US history
Tornadoes in Oklahoma
Oklahoma averages 68 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 68 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: April-May.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn or equivalent spotter network active.
Notable events
- 1947 Woodward F5 — 181 dead. Deadliest Oklahoma tornado.
- 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore F5 (May 3) — 36 dead. 301 mph winds measured — highest ever.
- 2013 Moore EF5 (May 20) — 24 dead including 7 at Plaza Towers Elementary.
- 2013 El Reno EF3 (May 31) — 2.6 miles wide, widest tornado ever recorded. Killed Tim Samaras + 7 others.
- 2015 Elmer EF3 — daytime.
- 2019 El Reno EF3 — 2 dead.
- 2022 outbreaks — multiple significant events.
- 2023 Cole EF3 — spring event.
- 2024 outbreaks — very active spring including multiple long-track events.
Major cities
Oklahoma City metro
1.5M. Highest per-capita significant tornado risk in the US.
Tulsa metro
1M. NE Oklahoma.
Norman
128k. NWS Storm Prediction Center + National Weather Museum.
Moore
62k. 1999 and 2013 EF5 legacy. Strongest school shelter mandates in US.
Edmond
95k. Metro OKC.
Broken Arrow
115k. Metro Tulsa.
Lawton
90k.
Woodward
12k. 1947 F5 legacy.
El Reno
20k. 2013 widest ever + 2019 EF3.
Bridge Creek
small. 1999 F5 legacy.
Weather service coverage
NWS Norman
Central Oklahoma. Co-located with National Weather Center.
NWS Tulsa
NE Oklahoma.
NWS Amarillo TX
Panhandle.
NWS Shreveport LA
SE Oklahoma.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- Wireless alerts enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter or basement.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local forecast office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.