowa County, Lone Wolf
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 34.990, -99.250

Post office employee reported several large 4 to 6 inch tree limbs down in town. Time matched to radar.

Tornado, Cleveland

When: May 19, 2:22 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 4 mi ENE of Lexington
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 35.032, -97.275

A meteorologist with the National Severe Storms Laboratory observed a brief tornado estimated to be 4 miles east-northeast of Lexington. This tornado produced no known damage.

Tornado, Tillman

When: May 19, 2:54 PM CST to 3:04 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 4 mi WSW of Grandfield to 3 mi WSW of Grandfield
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.208, -98.755

Numerous storm chasers observed a large, multiple-vortex tornado to the west-southwest of Grandfield. Despite the size of the tornado, no damage was reported to the NWS.

Tornado, Pottawatomie

When: May 19, 3:19 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie County, 4 mi NW of Macomb
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.191, -97.060

Numerous spotters and law-enforcement officers reported a brief tornado in the Macomb/Brooksville area. The tornado was estimated to have occurred about 4 miles northwest of Macomb based on triangulation of the reports. No damage was reported.

Flash Flood, Tillman

When: May 19, 3:32 PM CST to 6:32 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 5.72 mi NE of Loveland to 2.9 mi ENE of Loveland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.350, -98.690

Water over Highway 36.

Flash Flood, Tillman

When: May 19, 3:49 PM CST to 6:49 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 1.11 mi NW of Grandfield to 1.02 mi NE of Grandfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.243, -98.702

Street flooding throughout town.

Hail, Stephens

When: May 19, 4:26 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, Corum
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.360, -98.100

Flash Flood, Caddo

When: May 19, 4:32 PM CST to 7:32 PM CST
Where: Caddo County, Anadarko to 3.28 mi S of Anadarko
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.080, -98.240

Highway 62 on the east side of Anadarko submerged in several inches of running water.

Hail, Stephens

When: May 19, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, Empire City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.420, -98.040

No damage reported.

Hail, Stephens

When: May 19, 4:37 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, 3.5 mi N of Empire City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.470, -98.050

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 19, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.29 mi W of Ryan
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.020, -97.990

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 19, 5:16 PM CST to 5:19 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4 mi NNW of Terral
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 33.953, -97.967

Multiple storm chasers reported a tornado estimated to be 4 miles north-northwest of Terral. No damage was reported.

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 19, 5:23 PM CST to 5:31 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4 mi SSE of Ryan
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.967, -97.923

Spotters and chasers reported a tornado east of US-81 approximately 4 miles south-southeast of Ryan. No damage was reported.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: May 19, 5:37 PM CST to 8:37 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.56 mi WNW of Ryan to 1.02 mi SSW of Ryan
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.031, -97.974

Up to two feet of water over Highway 81 near Ryan.

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 19, 5:40 PM CST to 5:44 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 8 mi ESE of Ryan to 7 mi WSW of Grady
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 33.976, -97.821

Storm spotters and chasers reported a tornado estimated to have moved from about 4 miles west of Oscar to 2 miles west-northwest of Oscar. No damage was reported.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 6:33 PM CST to 9:33 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.98 mi WSW of Norman to 2.11 mi SW of Norman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.205, -97.470

Flooding at Lindsey and McGee street.

Flash Flood, Grady

When: May 19, 6:33 PM CST to 9:33 PM CST
Where: Grady County, 3.66 mi ENE of Middleberg to 4.02 mi E of Middleberg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.130, -97.680

Area streets flooded in and around Blanchard.

Flash Flood, Grady

When: May 19, 6:37 PM CST to 9:37 PM CST
Where: Grady County, 1.73 mi SW of Chickasha Arpt to 1.16 mi E of Chickasha Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.059, -97.987

Social media report of street flooding in and around Chickasha.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 6:50 PM CST to 9:50 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.96 mi W of Norman to 1.99 mi W of Norman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.221, -97.475

Water rescue at Main street and Merkle drive. No injuries reported.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 7:04 PM CST to 10:04 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.48 mi WSW of Norman to 1.82 mi W of Norman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.215, -97.465

Water rescue at Melrose drive and Garrison drive.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 7:08 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.69 mi S of (Oun)norman Westheimer Arpt to 1.68 mi WNW of Norman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.226, -97.470

Water rescue at Iowa street and Sherry avenue from stalled vehicle.

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 7:10 PM CST to 9:10 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, Noble to 0.55 mi NNE of Noble
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.140, -97.390

Water over roadway at Etowah road and Highway 77.

Thunderstorm Wind, Murray

When: May 19, 7:13 PM CST
Where: Murray County, 1.49 mi SSW of Sulphur
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 34.490, -96.980

National park service reported several 4 to 6 inch tree limbs down across Chickasaw NRA.

Flash Flood, McClain

When: May 19, 7:22 PM CST to 9:22 PM CST
Where: McClain County, 1.66 mi SSE of Newcastle to 2.02 mi SE of Newcastle
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.229, -97.586

High water closed the 1800 block of Portland avenue.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 19, 7:44 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.57 mi E of Cornish
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.160, -97.590

Flash Flood, Cleveland

When: May 19, 7:44 PM CST to 10:44 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.75 mi WSW of Norman to 1.85 mi WSW of Norman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.214, -97.470

Water rescue at intersection of Boyd street and McGee in stalled vehicle.

Hail, Harmon

When: May 19, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Harmon County, Hollis
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.690, -99.920

No damage reported.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: May 19, 7:50 PM CST to 10:50 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.62 mi NE of Grady to 9.35 mi NNW of Ringling
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.044, -97.634

Portions of Highway 89 underwater and impassable.

Tornado, Carter

When: May 19, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Carter County, 8 mi SW of Wilson
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.3 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.078, -97.529

A tornado was observed approximately 8 miles southwest of Wilson. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 19, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.15 mi SSW of Sugden
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.050, -97.990

Power lines damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pottawatomie

When: May 19, 8:25 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie County, 4.98 mi ESE of St Louis
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 35.040, -96.780

Post office employee reports several large tree limbs down and damage to fences along highway 9 between Maud and Konawa. Time estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greer

When: May 19, 8:27 PM CST
Where: Greer County, Granite
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.960, -99.380

No damage reported.

Tornado, Carter

When: May 19, 8:35 PM CST to 8:43 PM CST
Where: Carter County, 5 mi SSE of Wilson to 6 mi SSE of Wilson
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.093, -97.397

A tornado was observed south-southeast of Wilson. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kiowa

When: May 19, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Kiowa County, Lone Wolf
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 34.990, -99.250

Post office employee reported several 4 to 6 inch tree limbs down. Time estimated by radar.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 19, 8:42 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 9.84 mi ESE of Addington
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.170, -97.820

Hail, Carter

When: May 19, 9:14 PM CST
Where: Carter County, 3.64 mi SSW of Ardmore
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.120, -97.160

Thunderstorm Wind, Pottawatomie

When: May 19, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie County, 6.8 mi SE of St Louis
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 34.990, -96.790

Post office employee reported one large tree down over 1410 road northwest of lake Konawa, along with several large tree limbs down across the Konawa area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Seminole

When: May 19, 9:20 PM CST
Where: Seminole County, 2.68 mi NE of Konawa
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Post Office
Coordinates: 34.990, -96.720

Large tree down on 1410 road, with other large branches downed across the county.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: May 19, 9:26 PM CST to May 20, 12:26 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.4 mi NW of Altus to 1.47 mi W of (Lts)altus Afb
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.652, -99.350

Two vehicles off the road along Highway 171 and 283 due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Carter

When: May 19, 9:30 PM CST to May 20, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Carter County, 5.28 mi NW of Lone Grove to 5.92 mi SSW of Gene Autry
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.240, -97.317

Numerous streets flooded in and around the Lone Grove and Ardmore areas.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When: May 19, 10:02 PM CST
Where: Carter County, Ardmore
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 34.170, -97.140

Utility poles downed at 10th ave and Bailey street.

Flash Flood, Hughes

When: May 19, 10:50 PM CST to May 20, 1:50 AM CST
Where: Hughes County, 2.81 mi NW of Holdenville to 2.24 mi NE of Holdenville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.109, -96.435

Numerous roads impassable due to flooding. One high water rescue with a stalled car.

Flash Flood, Atoka

When: May 20, 2:00 AM CST to 5:00 AM CST
Where: Atoka County, 2.04 mi WNW of Stringtown to 3.46 mi NE of Stringtown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.483, -96.082

Heavy rain resulted in widespread street flooding. Small creeks and streams also running out of their banks.

Flash Flood, McClain

When: May 20, 3:00 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: McClain County, Cole to 0.95 mi E of Cole
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.100, -97.570

News 9 reports high water swept a vehicle into Walnut Creek near Cole. Some individuals were successfully rescued, but one man was unable to escape and ultimately perished in the flood waters. The vehicle was swept away near Highway 74B and May Ave north of Cole.

Flash Flood, Comanche

When: May 20, 3:00 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Comanche County, (Fsi)fort Sill to 3.5 mi S of (Fsi)fort Sill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.670, -98.380

A man was swept away while attempting to take a vehicle across a low water crossing. The man's body was not found until several days later well downstream. The vehicle was swept into Medicine Creek at Fort Sill.

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, McClain	2015-05-20	56	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct
Flash Flood, Comanche	2015-05-20	32	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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, May 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: 580421, 580422, 580423, 580424, 580425, 584346, 584347, 580426, 584352, 584357, 584359, 581203, 581204, 580427, 581205, 580428, 580429, 580430, 584360, 584361, 581206, 584362, 581207, 581208, 581209, 581210, 581212, 581213, 581214, 580431, 581216, 580432, 581217, 580433, 581220, 584363, 580434, 580435, 580436, 584364, and more.