Flash Flood in Atoka County, Oklahoma

Multiple sources confirmed significant and widespread flash flooding on the morning of June 23rd in and near the outlined event area. This included numerous roadways that were significantly flooded, with several high-water rescues reported, including along U.S. Highway 69/75. Some roadways were also washed out or collapsed. This flooding resulted in the issuance of a rare Flash Flood Emergency, the first across the WFO Norman Forecast Area since May of 2019. The event time is approximate.

An active severe weather and flooding event impacted the WFO Norman Forecast Area form the morning into early evening of the 23rd. An initial complex of severe thunderstorms moved from northwestern into southwestern Oklahoma and eventually western-north Texas during this time, producing reports of large hail and observations of severe winds. A separate complex of slow-moving thunderstorms entered southeastern Oklahoma during the mid-morning, fostered by ascent atop a strong outflow boundary. Slow storm movement and rich boundary layer moisture combined to yield significant flash flooding across portions of Atoka County, Oklahoma. Eventually, these two separate areas of thunderstorms merged across central Oklahoma, yielding additional severe weather (mainly damaging winds) and flooding during the afternoon and early evening hours.