Flash Flood — Caddo, Oklahoma

2007-08-18 to 2007-08-19 · near Anadarko, Caddo, Oklahoma

Event narrative

High winds and torrential rainfall pounded much of Caddo overnight, with widespread flash flooding reported. While seeking shelter from the severe weather, an elderly lady drowned while in her storm shelter. A car carrying a mother and her two children was swept off the roadway, but all three were rescued without injury. In Fort Cobb, a truck was swept off of HWY 146. The driver was able to escape without injury. One hundred homes sustained at least minor damage. Several of these sustained significant damage. In addition to the numerous streets that were closed in Caddo county, 150 bridges also had to be closed. 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 → (35.0700, -98.2500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 58315. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.