Flash Flooding and Hail in Oklahoma, October 4, 2023

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Oklahoma, October 4, 2023
Start: 2023-10-04T09:15
End: 2023-10-04T20:30
Location: Oklahoma

October 4, 2023 · NWS OUN · 30 events in 12 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $93,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

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.

A high-amplitude upper trough swept across the Central and Southern Plains on the 4th. The southern branch/maxima of the upper jet provided sufficient synoptic lift that, combined with multiple surface fronts across the area (cold front approaching from northwest with stationary boundary along Red River) aided in widespread strong to severe thunderstorm development in areas along and south of the I-40 corridor. While much of the area remained north of the stationary front during the event, precluding surface-based storm hazards (i.e. wind/tor), strong deep-layer shear and elevated instability still promoted a hail concern with multiple thunderstorms. Early in the event, thunderstorm clusters developing in the warm sector (i.e. along/south of the stationary front) lead to significant wind damage/gusts across portions of southwest Oklahoma (primarily in Tillman County). By the mid to late evening, widespread heavy rainfall, including repeated rounds of heavy convection across southern Oklahoma, lead to reports of flash flooding across these areas.

The radar

The Vance AFB radar (KVNX), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail, 5 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Kay

When: October 4, 9:15 AM CST
Where: Kay County, 5.39 mi W of (Pnc)ponca City Arpt
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.739, -97.197

MPing report. Based on radar evidence, hailfall likely occurred prior (0910 LST) to report time.

Hail, Caddo

When: October 4, 1:56 PM CST
Where: Caddo County, 2.32 mi SSW of Cyril
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.870, -98.219

MPing report.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 2.32 mi SE of Tipton Arpt
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.440, -99.138

Tipton (TIPT) Mesonet observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 2.32 mi SE of Tipton Arpt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.440, -99.138

Tipton (TIPT) Mesonet observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:12 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 5.55 mi SW of Frederick
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.333, -99.088

Relayed image showing silo and machine shed damage at an agricultural facility. Time is radar estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 2.32 mi SE of Tipton Arpt
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.440, -99.138

Tipton (TIPT) Mesonet observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greer

When: October 4, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Greer County, 1.13 mi ENE of Brinkman
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.017, -99.502

Social media image showing multiple power poles snapped along U.S. Highway 283. Time is radar estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:22 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 2.49 mi NNE of Frederick
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 34.425, -99.010

Estimated wind gust.

Hail, Comanche

When: October 4, 2:23 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 2.89 mi E of Pumpkin Center
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.594, -98.159

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:27 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, Hollister
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.340, -98.870

Relayed report. Estimated wind gust.

Hail, Custer

When: October 4, 2:29 PM CST
Where: Custer County, 6.81 mi N of Weatherford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.628, -98.687

MPing report.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 0.42 mi SSW of Frederick Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.344, -98.983

Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDR) observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 0.21 mi ESE of Frederick
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.389, -99.017

Widespread wind damage occurred in the community of Frederick. The most significant damage was near the intersection of South Main Street and Dahlia Avenue, where a large (older) brick building had its roof and exterior walls collapse. Additional damage included a large barn with total roof collapse, numerous large trees/limbs snapped or blown down and sporadic light roof damage. Time is radar estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 1.94 mi SSW of Frederick
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.363, -99.028

Multiple power poles blown down near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and East 1830 Road. Time is radar estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:32 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 0.42 mi SSW of Frederick Arpt
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.344, -98.983

Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDR) observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:38 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 0.42 mi SSW of Frederick Arpt
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.344, -98.983

Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDR) observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tillman

When: October 4, 2:41 PM CST
Where: Tillman County, 0.42 mi SSW of Frederick Arpt
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.344, -98.983

Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDR) observation.

Flash Flood, Stephens

When: October 4, 3:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Stephens County, 4.59 mi S of Comanche to 4.61 mi S of Comanche
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.304, -97.968

Report of a car stalled in floodwaters along U.S. Highway 81 near the community of Comanche.

Flash Flood, Comanche

When: October 4, 3:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 2.83 mi W of Lawton to 3.03 mi E of Lawton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.609, -98.440

Social media image and relayed reports showing flooding in/around the city of Lawton. This included multiple vehicles stalled in floodwaters, mainly along Lee and Gore Boulevards. Time is estimated.

Hail, Comanche

When: October 4, 3:12 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 0.27 mi NNE of Lawton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.614, -98.388

MPing report.

Hail, Comanche

When: October 4, 3:17 PM CST
Where: Comanche County, 1.34 mi SSE of Lawton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.594, -98.377

MPing report.

Hail, McClain

When: October 4, 3:27 PM CST
Where: McClain County, 3 mi NNW of Newcastle
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.291, -97.618

Hail, Cleveland

When: October 4, 3:37 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 2.7 mi SW of Moore
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.311, -97.522

MPing report.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: October 4, 3:43 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.19 mi SW of (Oun)norman Westheimer Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.236, -97.483

Social media image showing a large tree blown over onto a car. Time is estimated from radar and wind gust observation at nearby Max Westheimer Airport (KOUN) AWOS.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: October 4, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 0.45 mi S of (Oun)norman Westheimer Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.243, -97.471

Norman/Max Westheimer Airport (KOUN) observation.

Hail, Cleveland

When: October 4, 3:49 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 1.15 mi SSW of (Oun)norman Westheimer Arpt
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.236, -97.481

MPing report.

Hail, Cleveland

When: October 4, 3:57 PM CST
Where: Cleveland County, 6.07 mi W of Lake Thunderbird Dam
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.227, -97.327

MPing report.

Flash Flood, Garvin

When: October 4, 4:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Garvin County, 0.25 mi WNW of Pauls Valley to 0.13 mi N of Pauls Valley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.742, -97.224

Relayed video showing street flooding, including at least one vehicle stalled in floodwaters, near the Grant Street and South Chickasaw Street intersection. Time is estimated.

Flash Flood, Carter

When: October 4, 4:30 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Carter County, 0.34 mi NNE of Ardmore to 0.34 mi ENE of Ardmore
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.175, -97.138

Report of several feet of water on roadways with multiple vehicles stalled in the city of Ardmore. Time is estimated.

Flash Flood, Pontotoc

When: October 4, 5:30 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where: Pontotoc County, 0.56 mi WNW of Ada to 1.28 mi E of Ada
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.775, -96.688

Report of flash flooding across the southern portions of the city of Ada. Time is estimated.

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.
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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, October 2023

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1139792, 1139799, 1139800, 1139801, 1143898, 1139802, 1139803, 1139804, 1139808, 1139805, 1139811, 1139809, 1143897, 1143899, 1139806, 1139807, 1139810, 1143886, 1143896, 1140778, 1140779, 1140780, 1142117, 1143881, 1140781, 1142132, 1144041, 1143334, 1144039, 1144040.