Weathering the Storm

A guide to surviving the ever-changing seasons of Oklahoma

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2012 Weathering the Storm 3

PhotosNorman: Jerry Laizure. KylePhillips, Melissa Elder

Stillwater: Anita Pere,Chase Rheam, RickyO’Bannon

Muskogee: CathySpaulding, Wendy Burton

Enid: Billy Hefton

McAlester News-Capital

Chickasha: Debbi DeSilva

Pryor Times

Tahlequah: Josh Newton

Stilwell Democrat Journal

Section DesignDebra A. Parker, Norman

Advertising teamsThe Ada NewsThe (Chickasha) Express-

StarThe Claremore Daily

ProgressThe Duncan BannerThe Edmond SunThe Enid News & EagleThe McAlester News-

CapitalThe Muskogee PhoenixThe Norman TranscriptThe Pauls Valley DemocratThe (Pryor) TimesThe (Stillwater) NewsPressThe Stilwell Democrat

JournalThe Tahlequah Daily PressThe Waurika News

DemocratThe Westville ReporterThe Woodward News

On the CoverRain falls from a storm that

moved through the Enidarea Monday afternoon,Feb. 20, 2012. Photo by Billy Hefton /

Enid News & Eagle

Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle files

A tornado moves across a field on May 19, 2010, just north of Hennessey.

According to information from the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administertaion, thecity hit the most by tornadoes is Oklahoma City.

The exact count varies because city limits andtornado reporting practices have changed over theyears; but the known total is close to 150 since1893.

The Norman NWS has prepared a detailed list-ing of Oklahoma City-area tornadoes.

That list begins with a tornado March 22, 1893.The F2 tornado touched down about 9 p.m.

There were no deaths reported, but four peoplewere injured, one seriously.

According to accounts of the day, the tornadomoved northeastward, passing a few blocks westof the center of Oklahoma City, swinging side-to-side and attended by a “sullen grinding noise.” Itdestroyed 14 buildings.

It cut a path 50 yards wide and 1 mile long. The most recent tornado, No. 147, was at 5:06

p.m. May 24, 2011.The twister formed on the south side of Chick-

asha, quickly doing EF-2 damage. As the tornado moved northeast of Chickasha,

it gained significant strength, with several areasreceiving EF-4 damage.

The tornado crossed over the Canadian Riverinto Cleveland County and ultimately dissipatedin southwestern Oklahoma City.

All told, the tornado had traveled a along pathof 33 miles long and had lasted for 55 minutes. Themaximum path width was 0.5 miles.

— Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-istration/Department of Commerce.

Oklahoma City the one place hit most often by tornadoes On the Net

• http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=tornadodata-okc-table

Oklahoma generally recognizes five sea-sons rather than the standard four.

This fifth season is tornado season.Although tornadoes can occur at just aboutany time of the year, tornado season gen-erally begins in early March with the peakperio during May into early June, accord-ing to information from the National Ocean-ic and Atmospheric Administration.

In this section you’ll find tips on keeping

your family safe in a tornado or other nat-ural disaster. There also is information onhow to build an emergecy supply kit and afirst-aid kit. There even is first aid for yourcell phone should it get wet.

Tornadoes can happen any day or nightof the year.

Indeed, the earliest on modern record(since 1950) was two minutes into the newyear — 12:02 a.m. CST, Jan. 1, 2011, in Atta-

la County, Miss.The average first tornado date in the

United States is Jan.11, for the entire 1950-2011 time frame.

The latest first tornado was on Feb. 15,2003, in Marengo County, Ala., meaningthat the nation had 45 days of tornado-freeweather to start that year.

Tornadoes aren’t the only violent weath-er to hit Oklahoma. In addition to dis-

cussing tornado safety, the sections dis-cusses the dangers of flash flooding.

Also, while wildfires cannot be predict-ed, they can be prevented. Inside this sec-tion you’ll find tips on preventing wildfiresand on how to keep your family safe. Thesection rounds out with winter safety tips.

It’s hoped this section will help you andyour family weather the storms of Okla-homa.

Section offers tips to help you weather the storms of Oklahoma


Ricky O'Bannon / Stillwater NewsPress

Debris from a destroyed house litters the ground south of Stillwater after a May 23, 2011, tornado

In a tornado, a damaging circulationis on the ground — whether or not thecloud is. The phrase, “tornado on theground,” is redundant.

A tornado, by definition, is “on theground.”

A true funnel cloud rotates, but hasno ground contact or debris, and is notdoing damage. If it is a low-hangingcloud with no rotation, it is not a funnelcloud.

Caution: tornadoes can happen with-out a funnel; and what looks like “only”a funnel cloud may be doing damagewhich can’t be seen from a distance.

Some funnels are high-based andmay never reach the surface.

Still, since a funnel cloud mightquickly become a tornado (rememberrotation), the weather service recom-mends it be reported by spotters.

— Source: National Oceanic and Atmos-pheric Administration/Department of Com-merce.

What’s the differencebetween a funnel cloud and a tornado?

6 2012 Weathering the Storm

1 Strong and persistent rota-tion in the cloud base.

2 Whirling dust or debris onthe ground under a cloud

base — tornadoes sometimeshave no funnel!

3 Hail or heavy rain followedby either dead calm or a

fast, intense wind shift. Many tor-nadoes are wrapped in heavy pre-cipitation and can't be seen.

4 Day or night — Loud,continuous roar or rumble,

which doesn't fade in a few sec-onds like thunder.

5 Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at

ground level near a thunderstorm(as opposed to silvery lightningup in the clouds). These meanpower lines are being snapped byvery strong wind, maybe a torna-do.

6 Night - Persistent loweringfrom the cloud base, illu-

minated or silhouetted by light-ning — especially if it is on theground or there is a blue-green-white power flash underneath.rnadoes do occur without a tor-nado warning. There is no substi-tute for staying alert to the sky.

— Source: National Ocean-ic and Atmospheric Administra-tion/Department of Commerce.

Know the signs of a tornadoWeather forecasting science is not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a tornado warning.

There is no substitute for staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously visible tornado, the National Ocean-ic and Atmospheric Administration offers these things to look and listen for:

Debbi DeSilva / Chickasha

ExpressStar

May 2011, Chickasha.

The Federal Emergency ManagementAgency says emergency evacuations aremore common than many people realize.

Fires and floods cause evacuations mostfrequently across the U.S. and almost everyyear, people along coastlines evacuate ashurricanes approach.

In addition, hundreds of times a year,transportation and industrial accidentsrelease harmful substances, forcing manypeople to leave their homes.

In some circumstances, local officialsdecide that the hazards are serious andrequire mandatory evacuations. In others,evacuations are advised or householdsdecide to evacuate to avoid situations theybelieve are potentially dangerous.

When community evacuations becomenecessary, local officials provide informa-tion to the public through the media. Insome circumstances, other warning meth-ods, such as sirens, text alerts, emails ortelephone calls are used.

The amount of time you have to leave willdepend on the hazard. If the event is a

weather condition, such as a hurricane, youmight have a day or two to get ready. If itis a tornado, then you have minutes to getto safety. However, many disasters allow notime for people to gather even the mostbasic necessities, which is why planningahead is essential.

FEMA suggests:• Plan how you will assemble your fam-

ily and supplies and anticipate where youwill go for different situations.

• Choose several destinations in differ-ent directions so you have options in anemergency and know the evacuation routesto get to those destinations.

— Source: FEMA; www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family

Have an evacuation plan readyImmediate safety in a tornado

• Tips on steps to take to ensure your safety and thatof your family, Page 8

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In a house with a basementAvoid windows. Get in the basement

and under some kind of sturdy protection(heavy table or work bench), or coveryourself with a mattress or sleeping bag.

Know where very heavy objects rest onthe floor above (pianos, refrigerators,waterbeds, etc.) and do not go underthem.

They may fall down through a weak-ened floor and crush you.

In a house with no basement, adorm, or an apartment

Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor,small center room (like a bathroom orcloset), under a stairwell, or in an interiorhallway with no windows.

Crouch as low as possible to the floor,facing down, and cover your head withyour hands. A bathtub may offer a shell ofpartial protection.

Even in an interior room, you shouldcover yourself with some sort of thickpadding (mattress, blankets, etc.), to

protect against falling debris in case theroof and ceiling fail.

In an office building, hospital,nursing home or skyscraper

Go directly to an enclosed, windowlessarea in the center of the building -- awayfrom glass and on the lowest floorpossible.

Then, crouch down and cover yourhead. Interior stairwells are usually goodplaces to take shelter, and if not crowded,allow you to get to a lower level quickly.

Stay off the elevators; you could betrapped in them if the power is lost.

In a mobile homeGet out! Even if your home is tied

down, you are probably safer outside,even if the only alternative is to seekshelter out in the open.

Most tornadoes can destroy even tied-down mobile homes; and it is best not toplay the low odds that yours will make it.If your community has a tornado shelter,

go there fast. If there is a sturdy perma-nent building within easy runningdistance, seek shelter there. Otherwise,lie flat on low ground away from yourhome, protecting your head. If possible,use open ground away from trees andcars, which can be blown onto you.

At schoolFollow the drill! Go to the interior hall

or room in an orderly way as you are told.Crouch low, head down, and protect theback of your head with your arms. Stayaway from windows and large openrooms like gyms and auditoriums.

In a car or truckVehicles are extremely dangerous in a

tornado. If the tornado is visible, far away,and the traffic is light, you may be able todrive out of its path by moving at rightangles to the tornado. Otherwise, parkthe car as quickly and safely as possible --out of the traffic lanes. [It is safer to get

the car out of mud later if necessary thanto cause a crash.] Get out and seekshelter in a sturdy building. If in the opencountry, run to low ground away from anycars (which may roll over on you). Lie flatand face-down, protecting the back ofyour head with your arms. Avoid seekingshelter under bridges, which can createdeadly traffic hazards while offering littleprotection against flying debris.

In the open outdoorsIf possible, seek shelter in a sturdy

building. If not, lie flat and face-down onlow ground, protecting the back of yourhead with your arms. Get as far awayfrom trees and cars as you can; they maybe blown onto you in a tornado.

In a shopping mall or largestore

Do not panic. Watch for others. Move

Immediate steps to take to ensure your family’s safety

• Conintued on Page 9

» P L A N. Create an emergency plan for different types of situations. Discuss the plans with your family. Have emergency contact phone numbers available. Know the disaster plans at your work, children’s daycare or school, etc.

» . Be sure to have a disaster supply kit. Three-day supply of water, nonperishable food, first aid kit, prescription medications, change of clothes, etc.

» Have a NOAA weather radio transmitter, know what the community warning system sounds like, know where shelters are, etc.

» . You are encouraged to sign up to receive messages on your home phone and/or cell phones. Messages may include life-saving notifications and important after-event information. Visit the City’s website at stillwater.org and sign up today.


as quickly as possible toan interior bathroom,storage room or othersmall enclosed area,away from windows.

In a church or theater

Do not panic. Ifpossible, move quicklybut orderly to aninterior bathroom orhallway, away fromwindows. Crouch face-down and protect yourhead with your arms. Ifthere is no time to dothat, get under the seatsor pews, protectingyour head with yourarms or hands.

— Source: NationalOceanic and AtmosphericAdministration/Departmentof Commerce.

• Keep your family together andwait for emergency personnel to arrive.

• Carefully render aid to thosewho are injured.

• Stay away from power lines andpuddles with wires in them; they maystill be carrying electricity.

• Watch your step to avoid bro-ken glass, nails and other sharpobjects.

• Stay out of any heavily damagedhouses or buildings; they could col-lapse at any time.

• Do not use matches or lighters,in case of leaking natural gas pipes orfuel tanks nearby.

• Remain calm and alert, and lis-ten for information and instructionsfrom emergency crews or local offi-cials.

— Source: National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration/Depart-ment of Commerce.

Tips for after the tornado

Kyle Phillips / The Norman Transcript

The marina at Lake Thunderbird was destroyed May 10, 2010. Many boats docked at the marina werethrown onto the shore or piled atop each other. More than 400 boats were damaged or destroyed.

• From Page 8


Jerry Laizure / The Norman Transcript

A killer tornado roars into south Oklahoma City on Monday, May 3, 1999.

May3,

1999SouthwestOklahoma

City &Moore

more than36 dead

583 injured



Despite having his neighborhood flattened by an F5 tornado, a Moore residentwas able to keep his sense of humor. An estimated 1,800 homes were destroyed.

6:26 p.m. May 3, 1999This violent, long-lived tornado was

the most infamous of nearly 60 tornadoesthat struck central Oklahoma during anunprecedented outbreak on this Mondayafternoon and evening.

It formed about 6:26 p.m. about 2 milessouth southwest of Amber, and grewrapidly to monstrous proportions as itheaded northeast, paralleling Interstate44.

It moved across Bridge Creek andrural parts of northwest Newcastle,causing continuous F4 and sporadic F5damage. The tornado was estimated to bea mile in diameter in this area.

It weakened to F2-F3 intensity andnarrowed to less than a quarter-mile inwidth as it crossed I-44 and the SouthCanadian River northeast of Newcastleand entered far south Oklahoma City,southwest of 149th Street and MayAvenue about 7:12 p.m.

But it regained F4-F5 intensity and

widened again to half- to occasionallythree-quarters of a mile as it movednortheast across south Oklahoma City,entering Moore just west and north of12th and Santa Fe streets.

Still moving northeast and still produc-ing F4 and occasional F5 damage, itcrossed Interstate 35 at the Shields Blvd.junction and moved into northeastMoore, at which point it weakenedslightly to F3-sporadic F4 intensity andbegan a gradual turn to the left.

This turn took the tornado more to thenorth, northeast as it crossed Interstate240 between Bryant Ave. and SunnylaneRoad.

It crossed southeast Oklahoma Cityand entered Del City as an F4 tornado,width of a third- to a half-mile, along SE44th Street between Sunnylane andSooner roads, and continued north,northeast to Tinker Air force Base, nearSE 29th Street and Sooner Road.

Moore tornado still tops Oklahoma record books

• Continued on Page 13


Continuing to turn slowly, itmoved almost due north butmaintained F4 intensity as it crossedInterstate 40 just east of SoonerRoad and continued north tobetween SE 15th Street and RenoAvenue.

The tornado then weakenedrapidly to F0/F1 intensity as itcrossed Reno Ave., and at 7:48 p.m.dissipated about three blocks northof Reno between Sooner Road andAir Depot Blvd.

Totals from this tornado include36 direct fatalities (12 in BridgeCreek, 1 in Newcastle, 9 in S/SEOklahoma City, 5 in Moore, 6 in DelCity, and 3 in Midwest City), 5indirect fatalities during or shortlyafter the tornado, 583 direct injuries,numerous indirect injuries (toomany to count), 1,800 homesdestroyed, and 2,500 homes dam-aged. It left a 38-mile-long path ofdestruction.

— Source: National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration


American flags fly over the rubble of a Moore neighborhood two days after it was leveled by a killer tornado that blew throughcentral Oklahoma killing over 40 people. Additional photo, Page 15.

• From Page 12


OnedaylaterMay 4, 1999

Moore,Okla.

$1 billion in damage



March tornadoes• The 10-yearaverage U.S. tornadocount for the entiremonth of March is 87tornadoes

• The record for anyentire month of Marchis 180 tornadoes setin 1976.

Storm PredictionCenter report forMarch 2, 2012:

• 94 tornado reports

• 208 wind reports

• 410 hail reports

A destroyedtravel trailer sitsamong treesstripped of theirlimbs andleaves Tues-day, May 25,2011, atCanadianRecreationArea on CantonLake after atornado madea direct hit onthe camp-ground.

Billy Hefton /

Enid News & Eagle

No. Many towns which have not suffered atornado strike contain well-meaning peoplewho perpetuate these myths and legends; butthere is no basis for them besides the happen-stance lack of a tornado. Many other townsused to have such myths before they were hit,including extreme examples such as Topeka,Kan., (1968, F5 damage, 16 killed) and Waco,Texas, (1953, F5 damage, 114 killed).

Violent tornadoes have crossed rivers of allshapes and sizes. The deadliest tornado in U.S.history (tri-state tornado of March 18, 1925, F5damage, 695 killed) roared undeterred acrossthe Mississippi River, as have numerous otherviolent tornadoes.

Almost every major river east of the Rockieshas been crossed by a significant tornado, ashave high elevations in the Appalachians,

Rockies and Sierra Nevada. The Salt Lake City tornado of Aug. 11, 1999,

crossed a canyon — descending one side andrising up the other about halfway along its path.

In 1987, a violent tornado (rated F4) crossedthe Continental Divide in Yellowstone NationalPark.

— Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-istration/Department of Commerce.

Is it true that a town’s geography can protect it from tornadoes?

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Tornado tips for motorists

1 A “tornado warning” means a twister is devel-oping or is actually on the ground. It is more

severe than a “tornado watch,” which means condi-tions are favorable for the development of severe thun-derstorms, which may or may not spawn twisters.

2 If a tornado warning is issued for your area,leave your vehicle immediately and seek shel-

ter.

3 Never try to outrun a tornado. Your car or pick-up will offer no protection from a twister. It is

impossible to know which direction a tornado maydecide to go.

4 Seek shelter indoors. A basement is safest.Closets or small interior rooms are best. Get

under a sturdy piece of furniture and stay away fromsouth and west walls and all windows.

5 If you are caught in the open, with no indoorbuildings available to you, find a ditch, ravine

or low-lying area and lie flat. Stay away from road-way overpasses.

6 Do not seek shelter in a mobile home. Thesestructures, even if tied down, offer little protec-

tion from tornadoes and should be abandoned.

7 Remember, wet roads mean poor traction. Con-ditions are most dangerous during the first 10

minutes of a heavy downpour as oil and debris washaway. Driving on wet roads in the rain is just like dri-ving on ice. Slow down. Take it easy. Allow extra timeto reach your destination.

8 Never use your motor vehicle’s cruise controlfeature in rainy weather.

— Source: AAA Oklahoma

Each year, many Oklahoma motorists are unexpectedly caught in tornadic storms. AAA says there are impor-tant do’s and don’ts to be aware of should you be driving when a tornado warning is issued.


An F5 tornado wrapped this truck around a tree May 3, 1999, as it sweptacross Moore.


Constructing basic disaster supply kitsEmergency kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommendeditems:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, fordrinking and sanitation

• Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmos-

pheric Administration Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both• Flashlight and extra batteries• First aid kit• Whistle to signal for help• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct

tape to shelter-in-place• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities• Manual can opener for food• Local maps• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

— Source: www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basicemergency kit, you may want to consider adding the fol-lowing items:

• Prescription medications and glasses• Infant formula and diapers• Pet food and extra water for your pet• Cash or traveler's checks and change• Important family documents such as copies of

insurance policies, identification and bank accountrecords in a waterproof, portable container. You can usethe Emergency Financial First Aid Kit developed byOperation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help youorganize your information.

• Emergency reference material such as a first aidbook or free information from this website.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weath-er climate.

• Complete change of clothing, including a longsleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider

additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.• Household chlorine bleach and medicine drop-

per – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach,bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emer-gency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 dropsof regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.Do not use scented, color-safe or bleaches with addedcleaners.

• Fire extinguisher• Matches in a waterproof container• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and

plastic utensils• Paper and pencil• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for chil-

dren

— Source: www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-sup-plies-kit

Additional safety supplies

More emergencykit tips,Page 21

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Supplies for unique needs: Infants

Remember the unique needs of your family members,including growing children, when making your emergencysupply kit and family emergency plan.

For Baby:• Formula• Diapers• Bottles• Powdered milk• Medications• Moist towelettes• Diaper rash ointmentFor more information about the care and feeding of infants

and young children during an emergency, visit the Califor-nia Dept. of Public Health website.

For Adult:• Denture needs• Contact lenses and supplies• Extra eye glassesAsk your doctor about storing prescription medications

such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulinand other prescription drugs.

If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth.It is possible that you will not have heat. Think about yourclothing and bedding supplies. Be sure to include one com-plete change of clothing and shoes per person, including:

• Jacket or coat• Long pants• Long-sleeved shirt

— Source: www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

First Aid Kit

In any emergency a family member or you yourself may suffer an injury. Ifyou have these basic first aid supplies you are better prepared to help yourloved ones when they are hurt.

Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency.You may consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the followingthings can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontam-ination.

• Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to Latex• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes• Antibiotic ointment• Burn ointment• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant• Thermometer• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart med-

icine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to accountfor expiration dates.

• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure mon-itoring equipment and supplies

Nonprescription drugs:• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever• Anti-diarrhea medication• Antacid• LaxativeOther first aid supplies:• Scissors• Tweezers• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant— Source: www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

Tips on constructing basic first aid supply kits

Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle

A mattress is impaled on a tree Tuesday, May 25, 2011,at Canadian Recreation Area on Canton Lake after atornado made a direct hit on the campground.


Anita Pere / Stillwater NewsPress

Splintered trees, damaged vehicles and debris litter the ground May 23, 2011,after a tornado struck Stillwater.

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How to save your cell phoneA working cell phone can help save your life. A wet cell phone is useless. According to a news release from Geek Squad Tech Support, a division of Best Buy, there are steps will save that cell phone.

Here are the itemsGeek Squad recom-mends for a cellphone rescue kit:

1 A large airtightcontainer

2 A large bag ofuncooked white

rice (one to twopounds)

3 A silica packetrescued from

some source such as apill bottle or bag ofjerky

1 Turn off thephone and

remove the battery

2 Dry the phone(inside and

out) with a clean cloth

3 Secure theitems for your

rescue kit

4 Take the silicapacket from the

bottle or bag

5 Place thephone and the

silica packet inairtight container

6 Seal thecontainer and

leave overnight

7 Put the batteryin the phone

and turn it on

Here are the seven steps to save a wetcell phone using the silica packet:

1 Turn off thephone and

remove the battery

2 Dry the phone(inside and

out) with a clean cloth

3 Secure theitems for your

rescue kit

4 Take thecontainer and

pour the uncookedrice inside

5 Bury the phonein rice

6 Seal thecontainer and

leave overnight

7 Put the batteryin the phone

and turn it on

Here are the seven steps to save a wetcell phone using the rice:

AP Photo

A resident uses her cell phoneWednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, whilewalking through a storm-dam-aged neighborhood just east ofdowntown Branson, Mo.

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The Storm Prediction Centerdefines the modern era of tornadorecordkeeping as 1950-present,the time frame of its database.

Currently, the record year since1950 is 2011, when tornadoeskilled 550 people — 142 in Joplin,Mo. alone — in 15 states.

Before 1950, several years hadnearly similar or higher tornadodeath tolls; but the exact numbersare uncertain because of morearchaic communications, morepeople missing and unaccountedfor, unknown numbers of unre-ported deaths, and then-custom-ary exclusion of certain groupsfrom death tolls in some olderevents.

The year 1925 had the greatesttoll with 794 known tornadodeaths.

— Source: National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration/Departmentof Commerce.

What was the deadliest tornado year in the modern era?An optimisticJoplinresidentembellishedthe sign infront ofJoplin HighSchool withduct tape.The signexpressed avery loudmessage:We are onthe mend;there is hopefor ourfuture. The towntook a directhit from atornado May22, 2011.

Bill Stewart / The

Joplin Globe


Damaging wind,driving rain andhail alwayspunctuate springand summer inOklahoma. Flashflooding iscommon.Here, severalOG&E powerpoles on Nor-man’s east sidewere snappedwhen a severestorm blewthrough north-east Norman inAugust 2010.

Jerry Laizure /

The Norman Transcript

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What's the difference betweena flood and a flash flood?

A flood occurs when prolonged rainfallover several days, intense rainfall over ashort period of time, or an ice or debris jamcauses a river or stream to overflow andflood the surrounding area. Melting snowcan combine with rain in the winter and ear-ly spring; severe thunderstorms can bringheavy rain in the spring and summer; ortropical cyclones can bring intense rainfallto the coastal and inland states in the sum-mer and fall.

A flash flood occurs within six hours of arain event, or after a dam or levee failure, orafter a sudden release of water held by anice or debris jam, and flash floods can catchpeople unprepared. You will not alwayshave a warning that these deadly, suddenfloods are coming. So, if you live in areasprone to flash floods, plan now to protectyour family and property. The use of theword “flash” here is synonymous with“urgent.”

— Source: National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration/Department of Commerce.

A man walksdown flooded

LahomaAvenue on a

June 2011evening after

a storm hitNorman.

Flash floodingleft many

areas of thecity under

water.

Kyle Phillips /

The Norman

Transcript

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Several factors contribute to flash flood-ing. The two key elements are rainfall inten-sity and duration.

Intensity is the rate of rainfall, and dura-tion is how long the rain lasts. Topography,soil conditions, and ground cover also playan important role.

Flash floods occur within a few minutesor hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or lev-ee failure, or a sudden release of water heldby an ice jam.

Flash floods can roll boulders, tear outtrees, destroy buildings and bridges, andscour out new channels.

Rapidly rising water can reach heights of30 feet or more. Furthermore, flash flood-producing rains also can trigger cata-strophic mud slides.

You will not always have a warning thatthese deadly, sudden floods are coming.Most flood deaths are due to flash.

Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, thunderstormsrepeatedly moving over the same area, orheavy rains from hurricanes and tropicalstorms.

Occasionally, floating debris or ice canaccumulate at a natural or man-madeobstruction and restrict the flow of water.Water held back by the ice jam or debrisdam can cause flooding upstream. Subse-quent flash flooding can occur downstreamif the obstruction should suddenly release.

— Source: National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration/Department of Commerce.

How do flash floods occur?

June 9, 1972 Black HillsRapid City, S.D.15 inches of rain in fivehours238 fatalities$166 million in damages

Melissa Elder / For The Transcript

Signs across Oklahoma warn driversto the flash-flood danger. According toNOAA, most flood deaths occur duringflash flooding. Melissa Elder / For The Transcript

June 14, 1990 Shadyside, Ohio 4 inches of rain in less than twohours produced a 30-foot high wallof water26 dead$6million to $8million in damages

By the numbers: Flash floods

Aug. 1, 1985Cheyenne, Wyo. 6 inches of rain in three hours 12 deaddamages $61million

— Source: National Weather Service


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If caught in a wildfire

• Don’t try to outrun the blaze.Instead, look for a body of watersuch as a pond or river to crouchin.

• If there is no water nearby,find a depressed, cleared area withlittle vegetation, lie low to theground, and cover your body withwet clothing, a blanket, or soil. Staylow and covered until the fire pass-es.

• Protect your lungs bybreathing air closest to the ground,through a moist cloth, if possible,to avoid inhaling smoke.

— Source: http://environ-ment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disas-ters/wildfire-safety-tips/

McALester News-Capital Photo

A 2011 grass fire burns near McAlester. Units from the Alderson Fire Department responded to the blaze.


Wildfires unpredictableUnlike many natural disasters, most wildfires are caused by people—and can be prevented by peo-

ple, too. Meteorologists are not yet able to forecast wildfire outbreaks, so people in fire-prone areas shouldplan ahead and prepare to evacuate with little notice. Here are some tips on how to prevent wildfires andwhat to do if you’re caught in the middle of one.

How to Prevent a Wildfire

1 Contact 911, your local fire department, orthe park service if you notice an unattended

or out-of-control fire.

2 Never leave a campfire unattended. Com-pletely extinguish the fire—by dousing it

with water and stirring the ashes until cold—beforesleeping or leaving the campsite.

3 When camping, take care when using andfueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters. Make

sure lighting and heating devices are cool beforerefueling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and

store fuel away from appliances.

4 Do not discard cigarettes, matches, andsmoking materials from moving vehicles, or

anywhere on park grounds. Be certain to completelyextinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.

5 Follow local ordinances when burning yardwaste. Avoid backyard burning in windy con-

ditions, and keep a shovel, water, and fire retar-dant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flam-mables from yard when burning.

— Source: http://environment.nationalgeograph-ic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfire-safety-tips/

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Kkyle Phillips / The Norman Transcript

A Goldsby family loses buildings near their home in 2011 as wildfires spread across Cleveland County .

Before You Leave, Prepare Your House• Remove combustibles, including firewood, yard waste, barbecue grills, and fuel cans, from your yard.

• Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent a draft.

• Shut off natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies.

• Fill any large vessels—pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, or tubs—with water to slow or discourage fire.

Evacuation Tips• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

• Know your evacuation route ahead of time and prepare an evacuation checklist and emergency supplies.

• Wear protective clothing and footwear to protect yourself from flying sparks and ashes.

— Source: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfire-safety-tips/


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A dock collapses under the weight of snow near Pryor.

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Clearing snow and iceClearing snow and ice from driveways and sidewalks is hard work. To prevent injuries, follow

these safety tips from the National Safety Council, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,and other prevention organizations.

1 Dress warmly, paying special attention tofeet, hands, nose, and ears.

2 Avoid shoveling snow if you are out ofshape. If you have a history of heart trou-

ble, do not shovel snow unless your doctor saysit's okay.

3 Do light warm-up exercises before shov-eling and take frequent breaks.

4 If possible, push snow in front of you. Ifyou have to lift it, pick up small amounts

and lift with your legs, not your back. Do not tosssnow over your shoulder or to the side.

5 Don't drink alcohol before or while shov-eling snow. Never smoke while shoveling.

6 Use rock salt or de-icing compounds toremove ice from steps, walkways, and

sidewalks. Sand placed on walkways may alsohelp prevent slipping.

7 If you use a snow blower (also called asnow thrower), follow the printed safety

guidelines with the machine

8 Read the owner's manual before startingyour snow blower. Make sure you under-

stand all the recommended safety steps.

9 Make sure all people and pets are out ofthe way before you begin snow blowing.

10 Do not put your hand in the snow blow-er to remove impacted snow or debris.

Turn the machine off and wait a few seconds. Thenuse a stick or broom handle to remove the mate-rial.

11 Do not leave the snow blower unattend-ed when it is running.

12 Fill up with fuel before you start, whenthe engine is cool.

— Source: www.kidsource.com/safety/win-ter.safety.cold.html

The McAlester News-Capital File Photo

In 2009, residents prepare for snow and ice expected in the McAlester area.

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Follow these safety tips from Cen-ters for Disease Control and Preven-tion, the National Fire Protection Asso-ciation, and the U.S. ConsumerProduct Safety Commission to preventinjuries and deaths related to heatingyour home.

• Install a smoke alarm near bed-rooms and on each floor of your home.Test it monthly. If it has a 9-volt battery,change the battery once a year.

• Install a carbon monoxide (CO)alarm near bedrooms and on eachfloor of your home. If your alarmsounds, the U.S. Consumer ProductSafety Commission suggests that youpress the reset button, call emergencyservices (911 or your local fire depart-ment), and immediately move to freshair (either outdoors or near an opendoor or window). Know the symptomsof CO poisoning: headache, fatigue,dizziness, and shortness of breath. Ifyou experience any of these symp-toms, get fresh air right away and con-tact a doctor for proper diagnosis.

• Make sure heating equipment isinstalled properly. Have a trained spe-cialist inspect and tune up your heatingsystem each year.

• Keep portable space heaters atleast 3 feet from anything that canburn, including bedding, furniture, andclothing. Never drape clothing over aspace heater to dry.

• Keep children and pets away

from space heaters. Never leave chil-dren in a room alone when a spaceheater is in use.

• If you use a kerosene heater, useonly the fuel recommended by themanufacturer. Never put gasoline in akerosene heater--it could explode.Before you refuel the heater, turn it offand let it cool down. Refuel outsideonly.

• When using a kerosene heater,keep a door open to the rest of thehouse or open a window slightly. Thiswill reduce the chance of carbonmonoxide build-up in the room.

• Have your fireplace chimney andflue inspected each year and cleaned ifneeded. Open the flue and use a stur-dy fireplace screen when you have afire. Burn only untreated wood; neverburn paper or pine branches--piecescan float out the chimney and igniteyour roof, a neighbor's roof, or nearbytrees.

• If you use a wood-burning stove,have the chimney connection and fluechecked each year. Make sure thestove is placed on an approved stoveboard to protect the floor from heat andcoals.

• Never use your range or oven toheat your home, even for a short time.

— Source: www.kidsource.com/safety/winter.safety.cold.html

Keep your home safe, warm

Chase Rheam / The Stillwater NewsPress

Ehren Epperson, left, and Zach Musgrave walk along Husband Street around NinthStreet in Stillwater during a 2011snow storm.

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During the bliz-zards of February2011, an SUVteeters on a bridgeabutment at 36thAvenue NW inNorman . Noinjuries werereported. Thevehicle latertoppled into thecreek below.

Jerry Laizure /

The Norman Transcript

Weathering the Storm

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Transcript of Weathering the Storm