Lone Grove Tornado Map
During the evening hours of February 10, 2009, a deadly, long-lived, and violent nocturnal tornado that was part of a small tornado outbreak tracked 37 miles (59 km) through portions of Jefferson County, Love County, and Carter County in Oklahoma, after initially touching down in Montague County, Texas, near Spanish Fort. The tornado devastated the city of Lone Grove, killing eight people, injuring another 46, and severely damaging and destroying numerous businesses, mobile homes, and single-family homes throughout the area. Six of the fatalities occurred in mobile homes, with the seventh being in a well-built home that was destroyed at EF4 intensity. The eighth fatality occurred when a truck driving on Interstate 35 was directly hit by the tornado, resulting in the driver's death. Around 114 homes were destroyed, with some mobile homes reported to have been completely obliterated. The tornado was the deadliest and most intense to strike Oklahoma during the month of February since reliable records began in 1950, and had the highest death toll of any tornado in the United States in 2009.
The path of the Lone Grove tornado
On the evening of Tuesday, February 10, 2009, a tornado touched down 16 miles south of Cornish. Over the next 37.0 miles it traveled northeast across Texas and Oklahoma, passing through Lone Grove, before lifting 10 miles northeast of Lone Grove.
At its widest the damage path was 880 yards (0.5 miles) across. It was rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a violent tornado. It killed 8 people and injured 46.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from the Storm Prediction Center's survey record, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
What was the Lone Grove tornado?
The Lone Grove tornado was a violent, long-lived nocturnal tornado that struck on February 10, 2009. It tracked 37 miles through portions of Texas and Oklahoma, causing significant destruction in the city of Lone Grove. Meteorologists rated the storm at EF4 intensity due to the severity of the damage inflicted. It remains the deadliest and most intense tornado to strike Oklahoma during the month of February since records began in 1950.
What was the Lone Grove tornado wind speed?
The Lone Grove tornado reached a peak intensity of EF4 strength during its lifecycle. Meteorological surveys recorded maximum wind speeds of 170 mph (270 km/h) as it approached the city. These winds proved sufficient to destroy well-built residences and loft vehicles. The intensity measurements correspond to the extensive structural damage observed throughout the storm path.
What was the Lone Grove tornado path?
The tornado touched down near Spanish Fort in Montague County, Texas, at 6:48 p.m. It moved northeast, crossing the Red River of the South into Jefferson County, Oklahoma. The track continued through Love County and into Carter County, where it struck Lone Grove. The vortex finally dissipated at 7:43 p.m. east of Springer, Oklahoma, covering a total ground path length of 37 miles.
How many people died in the Lone Grove tornado?
The Lone Grove tornado caused eight fatalities and left 46 people injured. Six deaths occurred within the Bar K Mobile Home Park, while a seventh victim died in a destroyed well-built home. The eighth fatality involved a truck driver on Interstate 35 whose vehicle toppled during the storm. Most of these deaths resulted from blunt-force trauma to the head.
What did the Lone Grove tornado destroy?
The tornado destroyed approximately 114 homes and mobile homes throughout its path. It leveled 37 of the 41 mobile homes in the Bar K Mobile Home Park. The storm also destroyed Lone Grove's only furniture store and caused severe damage to the Ardmore Adventist Academy. Power infrastructure sustained heavy damage, leaving 3,500 people without electricity in the Carter County area.
What caused the Lone Grove tornado?
A combination of low-level moisture, significant surface heating, and cold air at high altitudes created an unstable atmosphere on February 10, 2009. A surface front triggered thunderstorm development by 1 p.m. that afternoon. One of these storms evolved into a tornadic supercell over northern Texas by 5:30 p.m. The supercell moved into an environment primed for tornadic development, leading to the touchdown near Spanish Fort.
What happened after the Lone Grove tornado?
Governor Brad Henry declared a state of emergency for 17 counties and deployed the Oklahoma National Guard to secure the area. Relief organizations including the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army provided food and shelter to survivors. Federal agencies like FEMA established a recovery center and provided financial grants for home repairs. Lawmakers later discussed mandates for storm shelters in mobile home parks to prevent future tragedies.
