Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Oklahoma, April 29, 2025

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Oklahoma, April 29, 2025
Start: 2025-04-29T05:35
End: 2025-04-29T09:00
Location: Oklahoma

April 29, 2025 · NWS TSA · 20 events in 7 counties and zones

Strong to severe thunderstorms developed into portions of eastern Oklahoma during the morning hours of the 29th, along and ahead of a cold front moving into the area. Weak instability and strong wind shear combined to allow the storms to become organized, with the strongest producing several tornadoes, large hail up to golf ball size, and damaging wind gusts.

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: $420,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

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.

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 Apr 29, 4:50 AM CST, 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Issued at 550 AM CDT Mon Apr 28 2025
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will impact the entire area today through Thursday morning, bringing severe weather and heavy rainfall. Flash flooding and main-stem river flooding are likely.
Additional storm chances return toward the end of the week before the weather quiets down.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 29, 4:50 AM CST, 45 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
550 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 550 AM CDT Mon Apr 28 2025

  - Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will impact the
    entire area today through Thursday morning, bringing severe
    weather and heavy rainfall. Flash flooding and main-stem river
    flooding are likely.

  - Additional storm chances return toward the end of the week
    before the weather quiets down.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today and Wednesday)
Issued at 256 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

The weather will be quite active over the next couple of days, as
a front drops down into the region and stalls, beneath strong SW
flow aloft ahead of an approaching storm system.

Said front is approaching NE OK early this morning. CAMs have
suggested that storms will develop along the front by daybreak in
the KS border vicinity, and may eventually organize into an
eastward-moving MCS across far northeast OK. Another cluster of
storms across far NW TX is expected to spread northeast into the
forecast area as well during the morning. By midday, the front,
potentially reinforced by outflow may settle down to around I-40,
meaning the afternoon storm development, and main severe potential
will likely be from east-central and southeast OK over into west-
central AR. CAMs suggest that supercells are most likely to
develop farther south and west down over west TX closer to the
triple point this afternoon. This activity may grow upscale into
an MCS that will approach and then potentially spread across our
area Wednesday, ahead of an approaching upper wave. Afternoon and
evening storm development on its southern and eastern flank,
possibly also interacting with the stalled or retreating front,
could result in some high-end severe weather potential.

By Wednesday night, several rounds of storms are expected to
impact the region. EPS total QPF means show a wide swath of 3 to 4
inches over northern portions of the area, while the latest 00Z
and more recently the 06Z HRRR show an axis of heavy rain farther
south and potentially more intense. Widespread 3 to 5 inch rains
with locally heavier totals in spots are likely to result in some
dangerous flash flooding, as well as main-stem river flooding.

Lacy

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday through Monday)
Issued at 256 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

In the wake of the first system, we'll see the upper flow pattern
transition toward ridging to our north and west. As this occurs, a
fast-moving shortwave trough in the NW flow aloft will sweep
across the area Thursday night into Friday, bringing another round
of showers and storms. After this passes, high pressure will
settle into the region, setting up for a pretty pleasant weekend
ahead. Looking beyond the weekend, a lot of uncertainty creeps
into the forecast. The EC has been insistent on setting up an
omega block over the CONUS with some support from the UKMET, with
our area sandwiched between upper lows. The GFS and Canadian have
the western CONUS system basically moving east into the Plains
toward the middle of next week. The model blend had increasing
PoPs toward the very end of this forecast, which looks reasonable
for now.

Lacy

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 544 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

A cold front is moving into northeast OK with a line of
thunderstorms. Additional storms have developed across central OK.
These storms will spread into the NE Oklahoma TAF sites the next
few hours bringing very heavy rain, frequently lightning, gusty
and erratic winds, and potentially hail. These storms will then
affect northwest Arkansas by mid morning. Within the storms
ceilings may fall to 2-3 kft with visibility reductions down to
1-3 SM. Ceilings will likely stay down for northeast Oklahoma
through the TAF period. KMLC and KBVO will not see as much
activity this morning.

Another round of storms will move in during the late afternoon or
evening. All areas may see strong to severe storms, though these
will probably focus across southeast OK and west-central AR. As
before, reductions in ceilings/vis are anticipated. Storm activity
may clear out tonight for a few hours but additional rain/thunder
moves in Wednesday morning. It's worth mentioning that there is
timing and location uncertainty for the items mentioned in this
discussion so check the most recent TAFs for forecast updates
throughout the day.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL   71  61  71  59 /  90  80 100  90
FSM   83  65  80  64 /  50  60  70  90
MLC   80  64  74  61 /  60  60  90  80
BVO   68  57  71  56 /  80  80  90  90
FYV   78  61  77  59 /  70  80  70  90
BYV   77  62  76  61 /  70  70  60  90
MKO   76  62  74  59 /  80  70  90  90
MIO   70  60  72  58 /  90  70  90  90
F10   75  61  71  58 /  80  80 100  90
HHW   82  64  76  63 /  30  30  90  80

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Flood Watch through Thursday morning for OKZ049-053>076.

AR...Flood Watch through Thursday morning for ARZ001-002-010-011-019-
     020-029.

&&

SHORT TERM...30
LONG TERM....30
AVIATION...06

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 29, 3:58 AM CST, 1 hour 37 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
458 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-301000-
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 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

...SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOOD RISK THRU WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
	RISK...Limited.
	AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.
	ONSET...Ongoing.

FLASH FLOOD.
	RISK...Elevated.
	AREA...Northeast Oklahoma and far Northwest Arkansas.
	ONSET...After 7 AM.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms will increase in coverage this morning across
northeast Oklahoma and far northwest Arkansas, with a limited
severe and heavy rain risk. More storms are expected to develop
this afternoon near and behind the front across eastern Oklahoma
into northwest Arkansas, posing a limited severe and elevated
flood risk.

More storms are expected to move into east-central and southeast
Oklahoma tonight from the west, with a limited severe risk and
elevated flood risk.

SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Local Spotter Activation May Be Needed.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.
WEDNESDAY...Thunderstorm...Heavy Rain Potential.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
SATURDAY...No Hazards.
SUNDAY and MONDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...

Another round of storms is expected Wednesday in association with
an approaching upper storm system. Storms along and south of I-40
will have the greatest severe risk, with an elevated flood risk
continuing due to multiple rounds of storms over a couple of days.
Flash and main-stem river flooding are expected.

Another upper disturbance will swing across the Plains Thursday
night into Friday, brining another round of showers and storms.

After a quiet weekend, low thunderstorm chances return mainly
along and west of highway 75 Sunday night and Monday.

weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 29, 4:09 AM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
509 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

OKZ054-059-291100-
Osage OK-Pawnee OK-
509 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN OSAGE AND NORTHWESTERN
PAWNEE COUNTIES THROUGH 600 AM CDT...

At 509 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 3 miles north of Grainola to 3 miles southeast of
Kildare to Billings. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         is possible.

Locations in or near the path include...
Foraker...                        Grainola...
Pearsonia...                      Webb City...
Shidler...                        Apperson...
Burbank...                        Elgin...
Fairfax...                        Kaw Lake...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT for
northeastern Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3700 9601 3678 9635 3647 9689 3647 9703
      3651 9703 3653 9698 3655 9690 3658 9689
      3660 9692 3658 9698 3659 9705 3668 9706
      3670 9703 3668 9694 3675 9689 3674 9683
      3677 9682 3678 9675 3700 9675
TIME...MOT...LOC 1009Z 263DEG 27KT 3699 9664 3678 9699 3653 9745

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, Apr 29, 5:15 AM CST, 20 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
615 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

OKZ064-291145-
Creek OK-
615 AM CDT Tue Apr 29 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CREEK COUNTY
THROUGH 645 AM CDT...

At 615 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Avery, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         is possible.

Locations in or near the path include...
Oilton...                         Silver City...
Drumright...                      Shamrock...
Mannford...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT for
northeastern Oklahoma.

&&

LAT...LON 3616 9662 3616 9630 3608 9630 3608 9619
      3578 9662
TIME...MOT...LOC 1115Z 228DEG 38KT 3585 9677

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The radar

The Tulsa radar (KINX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:35 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 4 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Washington

When: April 29, 5:35 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 3 mi E of Bartlesville
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.750, -95.946

Half dollar size hail damaged homes and vehicles.

Hail, Osage

When: April 29, 5:35 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 0.5 mi SE of Hominy
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.415, -96.394

Hail, Osage

When: April 29, 5:40 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 7.49 mi ENE of Okesa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.770, -96.010

Golf ball size hail damaged vehicles and homes.

Hail, Osage

When: April 29, 5:47 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 6 mi W of Skiatook
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.370, -96.108

Half dollar size hail damaged homes and vehicles.

Hail, Osage

When: April 29, 6:01 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 2 mi S of Avant
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.451, -96.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Tulsa

When: April 29, 6:05 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 2 mi SW of Collinsville
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.349, -95.855

Strong thunderstorm wind damaged the roofs of homes and snapped large tree limbs.

Tornado, Tulsa

When: April 29, 6:05 AM CST to 6:09 AM CST
Where: Tulsa County, 3.52 mi SW of Collinsville to 3.43 mi NNE of Owasso
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.4 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.332, -95.872

A tornado developed south of E 126th St N and west of N 97th East Ave, where trees were uprooted and large tree limbs were snapped. It moved east-southeast, damaging outbuildings and the roofs of several homes between N 97th East Ave and N Garnett Road, and snapped numerous large tree limbs as it crossed E 116th St N and N 123rd East Ave. The tornado dissipated before reaching N 129th East Ave. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 85 to 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: April 29, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 6.02 mi WNW of Verdigris
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.264, -95.779

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs just east of the Rogers and Tulsa County line, on E 76th Street N.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: April 29, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 5.86 mi WNW of Verdigris
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.264, -95.776

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs near E 76th Street N and N 177th East Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: April 29, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 5.4 mi SE of Collinsville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 36.307, -95.772

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree across E 106th Street N and N 181st East Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rogers

When: April 29, 6:22 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 3 mi S of Oologah
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.407, -95.700

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.

Hail, Rogers

When: April 29, 6:25 AM CST
Where: Rogers County, 1.25 mi ESE of Claremore
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.313, -95.579

Flash Flood, Osage

When: April 29, 6:42 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST
Where: Osage County, 1 mi NNE of Hominy to 0.39 mi S of Hominy
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.433, -96.393

Numerous streets were flooded in and around Hominy. Highway 99 was flooded near the high school.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mayes

When: April 29, 6:47 AM CST
Where: Mayes County, 0.49 mi NE of Chouteau
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.185, -95.344

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: April 29, 6:55 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County, 2.05 mi ENE of Miami
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 36.888, -94.844

The Oklahoma Mesonet station near Miami measured 61 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Tornado, Delaware

When: April 29, 6:55 AM CST to 7:06 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, 4.17 mi W of Grove to 2.21 mi NE of Grove Arpt
Rating: EF1
Path length: 8.7 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.583, -94.845

A tornado developed east of Monkey Island on Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. There is video of this tornado over the lake. The tornado moved northeast across Patricia Island, uprooting a couple trees and snapping large tree limbs. More large tree limbs and a few trees were uprooted near Highway 59. The tornado widened as it approached the S 620 Road, where the roof of a metal building system was damaged and trees were uprooted. The tornado continued to widen as it approached Grove Municipal Airport. Outbuildings were severely damaged, homes were damaged, and trees were snapped or uprooted near the airport. There is video of the tornado as it moved across the north side of the airport, damaging outbuildings. The tornado crossed Highway 10 and dissipated north of the E 280 Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: April 29, 6:58 AM CST
Where: Ottawa County, Miami
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.880, -94.880

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power poles in Miami.

Tornado, Delaware

When: April 29, 7:02 AM CST to 7:10 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, 3.18 mi N of Jay to 4.49 mi NNE of Sycamore
Rating: EF1
Path length: 7.9 mi
Path width: 950 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.466, -94.801

This tornado developed along the E 380 Road, west of Highway 59, where trees were uprooted and large tree limbs were snapped. The tornado moved east-southeast. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped, several homes were damaged, and several outbuildings were destroyed when it moved across Highway 59, through the S 640 Road. The tornado turned to the southeast after moving through Yellow Bird Hollow, and uprooted trees and snapped large tree limbs along the E 390 Road and S 670 Road. It dissipated east of the S 680 Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 95 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: April 29, 7:04 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.77 mi NE of Jay
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.452, -94.770

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs and damaged roofs.

Tornado, Delaware

When: April 29, 7:07 AM CST to 7:09 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.05 mi E of Grove Arpt to 4.22 mi ENE of Grove Arpt
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.3 mi
Path width: 450 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.601, -94.693

This tornado developed north of the E 290 Road and west of the S 663 Road. The tornado moved northeast snapping large tree limbs and uprooting a few trees. It dissipated north of the E 280 Road and west of the S 680 Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 85 to 95 mph.

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 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Oklahoma, 2025 Warnings in Oklahoma, April 2025

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: 1255506, 1255507, 1253816, 1256053, 1256057, 1256062, 1257121, 1255508, 1256041, 1256111, 1255512, 1256040, 1256047, 1256051, 1256064, 1257133, 1256058, 1257140, 1256072, 1257143.