Ticker for June 23, 2000

                
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June 23, 2000      June 23, 2000      June 23, 2000      June 23, 2000


Today in Oklahoma Weather History

June 22-23, 1948 saw one of the deadliest flash flooding events in
Oklahoma history.  According to Associate State Climatologist for
Service Howard Johnson:

Flood waters from Deer Creek covered U.S. Highway 66 near Hydro,
drowning eleven persons. The "bucket surveys" that were commonly
done then in the aftermath of such events showed, among other
things:

* 20 inches of rain fell into a two-foot by six-foot stock tank
two miles east-northeast of Hydro between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m.
* 20 inches of rain fell into a 55-gallon oil drum located four
miles east-northeast of between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m.
* 19 inches of rain fell into a 55-gallon drum in the town of Hydro
* 18.5 inches of rain fell into a 55-gallon drum between 3:30 p.m.
and shortly after midnight
* 17 inches of rain fell into a 55-gallon drum located nine miles
west-northwest of Geary between 4:30 p.m. and 6 a.m
* 17 inches of rain fell into a water tank in the town of Greenfield
* 15.75 inches of rain fell 3.5 miles northwest of Geary between
3:40 p.m. and shortly after midnight
* 14.75 inches of rain fell into a stock tank located seven miles
northeast of Geary between 5:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Severe flooding also ocurred in Kingfisher, with water reaching the
tops of parked cars (now these are 1948 cars, mind you).  The flooding
in Kingfisher was in response to 10.2 inches of rain measured in a 3/4"
diameter by 5.5 inch tall glass rain gage, straight sides between
5:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.

According to Climatological Data this downpour was likely the second
heaviest ever recorded in Oklahoma at the time. On September 4, 1940,
unofficial measurements, investigated and approved by the Division of
Water Resources of the Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board,
indicated about 24 inches of rainfall in a 10-hour period between
Maramec and Hallett in southern Pawnee County. The official record at
the time was 15.5 inches at Sapulpa, September 3-4, 1940.