Tornadoes · United States · Oklahoma
Tornadoes in Kiowa County, Oklahoma
95 tornadoes have crossed Kiowa County since 1950, 10th of the 77 counties in Oklahoma with a tornado on record, an average of 1.3 a year. They have killed 2 people and injured 9. 1 was rated F4 or EF4 and above.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The United States rated tornadoes on Ted Fujita’s F scale until 31 January 2007 and on the Enhanced Fujita scale after it. Both run from 0 to 5, and both rate the damage rather than measure the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
F0 / EF040 to 72 mph on the F scale, 65 to 85 mph on the EF scale
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
F1 / EF173 to 112 mph on the F scale, 86 to 110 mph on the EF scale
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
F2 / EF2113 to 157 mph on the F scale, 111 to 135 mph on the EF scale
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
F3 / EF3158 to 206 mph on the F scale, 136 to 165 mph on the EF scale
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
F4 / EF4207 to 260 mph on the F scale, 166 to 200 mph on the EF scale
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
F5 / EF5261 to 318 mph on the F scale, over 200 mph on the EF scale
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
Now
- Tornadoes
- 95
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 9
- F4 and above
- 1
- Worst on record
- F4, May 1, 1954
The deadliest in Kiowa County
The strongest
- F4, Foard, Wilbarger, Tillman and Kiowa counties, Texas and OklahomaMay 1, 1954
- EF3, Hardeman, Jackson, Wilbarger, Tillman and Kiowa counties, Texas and OklahomaMay 16, 2015
- F3, Kiowa and Washita counties, OklahomaApril 28, 1950
- F3, Kiowa and Washita counties, OklahomaOctober 9, 2001
- F3, Kiowa County, OklahomaMay 11, 1982
- F2, Jackson, Kiowa, Caddo and Grady counties, OklahomaApril 29, 1970
- F2, Jackson and Kiowa counties, OklahomaApril 2, 1957
- F2, Kiowa County, OklahomaJune 14, 1955
- F2, Washita, Kiowa and Caddo counties, OklahomaMay 22, 1981
- F2, Kiowa, Washita and Caddo counties, OklahomaMay 22, 1957
Every year with a tornado
The 41 years of the 76 in the record with a tornado in Kiowa County. Each year links to every tornado in Oklahoma that year.
| Year | Tornadoes | Deaths | Injuries | Strongest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | EF0 | ||
| 2023 | 1 | EF1 | ||
| 2022 | 1 | Unrated | ||
| 2021 | 4 | EF1 | ||
| 2019 | 3 | EF2 | ||
| 2018 | 4 | EF0 | ||
| 2015 | 1 | EF3 | ||
| 2013 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2012 | 4 | EF1 | ||
| 2011 | 6 | EF0 | ||
| 2007 | 1 | EF1 | ||
| 2005 | 2 | F1 | ||
| 2003 | 3 | F1 | ||
| 2001 | 2 | 1 | F3 | |
| 1999 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 1996 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1995 | 3 | F0 | ||
| 1993 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1989 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1986 | 5 | F2 | ||
| 1985 | 3 | F0 | ||
| 1983 | 3 | F2 | ||
| 1982 | 4 | F3 | ||
| 1981 | 5 | F2 | ||
| 1980 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1978 | 1 | F1 | ||
| 1977 | 1 | F2 | ||
| 1976 | 2 | F1 | ||
| 1975 | 1 | 1 | 2 | F2 |
| 1973 | 1 | F2 | ||
| 1970 | 1 | 2 | F2 | |
| 1968 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1962 | 3 | F1 | ||
| 1959 | 5 | F1 | ||
| 1958 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1957 | 3 | 1 | F2 | |
| 1955 | 3 | F2 | ||
| 1954 | 2 | 2 | F4 | |
| 1953 | 3 | F1 | ||
| 1952 | 1 | F1 | ||
| 1950 | 1 | 1 | 1 | F3 |
Every tornado that crossed Kiowa County
95 tornadoes, newest first. 2 of them touched down in a neighboring state and ran in, so the record files them under that state rather than Oklahoma.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 18, 2024 | 3:48 AM CST | Unrated | Kiowa | 2.4 | 30 | |||
| November 18, 2024 | 3:44 AM CST | Unrated | Kiowa | 3.0 | 30 | |||
| April 30, 2024 | 7:35 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| February 26, 2023 | 7:45 PM CST | EF1 | Kiowa | 7.5 | 600 | $100,000 | ||
| May 4, 2022 | 9:52 PM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa | 0.2 | 20 | |||
| October 12, 2021 | 8:26 PM CDT | EF1 | Comanche | 8.4 | 900 | $15,000 | ||
| October 12, 2021 | 8:19 PM CDT | EF1 | Tillman | 0.9 | 300 | $5,000 | ||
| October 10, 2021 | 6:13 PM CDT | EF1 | Kiowa | 2.9 | 200 | $30,000 | ||
| October 10, 2021 | 5:59 PM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa | 0.1 | 20 | |||
| May 20, 2019 | 6:14 PM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa | 0.5 | 30 | |||
| May 7, 2019 | 12:27 AM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa | 0.5 | 30 | |||
| May 7, 2019 | 11:23 PM CDT | EF2 | Kiowa | 3.7 | 300 | $75,000 | ||
| October 7, 2018 | 5:10 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| October 7, 2018 | 4:22 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 2, 2018 | 4:38 PM CDT | Unrated | Kiowa | 1.2 | 30 | |||
| May 2, 2018 | 4:25 PM CDT | EF0 | Greer | 1.7 | 30 | |||
| May 16, 2015 | 5:26 PM CDT | EF3 | Hardeman to OK | 40.4 | 1,600 | |||
| May 9, 2013 | 5:00 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| April 13, 2012 | 7:52 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 6.0 | 500 | |||
| April 13, 2012 | 7:28 PM CDT | EF1 | Kiowa | 5.0 | 500 | |||
| April 13, 2012 | 7:27 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.2 | 100 | |||
| April 13, 2012 | 7:25 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 300 | |||
| November 7, 2011 | 4:24 PM CST | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| November 7, 2011 | 4:19 PM CST | EF0 | Kiowa | 1.4 | 100 | |||
| November 7, 2011 | 3:52 PM CST | EF0 | Kiowa | 13.4 | 500 | |||
| November 7, 2011 | 3:38 PM CST | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| November 7, 2011 | 3:15 PM CST | EF0 | Tillman | 6.0 | 400 | |||
| May 19, 2011 | 4:50 PM CDT | EF0 | Kiowa | 0.2 | 20 | |||
| August 18, 2007 | 4:46 PM CDT | EF1 | Kiowa | 6.0 | 50 | $50,000 | ||
| June 5, 2005 | 7:36 PM CDT | F1 | Kiowa | 1.0 | 50 | $10,000 | ||
| June 5, 2005 | 7:25 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.3 | 30 | |||
| March 17, 2003 | 3:17 PM CST | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| March 17, 2003 | 3:05 PM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 3.0 | 300 | $20,000 | ||
| March 17, 2003 | 2:57 PM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 1.5 | 100 | $50,000 | ||
| October 9, 2001 | 5:36 PM CDT | F3 | Kiowa | 13.0 | 440 | 1 | $610,000 | |
| October 9, 2001 | 4:52 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 1.0 | 50 | |||
| May 31, 1999 | 8:51 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 2.0 | 440 | |||
| May 3, 1999 | 5:36 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 0 | |||
| May 26, 1996 | 3:25 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 1.0 | 10 | |||
| July 9, 1995 | 6:40 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 2.5 | 63 | |||
| June 9, 1995 | 4:20 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 23 | |||
| June 9, 1995 | 3:00 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.7 | 100 | |||
| May 7, 1993 | 9:48 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.8 | 70 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| October 29, 1989 | 4:46 PM CST | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 30 | |||
| October 1, 1986 | 10:07 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 30 | |||
| May 14, 1986 | 4:09 PM CDT | F2 | Kiowa | 3.0 | 500 | $50,000 to $500,000 | ||
| May 14, 1986 | 4:05 PM CDT | F1 | Tillman | 1.1 | 73 | $50,000 to $500,000 | ||
| April 26, 1986 | 7:37 PM CST | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| April 26, 1986 | 7:10 PM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 7.0 | 100 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 2, 1985 | 8:15 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| June 2, 1985 | 7:25 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| June 2, 1985 | 7:20 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| May 13, 1983 | 9:50 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 50 | under $50 | ||
| May 13, 1983 | 8:45 PM CDT | F2 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 50 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 13, 1983 | 8:20 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 50 | under $50 | ||
| May 15, 1982 | 8:26 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| May 15, 1982 | 8:20 PM CDT | F1 | Kiowa | 7.0 | 50 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 15, 1982 | 8:20 PM CDT | F1 | Kiowa | 7.0 | 50 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 11, 1982 | 6:55 PM CDT | F3 | Kiowa | 7.0 | 100 | $50,000 to $500,000 | ||
| July 21, 1981 | 4:00 PM CDT | F2 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 30 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 28, 1981 | 8:00 PM CDT | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 22, 1981 | 7:30 PM CDT | F2 | Washita | 15.4 | 100 | |||
| April 12, 1981 | 6:30 PM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 1.0 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| April 11, 1981 | 7:00 PM CST | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 16, 1980 | 7:23 PM CDT | F0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| April 5, 1978 | 5:45 PM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 6.2 | 50 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 20, 1977 | 7:00 PM CDT | F2 | Kiowa | 3.6 | 100 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 23, 1976 | 12:55 AM CDT | F1 | Kiowa | 0.3 | 30 | $50 to $500 | ||
| April 17, 1976 | 3:50 AM CST | F1 | Kiowa | 5.2 | 30 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| February 22, 1975 | 1:00 AM CST | F2 | Kiowa | 4.5 | 77 | 1 | 2 | $50,000 to $500,000 |
| June 18, 1973 | 6:00 PM CDT | F2 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 83 | $50 to $500 | ||
| April 29, 1970 | 11:25 PM CDT | F2 | Jackson | 170.5 | 250 | 2 | $500,000 to $5 million | |
| April 22, 1968 | 2:00 PM GMT-6 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 5, 1962 | 9:45 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 25, 1962 | 8:00 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 6.8 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 24, 1962 | 12:13 AM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 22, 1959 | 7:30 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 22, 1959 | 7:30 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 21, 1959 | 7:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 50 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| May 19, 1959 | 8:00 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 22.7 | 880 | |||
| March 20, 1959 | 1:45 PM GMT-6 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 11, 1958 | 6:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 1.0 | 33 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| May 22, 1957 | 8:00 AM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 22, 1957 | 7:15 AM GMT-5 | F2 | Kiowa | 14.7 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| April 2, 1957 | 6:30 PM GMT-6 | F2 | Jackson | 43.7 | 150 | 1 | $5,000 to $50,000 | |
| June 17, 1955 | 9:40 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.5 | 50 | |||
| June 14, 1955 | 9:30 PM GMT-5 | F2 | Kiowa | 17.6 | 500 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 11, 1955 | 11:15 AM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 8, 1954 | 5:50 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 27 | |||
| May 1, 1954 | 3:15 PM GMT-5 | F4 | Foard to OK | 68.6 | 440 | 2 | $50,000 to $500,000 | |
| August 11, 1953 | 5:55 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| August 4, 1953 | 5:28 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 10 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| June 5, 1953 | 5:15 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Kiowa | 0.1 | 250 | |||
| May 23, 1952 | 5:30 AM GMT-5 | F1 | Kiowa | 16.9 | 100 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| April 28, 1950 | 2:17 PM GMT-6 | F3 | Kiowa | 20.8 | 400 | 1 | 1 | $50,000 to $500,000 |
Nearby
Warnings in force in Kiowa CountyThe forecast for Kiowa CountyThe live radar over Kiowa CountyEvery county in Oklahoma
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.