El Reno, Oklahoma Tornado of May 24, 2011

The Event

On May 24, 2011, a violent EF5 tornado developed near El Reno, Oklahoma. It was part of a significant Oklahoma tornado outbreak. The tornado tracked northeast, striking rural areas and small communities.

Key Facts

• Date: May 24, 2011
• Rating: EF5
• Killed: 9
• Injured: 181
• Path length: Approximately 63 miles
• Peak width: 800 yards
• Peak winds: 200+ mph

Path Description

The tornado tracked from:

• Northeast of Chickasha
• Through Piedmont area
• Past El Reno
• Toward Guthrie
• Extended path through Piedmont

Damage Description

EF5 damage was observed:

• Well-built houses swept from foundations
• Concrete slabs remain
• Vehicles thrown considerable distances
• Trees debarked and denuded
• Complete destruction along path center
• Widespread damage

Casualties

Nine people were killed:

• Multiple in Piedmont area
• Rural residents
• Some in vehicles
• Some in mobile homes

Not the 2013 El Reno

Important distinction:

• 2011 El Reno: EF5, 9 killed, May 24, 2011
• 2013 El Reno: EF3 (initially rated EF5), 8 killed including storm chasers, May 31, 2013, widest tornado ever recorded (2.6 miles)

2013 El Reno details →

The 2011 Outbreak Context

The May 24, 2011 event was part of a broader tornado outbreak:

• Multiple tornadoes across Oklahoma
• Central Oklahoma primary target
• Part of May 2011 severe weather
• Followed by April 27 Super Outbreak that same year

Warning Response

NWS provided extended warning:

• Tornado emergency issued
• Multi-county warnings
• Storm chase documentation
• Community warning systems activated

Community Recovery

Piedmont Rebuilding

Communities rebuilt in years following. Federal disaster aid and state resources.

Storm Shelter Programs

Oklahoma's shelter programs expanded following the disaster.

Meteorological Significance

EF5 Rating

The 2011 El Reno tornado received EF5 rating. Multiple structures rated at EF5 damage level.

Long Track

63-mile continuous path documented.

Multi-Vortex Structure

Multi-vortex structure documented at peak intensity.

Storm Chase Documentation

Storm chasers documented:

• Multiple photographs
• Video documentation
• Meteorological data
• Contributed to research

Bottom Line

The 2011 El Reno tornado was an EF5 that killed 9 in central Oklahoma. Part of a broader outbreak, it produced significant damage across a 63-mile path. Not to be confused with the 2013 El Reno event (the widest tornado ever recorded), the 2011 El Reno demonstrates that even in the modern warning era, violent tornadoes can produce significant casualties in rural areas.