Oklahoma Climatological Survey: 61 Twisters Hit the State in May

Of the two types of weather hazards — floods and tornadoes — that beset Oklahoma in May, flooding won out as the most widespread and damaging, according to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS).

Still, at least 61 twisters struck Oklahoma during May, according to early reports from the from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman. The OCS said as more damage areas are investigated the estimated number of tornadoes will likely rise.

Eight of the 61 reported tornadoes were considered “strong,” rated as EF2 or EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Oklahoma also had 22 confirmed tornado touchdowns in April. That number, combined with the 61 reported so far for May, brings the 2019 tornado total for Oklahoma to 83.

Oklahoma averages 23.2 tornadoes during May and 56.2 per year based on 1950-2018 counts, the OCS says.

The two fatalities related to the May tornadoes occurred in a mobile home park hit by an EF3 tornado that touched down in eastern El Reno. With those two fatalities, the number of tornado-related deaths in the state rose to four for the year. The other two also occurred in mobile home areas during EF3 tornadoes.

May 2019 was the third wettest May in Oklahoma since record-keeping began in 1895, according to preliminary data from the Oklahoma Mesonet, a network of environmental monitoring stations. Last month’s statewide average rainfall total was 10.48 inches, 5.66 inches above normal.

As a result of the disastrous impact the flooding and tornadoes hazards had on the state in May, Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties in Oklahoma. President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in the state.