Flash Flood — Kingfisher, Oklahoma

2007-08-19 · near Kingfisher, Kingfisher, Oklahoma

Event narrative

Historic flooding impacted the area in and around the city of Kingfisher. Four feet of water was flowing over HWY 33 in Kingfisher. Four to five feet of water was flowing over HWY 81 between Kingfisher and Dover. Several cars were stalled due to water over HWY 81 north of Okarche. An elderly couple had to be rescued by an OHP helicopter after their car was washed off US HWY 81. Both sustained minor injuries. A 52-year old man died as he tried to flee his vehicle after it had been washed off of HWY 33 14 miles west of Kingfisher. Several homes and businesses sustained major flood damage, with others faring slightly better. The First Baptist Church had 20,000 gallons of water in the basement, which included the kitchen. Most appliances sustained damage and most were a total loss. Monetary damages were estimated.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Erin, the fifth named storm of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane season, developed quickly over the northeast Gulf of Mexico on the 15th, before moving onshore during the morning hours of the 16th. Erin moved onshore near Lamar, TX as a weak tropical storm, but was quickly downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved over land. The tropical depression moved northwest over the Edwards Plateau toward west Texas. Erin maintained her depression status as it then began to move northeast into southwest Oklahoma between Hollis and Erick during the afternoon hours of Saturday, August 18th. A very tropical airmass was in place along and east of this feature, extending into western and central Oklahoma. Heavy rainfall developed along and east of the center, which moved slowly to the northeast. Low-level wind shear north and east of Erin increased throughout the evening, with several tornadoes reported in Kiowa, Washita, and Grady counties during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Damage was reported east of Hobart, and in Washita county south and east of Cordell. As the evening progressed, a strong low-level jet developed, with additional thunderstorms developing over southwest and central Oklahoma. Remarkably, the center of the tropical depression strengthened between 1 and 7 AM, with a compact area of sustained winds of 35 to 45 MPH concentrated around the center of the depression. Wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph were also reported over parts of central Oklahoma at this time. As with the wind speeds, thunderstorms intensities increased, with two additional tornadoes reported over central Oklahoma Sunday morning. In addition to tornadoes and very strong winds, rainfall rates of over three inches per hour were common, with significant flash flooding reported in numerous counties. Rainfall amounts exceeded five inches over a large area, with some locations receiving eight to ten inches. Rivers and creeks easily exceeded their banks, with water also rising quickly in many towns. Dozens of people were rescued by boat and helicopter as numerous homes and businesses quickly took on water. Unfortunately, six people lost their lives due to the flooding. Monetary values were estimated.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.8500, -97.9300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 58255. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.