Oklahoma, 2019Flooding in Oklahoma, May 20 to 31, 2019
May 20 to 31, 2019 · NWS TSA · 21 events in 11 counties and zones
A persistently active weather pattern, consisting of a deep trough over the western U. S.
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
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 21
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.
A persistently active weather pattern, consisting of a deep trough over the western U. S. and ridging along the Gulf Coast and southeastern U. S., set the stage for numerous rounds of rainfall across the Southern Plains from May 18th through the end of the month. The atmospheric moisture remained unseasonably high during this period, resulting in very efficient rainfall-producing showers and thunderstorms. Antecedent conditions from the rainfall earlier this month and at the end of April meant that soil moisture was already high, and any additional rainfall would quickly become runoff. Antecedent river and lake levels were also above normal ahead of this active storm period. Six to sixteen inches of rain fell between May 18th and May 30th along and northwest of a line from near Okmulgee, OK to near Bentonville, AR, and three to five inches of rain fell southeast of this line. Widespread ten to sixteen inch amounts fell across portions of southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma. During this period, six USACE Tulsa District flood control reservoirs set new pools of record in northeastern Oklahoma: Kaw, Keystone, Skiatook, Birch, Oologah, and Hudson Lakes.
The result was 31 river floods at 22 river forecast points in eastern Oklahoma. There was a total of 54 crests during those 31 floods, two of which were new records (Arkansas River near Ponca City, and Bird Creek at Avant), and 25 of which were crests in the major flood category. Fourteen of the 31 floods lasted seven days or more; eleven lasted ten days or more; two lasted fourteen days or more; and one lasted 21 days or more. The Arkansas River near Muskogee was above flood stage the longest at approximately 22 days and 5 hours, and was also above the major flood category the longest at approximately 13 days and 12 hours.
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 May 20, 5:49 PM CST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 5:49 PM CST, 56 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
649 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
.AVIATION...
CONCERNING TAF SITES KTUL/KRVS/KBVO/KMLC/KXNA/KFYV/KFSM/KROG.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms will occur at the northeast
Oklahoma sites overnight, with more isolated convection elsewhere.
A squall line will then sweep through the area Tuesday morning
into early afternoon. Mainly MVFR to low VFR conditions will
prevail, with some lower conditions in storms. All sites will
become VFR later Tuesday afternoon. LLWS will be mentioned at KFSM
overnight into Tuesday morning.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 231 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019/
..A few strong tornadoes possible this afternoon/evening...
..Significant flash flooding likely across NE OK into tonight...
DISCUSSION...
Warm front currently located near a Drumright, Bixby, Inola line.
Elevated strong convection continues north of the front with
mainly a large hail/heavy rainfall threat. Atmosphere is very
unstable along and south of boundary and a few isolated supercells
are still expected to develop near warm front and/or south in the
warm sector. All modes of severe weather are possible, including
a few strong tornadoes. In addition, very heavy rainfall expected
in the stronger storms overnight with a significant flooding
threat, especially north of I-44 and west of highway 75. Numerous
rivers are forecast to go into flood based on the forecast
rainfall amounts expected through Tuesday across the northern
basins.
Thunderstorms over western/central Oklahoma should become more
linear with time overnight, moving into eastern Oklahoma late
tonight. Very strong low level wind fields are expected and QLCS
tornadoes and damaging downburst winds will remain possible. The
severe threat will likely persist as convective line pushes east
into far eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas during the day
Tuesday with additional surface heating. The main thunderstorm
line is forecast to move east of northwest Arkansas by mid
afternoon with the severe threat ending.
Strong upper high will build over the southeast CONUS mid to late
week. Short waves embedded in stronger southwest flow aloft will
continue to support scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the
best chance remaining over northeast Oklahoma.
&&
.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday evening for OKZ054>074.
AR...Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday evening for ARZ001-002-010-011.
&&
AVIATION.....05
Hazardous weather outlook, May 20, 3:58 PM CST, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
458 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-211030-
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-
458 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...Significant Severe Weather Likely Including Strong Tornadoes...
...Life Threatening Flooding Possible This Evening and Overnight...
This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.
TORNADO.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...West of Highway 75 in eastern Oklahoma.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
RISK...Significant.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
FLASH FLOOD.
RISK...Elevated.
AREA...Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
HEAVY RAIN.
RISK...Critical.
AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
ONSET...Ongoing.
AREA AT GREATEST RISK...North of I-40 .
DISCUSSION...
Conditions remain favorable for significant severe weather
including the potential for strong or violent tornadoes and
damaging winds. Supercell storms have developed across western and
central Oklahoma this afternoon, and these storms will build into
eastern Oklahoma early this evening. These storms may interact
with a stationary boundary from near Miami to Pawnee in northeast
Oklahoma, which will enhance the tornadic potential. The risk of
supercells will continue into the evening hours and possibly
spread eastward through western Arkansas. A brief lull in severe
weather is possible toward the early morning hours on Tuesday,
however a line of storms is expected to re-intensify while
spreading eastward. This line of storms is likely to move into
eastern Oklahoma after 3 AM with potential for leading edge
tornadoes and locally damaging winds.
Significant flooding is likely to develop through tonight,
especially across portions of eastern Oklahoma. Flash flooding
will develop quickly due to the saturated soils, and there remains
potential for life threatening flooding across portions of
northeast Oklahoma where recent excessive rains have fallen.
SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Expected.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.
TUESDAY...Severe Thunderstorm Potential...High Wind Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
Severe weather is likely to be ongoing Tuesday morning as the
line of storms advances eastward. The risk for tornadoes and
locally damaging winds will continue. Any additional heavy
rainfall will further worsen any ongoing flooding. Flooded
roadways are likely to remain an issue for several days as waters
will be slow to recede. Thunderstorm chances continue through the
week, however an organized severe weather threat is not apparent
at this time.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING STATEMENT...
Weather warnings highlighting significant severe potential
are likely this evening. The severe weather risk will remain
present through Tuesday morning.
weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 20, 1:58 PM CST, 4 hours 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
258 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
OKZ057-058-061>063-202030-
Craig OK-Rogers OK-Delaware OK-Ottawa OK-Mayes OK-
258 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN CRAIG...EAST CENTRAL
ROGERS...NORTHWESTERN DELAWARE...SOUTHWESTERN OTTAWA AND NORTHWESTERN
MAYES COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...
At 258 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles northwest of
Pryor, moving northeast at 55 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations in or near the path include...
Vinita... Pryor...
Pryor Creek... Afton...
Adair... Bernice...
Ketchum... Bluejacket...
Big Cabin... Pensacola...
Cleora... White Oak...
Bernice State Park... Strang...
Pyramid Corners...
This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 254 and 296.
LAT...LON 3666 9486 3622 9536 3634 9553 3683 9513
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 218DEG 50KT 3635 9539
Lacy
Special weather statement, May 20, 2:28 PM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
328 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
ARZ010-019-OKZ069-072-202100-
Washington AR-Crawford AR-Adair OK-Sequoyah OK-
328 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN CRAWFORD...
SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...NORTHEASTERN SEQUOYAH AND SOUTHERN ADAIR
COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM CDT...
At 327 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Brushy, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations in or near the path include...
Sallisaw... Stilwell...
Westville... Marble City...
Brushy... Adair State Park...
Strickler... Maryetta...
Blackburn... Brushy Lake State Park...
Bunch... Baron...
Clyde... Canehill...
Odell... Morrow...
LAT...LON 3583 9419 3544 9470 3553 9491 3564 9483
3564 9481 3568 9481 3600 9458
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 217DEG 49KT 3556 9473
LacySpecial weather statement, May 20, 3:01 PM CST, 3 hours 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
401 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
ARZ001-010-OKZ069-202130-
Benton AR-Washington AR-Adair OK-
401 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL BENTON...WESTERN
WASHINGTON AND SOUTHEASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 401 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles south of
Stilwell, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations in or near the path include...
Fayetteville... Stilwell...
Farmington... Prairie Grove...
Lincoln... Greenland...
Adair State Park... Drake Field Airport...
Prairie Grove Battlefield State...
Walnut Grove...
Savoy... Clyde...
Wedington... Rhea...
Canehill... Hogeye...
Summers... Morrow...
Wheeler... Viney Grove...
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 56 and 64.
LAT...LON 3577 9445 3576 9446 3576 9449 3573 9449
3567 9457 3574 9473 3620 9437 3604 9410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 213DEG 31KT 3576 9461
LacySpecial weather statement, May 20, 4:48 PM CST, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
548 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
ARZ001-010-202345-
Benton AR-Washington AR-
548 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL BENTON AND NORTHWESTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM CDT...
At 548 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles northwest of
Prairie Grove, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations in or near the path include...
Fayetteville... Springdale...
Rogers... Bentonville...
Bella Vista... Lowell...
Farmington... Pea Ridge...
Prairie Grove... Tontitown...
Bethel Heights... Lincoln...
Cave Springs... Highfill...
Garfield... Gateway...
Northwest Arkansas Regional Air...
Miller...
Centerton... Johnson...
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 62 and 93.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
Arkansas.
LAT...LON 3589 9433 3598 9452 3650 9424 3650 9387
3647 9387
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 208DEG 33KT 3601 9438
69Special weather statement, May 20, 4:51 PM CST, 1 hour 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
551 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
ARZ010-011-019-020-202345-
Madison AR-Washington AR-Franklin AR-Crawford AR-
551 PM CDT Mon May 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN MADISON...
NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN...NORTHEASTERN CRAWFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN
WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM CDT...
At 551 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles southeast of
Fern, moving north at 30 mph.
Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations in or near the path include...
Ozark... Huntsville...
St. Paul... Wesley...
Cass... Saint Paul...
Aurora... Japton...
Fern... Goshen...
Georgetown... Jethro...
Bidville... Crosses...
Combs... Turners Bend...
Lonelm... Tuttle...
Barnes... Mayfield...
This includes Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 29 and
34.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
and west central Arkansas.
LAT...LON 3551 9385 3555 9406 3616 9397 3610 9364
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 191DEG 27KT 3561 9394
69
Local storm report, May 20, 6:37 PM CST, 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
737 PM CDT MON MAY 20 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0734 PM FLASH FLOOD PAWNEE 36.34N 96.80W
05/20/2019 PAWNEE OK BROADCAST MEDIA
REPORTED VIA TWITTER
&&
LACYFlood, Ottawa
- When
- May 20, 6:45 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Ottawa County, 11.28 mi WNW of North Miami to 3.57 mi NW of North Miami
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.981, -95.070
The Neosho River near Commerce rose above its flood stage of 15 feet at 7:45 pm on May 20th. The river crested at 25.51 feet at 10:00 am CDT on the 24th, crested again at 25.33 feet at 11:00 am CDT on the 25th, and crested a third time at 24.43 feet at 7:00 pm CDT on the 29th. Each crest resulted in major flooding. The crest at 25.51 feet was the fifth highest crest on record. Widespread and damaging flooding occurred, with homes and businesses on the south side of Miami flooded. Multiple roads were closed, including Highway 125 south of Miami. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained in flood through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 7:30 am CDT on June 6th.
Flood, Pawnee
- When
- May 20, 7:30 PM CST to May 24, 12:00 PM CST
- Where
- Pawnee County, 1.7 mi WNW of Pawnee to 0.95 mi N of Pawnee
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.342, -96.826
Black Bear Creek near Pawnee rose above its flood stage of 17 feet at 8:30 pm CDT on May 20th. The river crested at 26.18 feet at 7:00 pm CDT on the 21st, resulting in major flooding. This was the eighth highest crest on record. Severe flooding occurred from west of Pawnee to the river's confluence with the Arkansas River. Some homes were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river crested a second time at 23.87 feet at 3:00 am CDT on the 23rd, resulting in moderate flooding. The river fell below flood stage at 1:00 pm CDT on the 24th.
Flood, Osage
- When
- May 20, 8:30 PM CST to May 22, 7:00 AM CST
- Where
- Osage County, 3.92 mi ESE of Avant to 4.61 mi ENE of Avant
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.462, -96.003
Bird Creek near Avant rose above its flood stage of 17 feet at 9:30 pm CDT on May 20th. The river crested at 36.52 feet at 12:00 pm CDT on the 21st, resulting in record flooding. Severely damaging flooding occurred from Barnsdall to Skiatook. Homes were flooded and expansive agricultural flooding occurred. Highway 11 was closed between Avant and Skiatook. Monetary damage as a result of the flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 8:00 am CDT on the 22nd.
Flood, Pawnee
- When
- May 20, 9:45 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Pawnee County, 4.75 mi NW of Ralston to 2.1 mi N of Ralston
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.557, -96.768
The Arkansas River near Ralston rose above its flood stage of 16 feet at 10:45 pm CDT on May 20th. The river crested at 19.26 feet at 4:00 pm CDT on the 21st, resulting in moderate flooding. The river crested a second time at 22.14 feet at 6:00 am CDT on the 23rd, resulting in major flooding. This crest was the seventh highest stage on record. The river crested a third time at 21.99 feet at 6:30 am CDT on the 25th, and a fourth time at 22.03 feet at 7:15 am CDT on the 26th, both of which resulted in major flooding. Severe agricultural flooding occurred, and county roads were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 2:00 am CDT on June 1st.
Flood, Tulsa
- When
- May 20, 11:15 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Tulsa County, 3.64 mi NNE of Collinsville to 0.52 mi NNE of Collinsville
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.422, -95.816
The Caney River near Collinsville rose above its flood stage of 26 feet at 12:15 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 33.05 feet at 2:45 pm CDT on the 21st, and crested a second time 37.12 feet at 6:15 pm CDT on the 23rd, both crests resulting in major flooding. The crest of 37.12 feet was the third highest crest on record. Very severe flooding occurred from Collinsville to areas downstream, with extensive farmland flooding, homes northeast of Collinsville flooded, and roads near the river flooded. The river crested a third time at 33.31 feet at 9:45 am CDT on the 26th, which resulted in major flooding, and a fourth and final time at 32.74 feet at 8:30 am CDT on the 30th, which resulted in moderate flooding. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 6:15 pm CDT on June 2nd.
Flood, Washington
- When
- May 20, 11:30 PM CST to May 24, 10:30 AM CST
- Where
- Washington County, 1.12 mi NNE of Bartlesville to 1.26 mi SW of Hi Way Arpt
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.765, -95.991
The Caney River near Bartlesville rose above its flood stage of 13 feet at 12:30 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 18.21 feet at 5:45 pm CDT on the 21st, and crested again at 16.06 feet at 10:00 am CDT on the 23rd, both resulting in moderate flooding. Serious flooding occurred in Johnstone Park and in residential areas of Bartlesville. Tuxedo Boulevard, Hillcrest Drive, and portions of Adams Road were closed along with other county roads. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 11:30 am CDT on the 24th.
Flood, Ottawa
- When
- May 20, 11:45 PM CST to May 27, 9:45 AM CST
- Where
- Ottawa County, 2.7 mi ESE of Hockerville to 1 mi NNW of Peoria
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.987, -94.734
The Spring River near Quapaw rose above its flood stage of 20 feet at 12:45 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 33.82 feet at 5:30 pm CDT on the 23rd, resulting in major flooding. Agricultural land and county roads were flooded to a depth of several feet. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 10:45 am CDT on the 27th.
Flood, Tulsa
- When
- May 21, 12:15 AM CST to May 27, 12:45 PM CST
- Where
- Tulsa County, 2.55 mi ESE of Turley to 2.76 mi S of Owasso
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.240, -95.926
Bird Creek near Owasso rose above its flood stage of 18 feet at 1:15 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 29.84 feet at 1:30 am CDT on the 23rd, resulting in major flooding, then crested again at 20.31 feet at 9:30 am CDT on the 26th, resulting in moderate flooding. The crest of 29.84 feet was the fourth highest crest on record. Disastrous flooding occurred from north Tulsa to Catoosa. Homes and businesses were flooded. Mingo Road and other county roads were closed. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 1:45 pm CDT on the 27th.
Flood, Tulsa
- When
- May 21, 12:30 AM CST to May 24, 7:00 PM CST
- Where
- Tulsa County, 3.01 mi ESE of Turley to 1.42 mi ENE of Skiatook
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.236, -95.919
Bird Creek near Sperry rose above its flood stage of 21 feet at 1:30 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 31.29 feet at 2:30 am CDT on the 22nd, resulting in major flooding, then crested again at 28.14 feet at 2:00 am CDT on the 24th, resulting in moderate flooding. Very serious flooding occurred from Skiatook to Turley. Some homes and businesses were flooded on the east side of Skiatook. Highways 11 and 20 near Skiatook were closed, as were other county roads. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 8:00 pm CDT on the 24th.
Flood, Nowata
- When
- May 21, 1:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Nowata County, 2.65 mi SE of Lenapah to 5.19 mi N of Lenapah
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.820, -95.600
The Verdigris River near Lenapah rose above its flood stage of 30 feet at 2:00 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 36.02 feet at 12:30 pm CDT on the 22nd, crested at 36.66 feet at 1:30 am CDT on the 24th, and crested a third time at 37.44 feet at 4:45 pm CDT on the 28th, each crest resulting in major flooding. The third crest was the eighth highest stage on record. Severe agricultural flooding occurred, and many county roads were flooded, including Highway 10 east of Lenapah. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 7:15 am CDT on June 1st.
Flood, Washington
- When
- May 21, 2:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Washington County, 3.69 mi E of Vera to 0.94 mi SSE of Oglesby
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.449, -95.814
The Caney River near Ramona rose above its flood stage of 26 feet at 3:00 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 29.59 feet at 3:45 am CDT on the 23rd, crested at 28.09 feet at 4:30 am CDT on the 26th, and crested a third time at 28.12 feet at 10:15 pm CDT on the 29th, each crest resulting in moderate flooding. Severe flooding occurred between Ochelata and the northeastern tip of Tulsa County, and rural roads were closed between Ramona and Talala. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 1:15 am CDT on June 1st.
Flood, Muskogee
- When
- May 21, 2:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Muskogee County, 4.07 mi NE of Taft to 0.65 mi NE of Muskogee
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 35.816, -95.485
The Arkansas River near Muskogee rose above its flood stage of 28 feet at 3:00 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 46.39 feet at 9:00 am CDT on the 26th, and crested a second time 46.00 feet at 7:30 am CDT on the 30th, both crests resulting in major flooding. The crest of 46.39 feet was the second highest crest on record, and the crest at 46.00 feet was the third highest crest on record. Very severe flooding occurred from Muskogee to Webbers Falls. Homes and businesses were flooded, and numerous roads were closed. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, crested again at 32.63 feet at 3:15 pm CDT on June 7th, and then finally fell below flood stage at 7:30 am CDT on June 12th.
Flood, Creek
- When
- May 21, 3:00 AM CST to May 22, 9:30 AM CST
- Where
- Creek County, 1.51 mi SSE of Sapulpa to 1.71 mi ESE of Sapulpa
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 35.981, -96.086
Polecat Creek near Sapulpa rose above its flood stage of 21 feet at 4:00 am CDT on May 21st. The river crested at 28.00 feet at 4:00 pm CDT on the 21st, resulting in moderate flooding. Severe agricultural flooding occurred, and oil fields and county roads were flooded between Sapulpa and Jenks. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 10:30 am CDT on the 22nd.
Flood, Tulsa
- When
- May 21, 11:30 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Tulsa County, 0.69 mi NNE of Prattville to 0.86 mi SE of Prattville
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Deaths
- 2 direct, 0 indirect
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.129, -96.114
The Arkansas River near Tulsa rose above its flood stage of 18 feet at 12:30 am CDT on May 22nd. The river crested at 23.41 feet at 3:00 pm CDT on the 29th, resulting in major flooding. This was the second highest crest on record. Severe flooding occurred along the Arkansas River in Tulsa County, with some homes in south Tulsa and Bixby flooded. Riverside Drive in Tulsa was closed in places. A man fell into the river in Tulsa on the 26th, and another waded into the river. Both men drowned. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 6:30 am CDT on June 1st.
Flood, Okmulgee
- When
- May 21, 11:30 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Okmulgee County, 2.93 mi NNW of Nuyaka to 2.49 mi WSW of Beggs
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 35.687, -96.155
The Deep Fork River near Beggs rose above its flood stage of 18 feet at 12:30 am CDT on May 22nd. The river crested at 26.01 feet at 6:45 pm CDT on the 26th, and then crested again at 23.44 feet at 4:00 am CDT on the 31st. Both crests resulted in moderate flooding. Agricultural flooding occurred, and county roads were flooded. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 9:30 pm CDT on June 3rd.
Flood, Muskogee
- When
- May 22, 2:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Muskogee County, 2.33 mi N of Haskell to 3.37 mi SSE of Haskell
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 35.854, -95.673
The Arkansas River near Haskell rose above its flood stage of 19 feet at 3:00 am CDT on May 22nd. The river crested at 24.24 feet at 10:15 pm CDT on the 29th, resulting in major flooding. This was the second highest crest on record. Severe agricultural flooding occurred, and county roads were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 9:45 pm CDT on June 1st.
Flood, Osage
- When
- May 22, 11:30 PM CST to May 23, 12:45 PM CST
- Where
- Osage County, 3.92 mi ESE of Avant to 4.61 mi ENE of Avant
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.462, -96.003
Bird Creek near Avant rose above its flood stage of 17 feet at 12:30 am CDT on May 23rd. The river crested at 27.92 feet at 5:30 am CDT on the 23rd, resulting in major flooding. Damaging flooding occurred from Barnsdall to Skiatook. Homes were flooded and agricultural flooding occurred. Portions of Highway 11 were closed between Avant and Skiatook. Monetary damage as a result of the flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 1:45 pm CDT on the 23rd.
Flood, Rogers
- When
- May 23, 1:45 PM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Rogers County, 4.72 mi WNW of Verdigris to 3.98 mi N of Verdigris
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.263, -95.754
The Verdigris River near Claremore rose above its flood stage of 36 feet at 2:45 pm CDT on May 23rd. The river crested at 45.46 feet at 2:00 am CDT on the 27th, and then a second time at 44.69 feet at 7:30 pm CDT on the 30th, both crests resulting in major flooding. Severe flooding occurred between the Oologah Dam and Verdigris, with some homes flooded on the west side of Claremore. Portions of county roads were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 6:00 am CDT on June 3rd.
Flood, Osage
- When
- May 23, 3:00 PM CST to May 30, 8:30 PM CST
- Where
- Osage County, 9.41 mi WSW of Apperson to 9.67 mi WSW of Apperson
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.700, -96.928
The Arkansas River near Ponca City rose above its flood stage of 17 feet at 4:00 pm CDT on May 23rd. The river crested at 22.26 feet at 4:00 pm CDT on the 24th, resulting in record flooding. Significant flooding occurred south of South Avenue in Ponca City and east of 12th Street. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 9:30 pm CDT on the 30th.
Flood, Washington
- When
- May 25, 7:00 AM CST to May 30, 7:30 AM CST
- Where
- Washington County, 1.12 mi NNE of Bartlesville to 1.26 mi SW of Hi Way Arpt
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 36.765, -95.991
The Caney River near Bartlesville rose above its flood stage of 13 feet at 8:00 am CDT on May 25th. The river crested at 17.83 feet at 4:30 am CDT on the 28th, resulting in moderate flooding. Serious flooding occurred in Johnstone Park. Tuxedo Boulevard and Hillcrest Drive were closed, along with other county roads. Monetary damage from this flood is unknown. The river fell below flood stage at 8:30 am CDT on the 30th.
Flood, Le Flore
- When
- May 25, 8:30 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Le Flore County, 0.41 mi SSE of Panco to 1.48 mi W of Tahona
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Official NWS Observations
- Coordinates
- 35.164, -94.678
The Poteau River near Panama rose above its flood stage of 29 feet at 9:30 am CDT on May 25th. The river crested at 36.03 feet at 6:30 pm CDT on the 30th, resulting in moderate flooding. Agricultural land was flooded from near Panama to near Arkoma, and county roads were closed. The river remained above flood stage through the end of May, and finally fell below flood stage at 4:00 pm CDT on June 4th.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Missouri, May 20 to 23, 20193 deaths · 2 injured · $19 million · EF3 · 139 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 20 to 21, 20192 deaths · $534,000 · EF2 · 82 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Texas, May 20 to 21, 20192 injured · $705,000 · EF3 · 45 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Oklahoma, May 20 to 22, 20192 injured · $2.4 million · EF2 · 79 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Kansas, May 20 to 22, 2019$1.1 million · EF1 · 13 events
- Tornadoes and Flood in Texas, May 20 to 21, 2019$360,000 · EF0 · 21 events
- Hail and Winter Weather in California, May 20 to 21, 2019$286,000 · 0.75 in hail · 2 events
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Texas, May 20, 2019EF0 · 42 events
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, May 20 to 23, 2019$10,000 · 1.5 in hail · 31 events
- Flooding in Minnesota, May 20 to 31, 2019$27,000 · 2 events
- Hail in Arkansas, May 20, 2019$25,000 · 1.75 in hail · 3 events
- Flash Flood in Vermont, May 20, 2019$25,000 · 1 event
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: 831525, 831203, 831511, 831182, 831238, 831222, 831537, 831521, 831519, 831212, 831232, 831544, 831207, 831194, 831551, 831199, 831517, 831213, 831169, 831225, 831548.