When Is Tornado Season In Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is one of nine states that are included in what is known as “Tornado Alley.” Each year this area of the U.S. peaks with tornadic activity, usually between March and June. During this time period, Oklahoma residents can see dozens of tornadoes. For 2024, the state saw 145 tornadoes.

Between March and June, Oklahoma sees increased activity. For 2024, residents saw 110 of the 145 tornadoes they saw for the year.

Let’s explain a bit more about what each of these EF scales means.

EF stands for Enhanced Fujita Scale. It registers the damage a tornado can do through wind speed and estimated damage. It rates on a scale from zero to 5.

EF-0 – 65 and 85MPH (138 and 177KPH)

Wind gusts between 65 and 85 mph (138 and 177 kph). It causes minor damage, mainly flipped over unanchored structures and broken branches.

EF-1 – 86 and 100MPH (138 and 177KPH)

Tornadoes cause minor structural damage, rip off roof tiles, and window damage.

EF-2 – 111 and 135MPH (178 and 217KPH)

Mobile homes receive structural damage, high winds cause flying debris and uproot trees.

EF-3 136 and 165MPH (218 and 266KPH)

Widespread severe damage, walls torn from buildings, and trees are uprooted.

EF-4 166 and 200 MPH (26 and 322KPH)

Devastating damage. Homes destroyed; cars blown away.

EF-5 200mph and 322KPH

Winds lift homes from their foundation, strip bark from trees, and throw cars through the air.

Where In Oklahoma Do Tornadoes Appear The Most?

According to the National Weather Service, before 1950, Cado County history recorded about 14 tornadoes. After 1950, when record-keeping became more advanced, one-hundred-twenty-eight tornadoes passed through the county. Most are EF2 or lower. Two of them have been EF4, eight of them EF3.

Here are the top five counties with the most tornadoes in Oklahoma from 1950 through 2023

Where In Oklahoma Is Tornado Alley?

Another term in addition to “tornado season” is “tornado alley.” Tornado Alley is a strip of the United States extending from Nebraska in the north, down to Texas in the south where tornado activity is highest. As with the term ‘season,’ don’t believe that this is the only area where tornadoes can occur. All U.S. states have documented at least one tornado since 1950.

Over the years, the ‘tornado alley’ window has shifted to the east about 500 miles, toward Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Experts attribute this to the warming of the Gulf of Mexico and climate change. That doesn’t mean that tornado season in Oklahoma no longer occurs.

Regardless of its shift, if you live in Oklahoma, you live in Tornado Alley. Every county is prone to tornadoes during the peak season. We talked about counties with the highest number of tornadoes, here are the counties that see the fewest during peak season:

Average Number Of Tornadoes In Oklahoma

According to NOAA, there have been 145 tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2024 through November. The highest month was April with 56. January, February, June, and August were the only months that did not see a twister.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?

The good news is that a homeowners insurance policy will generally cover tornado damage. This part of the policy is called Wind and Hail Coverage. If you live in Tornado Alley or a higher-risk area your insurance company may have a separate deductible for this coverage.

Keep in mind that if flooding accompanies a tornado, those damages will be separate; a standard insurance policy does not cover flooding. One would need Flood Insurance to assist with all flooding damage to their home.

Another instance that could cause an insurer to deny a tornado damage claim is poor maintenance around your home. If you have a tree in your yard that is dead or unmaintained, if said tree falls on your home in a storm, your insurance company can deny your tornado damage claim.

In addition to keeping your insurance policy safe, you should consider other important documents such as your birth certificates, social security cards, life insurance policies, and passports. A safe or safety deposit box can protect these documents from storm damage.

Taking a home inventory can also help should you lose items in a major tornado. Photos of expensive items help; this includes serial numbers.

What To Do When A Tornado Hits

When you receive a Tornado Warning, remember that tornado spotters have seen a tornado on the ground in your area. Now is the time to seek shelter. Here are a few tips on what you need to do when a tornado hits.

First, Don’t Panic.

Most injuries occur because people are not prepared and panic at the first sign of danger. Remain calm and help others to do the same.

Take Action On Your Safety Plan.

Follow the plan you and your family have created. Don’t attempt to go back for anything left behind. Nothing is more important than your life. Unfortunately, this sometimes can include a beloved pet. Pets have an extraordinary survival instinct. They will be seeking shelter so you can rest easy if you cannot find them.

For yourself:

• Seek shelter within the interior of a building, preferably a room without windows, a bathroom, or a closet. If you have a basement, go there.
• Get under something sturdy like a desk; cover yourself with a blanket to protect your head and neck from cuts. Cover your mouth.
• If driving, don’t stop under underpasses, they do not offer adequate protection from winds and flying debris.

Maintain Access To Emergency Services.

When weather hits your area, it is good to have access to emergency broadcasting such as NOAA radio. A battery-operated radio would be the best option because a phone will often lose signal during a severe storm.

Don’t Attempt To Be Brave.

We all have seen the movies, and some may think that getting close to a tornado may be cool. Even trying to capture video for your social media page can become deadly. Remain sheltered until the danger is over. Your life is not worth the risk of a tornado selfie.

When you find yourself on the road during a tornado warning seek shelter. However, don’t try to outrun it as a strong tornado can easily pick up a car. You can remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt on, crouching, or get out and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine then cover your head.

What To Do After A Tornado

The first thing is to listen for the all-clear from your radio. Just because you can’t hear anything does not mean that the danger is over. Next, ensure everyone is okay. If anyone requires medical attention see they receive what you are able to give. You should have a first aid kit in your disaster kit.

If you need EMS, contact 911, but remember there will be others in your situation and there may be a delay in reaching you. It is also important to stay off the phone and road. Both will be congested with emergency calls and vehicles attempting to assist those in need.

After everyone is safe and taken care of, you should begin assessing the damage to your home and belongings.

Contact Your Insurance Company.

Get the ball rolling. Even if you don’t have all the information yet. Ask your insurance company about your coverage and deadlines during tornado season in Oklahoma.

Begin To Document Your Damages.

Record everything. Take photos and make lists of damage and what is missing. However, if your home has major damage do not attempt to enter it.

Make Necessary Repairs.

If your home has minor damage and is livable, you can begin to make those repairs. Ensure you keep all receipts so you can receive compensation from the insurance company. These types of repairs would be those that are to help prevent additional damage, such as roof patching or broken windows.

Make Living Arrangements.

If your home is unlivable, then find shelter as soon as you discover your home is uninhabitable. Remember others may be in your situation, the sooner you find shelter, the less likely you will be scrambling at the last moment. Local governments may set up shelters at schools, the local VFW, or the YMCA.

If you find yourself trapped due to a tornado remain calm. Instead of screaming, if you are able find something to bang on or whistle if you can. Whistles have a higher frequency than yells and are more readily heard, especially by dogs. It is also important to keep your mouth covered to prevent breathing in dust.