Storm Events Database
- Data Access
- Search
- FTP Access
- Database Download
- Storm Data Publication
- Documentation
- Storm Data FAQ
- Storm Data Preparation
- Tornado EF Scale
- External Resources
- NOAA's SPC Reports
- NOAA's SPC WCM Page
- SHELDUS
Storm Events Database
Event Details
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | EF4 |
| -- Length | 9.6 |
| -- Width | 650 |
| State | OKLAHOMA |
| County/Area | MCCLAIN |
| WFO | OUN |
| Begin Date | 05/24/2011 16:38:00 CST-6 |
| Begin Range | 3 |
| Begin Azimuth | N |
| Begin Location | BLANCHARD |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 35.19/-97.67 |
| End Date | 05/24/2011 16:53:00 CST-6 |
| End Range | 4 |
| End Azimuth | N |
| End Location | NEWCASTLE |
| End Lat/Lon | 35.3/-97.59 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | |
| Crop Damage | |
| Episode Narrative | A tornado outbreak occurred over parts of northern and central Oklahoma during the day on the 24th, with violent tornadoes devastating several communities. By the end of the day, one EF-5, two EF-4, and two EF-3 tornadoes destroyed buildings, ripped up trees and power poles, and unfortunately, resulted in 11 deaths. The day began with a strong upper level trough ejecting out of the southwest United States. The trough took on a negative tilt as it approached the southern Plains. A strong jet stream was located at both the middle and upper levels rotating around the upper trough. At the surface, a low pressure strengthened rapidly over northwest Oklahoma, keeping the low-level flow of warm, moist air to flow east of a dry line that had moved into western Oklahoma. Thunderstorms developed by early afternoon over western Oklahoma, and quickly became supercellular as they moved northeast. Strong low-level rotation developed early, with the first tornado occurring over Blaine county, and moved northeast into Major county. Another supercell rapidly gained low-level rotation as it moved from Caddo into Canadian County. This tornado became the strongest of them all as it moved north of El Reno, west of Piedmont, and to south of Guthrie in Logan county. Nine people died as a result of this tornado. Two more powerful supercells developed over Grady county, and they moved northeast into McClain and Cleveland counties. Finally, the final tornado occurred east of Norman into Pottawatomie county. The timing of this outbreak could not have come at a worse time, as rush hour was just unfolding as the tornadoes neared the Oklahoma City metro area. |
| Event Narrative | This tornado is labeled C1 (Segment #2 of the Chickasha-Blanchard-Newcastle tornado). Significant damage continued as the violent tornado moved over the McClain county border. This may have been the strongest portion of this tornado, with wind speeds near 200 mph. Well-built homes were destroyed, with some cleaned off of their foundation. A concrete dome home was severely damage, mainly by the flying debris. Trees were debarked or destroyed. Very little was left standing for the first few miles into McClain county. Fairly consistent EF-3, with brief periods of EF-4 damage occurred as the tornado neared/crossed Highway 9, near the Highway 76 junction. The tornado began to weaken as it moved toward the Cleveland county border, with mainly trees and power poles/lines snapped. The tornado continued into Cleveland County. Monetary damage estimates were not available. |
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 11 | 342 | 9.50K | 0.00K | |||||||
| HOBART | KIOWA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 13:29 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW | KIOWA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:15 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HUCMAC | DEWEY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:20 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CANTON LAKE DAM | BLAINE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:21 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 0 | 2 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| EAKLY | CADDO CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:29 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LOOKEBA | CADDO CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:31 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| FAY | DEWEY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:33 | CST-6 | Hail | 3.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DANE | MAJOR CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:34 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 1 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| FAIRVIEW | MAJOR CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:47 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CALUMET | CANADIAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 14:50 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF5 | 7 | 112 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LAWTON | COMANCHE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:16 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| EL RENO | CANADIAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:18 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 131 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LAKE ELLSWORTH DAM | COMANCHE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:31 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| RICHLAND | CANADIAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:37 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MIDWEST CITY | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:43 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CASHION | KINGFISHER CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:55 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 0 | 46 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NAVINA | LOGAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 15:59 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 2 | 23 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARLOW | STEPHENS CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:00 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| (PNC)PONCA CITY ARPT | KAY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:02 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 53 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORGE | GRADY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:06 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF4 | 1 | 48 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BRADLEY | GRADY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:26 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LANGSTON | LOGAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:30 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 51 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NEWKIRK | KAY CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:30 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CRINER | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:35 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF4 | 0 | 61 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NEWCASTLE | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:37 | CST-6 | Hail | 2.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BLANCHARD | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:38 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NEWCASTLE | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:45 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NOBLE | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:50 | CST-6 | Hail | 2.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORMAN | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:50 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WASHINGTON | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:50 | CST-6 | Hail | 2.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LAKE CARL BLACKWELL DAM | PAYNE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:50 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF2 | 0 | 18 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MOORE | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:53 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| COYLE | LOGAN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 16:55 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LUTHER | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| (OUN)NORMAN WESTHEIMER ARPT | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORMAN | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORMAN | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NOBLE | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| GOLDSBY | MCCLAIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:02 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORMAN | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:05 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DEL CITY | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:05 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ELMORE CITY | GARVIN CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:05 | CST-6 | Hail | 0.88 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| NORMAN | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:07 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DEL CITY | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:14 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARIETTA | LOVE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:15 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 1.50K | 0.00K |
| RINGLING | JEFFERSON CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 80 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| RINGLING | JEFFERSON CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 68 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| (TIK)TINKER AFB | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:23 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARIETTA | LOVE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:25 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MARIETTA | LOVE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:25 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| (TIK)TINKER AFB | OKLAHOMA CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:31 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HEALDTON | CARTER CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:35 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DALE | POTTAWATOMIE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:36 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF2 | 0 | 32 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LONE GROVE | CARTER CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:40 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 6.00K | 0.00K |
| MOORE | CLEVELAND CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 17:51 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HEALDTON | CARTER CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 18:01 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| RUBOTTOM | LOVE CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 18:08 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| RAVIA | JOHNSTON CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 18:30 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| MADILL | MARSHALL CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 19:02 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ADA | PONTOTOC CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 19:50 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.25 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ADA | PONTOTOC CO. | OK | 05/24/2011 | 20:01 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 11 | 342 | 9.50K | 0.00K |
