Flash Flood in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

Significant roadway flooding occurred along the U.S. Highway 377 corridor north of Pontotoc. This included at least one high-water rescue and several road closures. 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.