Chickasha-Blanchard tornado
In the late afternoon hours of May 24, 2011, a large and extremely violent EF4 tornado impacted the southern side of Chickasha, Oklahoma and rural areas around Blanchard and Newcastle. The tornado, referred to as the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado, killed one person and injured 48 others as the tornado traveled a path length of 33.3 miles (53.6 km) with a peak path width of 880 yards (0.50 miles). This powerful tornado was part of the tornado outbreak sequence of May 21–26, 2011 and was one of the strongest tornadoes in the sequence and was tied for the second strongest tornado of the May 24 outbreak, behind the El Reno–Piedmont tornado.
What was the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado?
The Chickasha–Blanchard tornado was an extremely violent EF4 storm that impacted southern Chickasha and rural areas near Blanchard and Newcastle, Oklahoma, on May 24, 2011. It originated as part of a larger tornado outbreak sequence occurring from May 21 through May 26. This specific event caused major structural destruction across three counties. Researchers have also identified it as an EF5 candidate in later scientific literature.
What was the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado wind speed?
The peak wind speed reached approximately 190 mph according to damage surveys. Investigators assessed these speeds by examining structural failure, ground scouring, and the displacement of heavy vehicles. While some localized damage suggested potential EF5 intensity, official ratings remained capped at EF4 due to specific construction factors. One study recently suggested that the storm was an EF5 candidate given revised criteria for extreme wind speeds.
What was the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado path?
The tornado touched down south of Chickasha at 5:06 p.m. CDT. It tracked northeast through Grady County and entered McClain County, eventually passing west of downtown Newcastle. The storm dissipated north of the Canadian River after maintaining a total path length of 33.3 miles. Throughout its life cycle, it reached a peak path width of 880 yards.
How many people died in the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado?
The storm resulted in one confirmed fatality. A 24-year-old woman died in Grady County when the tornado lifted her mobile home and dropped it on her. In addition to the fatality, the event injured 48 people. No injuries or deaths were reported in either McClain County or Cleveland County despite the significant structural damage across those regions.
What did the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado destroy?
The tornado demolished numerous homes, including several well-built brick houses that were swept from their foundations. It destroyed multiple manufactured homes, obliterated outbuildings, and caused severe damage to apartment complexes and businesses like a local Dollar Tree. The vortex also debarked trees, tore up asphalt, and tossed vehicles hundreds of yards from their original locations. In Grady County alone, 72 homes and businesses sustained total destruction.
What caused the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado?
A strong upper-level trough advancing from the southwestern United States triggered the storm. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico provided dew points ranging from 18 to 21 degrees Celsius and CAPE values up to 4000 J/kg. A fast-moving shortwave pushed a dryline into western Oklahoma, creating intense atmospheric instability. Wind shear and storm-relative helicity values exceeding 500 m2s-2 further promoted the development of the violent convective thunderstorm.
What happened after the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado?
Local authorities initiated emergency operations immediately following the storm. The Grady County Sheriff requested additional support from neighboring jurisdictions to assist in the response. Crews accounted for 261 impacted structures in Grady County, documenting 46 properties with major damage and 143 with minor damage. Recovery efforts eventually allowed businesses like the damaged Dollar Tree to reopen in 2012.
Chickasha-Blanchard Tornado Track
The mapped ground track below shows the surveyed touchdown point, damage corridor, and dissipation coordinates recorded by NWS field crews. The Chickasha-Blanchard tornado traveled 33.3 miles across Grady County, McClain County, Cleveland County. Coordinates are derived from the official SPC historical tornado database.
Was the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado an EF5?
Official surveys rated the tornado as an EF4, though recent academic research identifies it as an EF5 candidate.
When did the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado occur?
The tornado touched down on May 24, 2011, at 5:06 p.m. CDT.
Did the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado hit Oklahoma City?
No, the tornado remained south of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, tracking through Grady, McClain, and Cleveland counties.
How many injuries did the Chickasha–Blanchard tornado cause?
The tornado injured 48 people throughout its path.