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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oklahoma is drought free after nearly 6 years, but will it last? Weather experts weigh in
For the first time in nearly six years, the state of Oklahoma is drought-free. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported zero areas of drought across the state for the first time since July 2019. Over the past seven months, widespread and heavy rains have replenished soil moisture and restored water levels in local lakes, state climatologist Gary McManus said on the June 5 Oklahoma Mesonet ticker. First, November 2024 was the wettest November on state record. Then, in April 2025, Oklahoma experienced a statewide average rainfall of 8.74 inches, surpassing the previous April record of 8.32 inches set in 1942. Phil Ware, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, said rainfall was above normal in May, as well, and so far in June. "We just had kind of repeated rounds of showers and storms over the Southern Plains," Ware said. "So that basically meant that we had several low pressure systems that moved across the plains, and we had a lot of moisture that was brought up from the Gulf of Mexico. And that provided the fuel for, in general, a lot of rain in April ... So the three consecutive months of above normal rainfalls is what put a big dent in the drought." via Imgflip The most recent drought episode really began in August of 2021, McManus said. During the two years before that, there were small areas of drought throughout the state. It was a year later, August 2022, when the city of Oklahoma City drew water from Canton Lake to replenish its drinking water source at Lake Hefner — the first time since 2013, which devastated the lake and the surrounding community, which relied on the tourism income the lake brought. Not only did Oklahoma communities struggle with drinking water, but the agricultural industry was impacted heavily, McManus said. Crops were lost or not able to thrive to begin with, bringing down financial losses on Oklahoma farmers. "When you look back at the impacts, it was really probably a multi-billion-dollar disaster for the state of Oklahoma," McManus said. "When you're looking at agriculture alone, you're well over a billion dollars through (the second half of 2021 through 2024)." There are other impacts, too, McManus said. Tourism took a hit, as well as homeowners who dealt with damage to foundations from contracting soils. And, he added, Oklahomans "can't forget the fire seasons that we had during that time frame, too." Conditions are favorable to hold the drought at bay, at least for the next few weeks, McManus said. But especially in an Oklahoma summer, what's called a "flash drought" can happen very quickly. McManus added that during the summer, while we may tire of the heat, too much rainfall can be a bad thing. "If we continue to get too much rainfall, you're putting Oklahoma's winter wheat crop in jeopardy," McManus said. "This time of year, you really want to rainfall to start slacking off and the heat to come back and cure that wheat crop." Summer outlooks suggest potential challenges ahead. The Climate Prediction Center predicts that Oklahoma may experience above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation throughout June, July and August. But that's not "set in stone," Ware clarified. "These seasonal outlooks, they're kind of an educated guess," Ware said. "It's based on the data that we have, but there's definitely all these examples of times where it kind of goes the opposite direction of what you'd expect." This Oklahoma Mesonet map displays drought severity levels across Oklahoma, and here's where Oklahoma stands for each level: D0 (Abnormally Dry): 9.83% D1 (Moderate Drought): Zero D2 (Severe Drought): Zero D3 (Extreme Drought): Zero D4 (Exceptional Drought): Zero These classifications are based on various data, including precipitation, soil moisture, streamflow, and vegetation health. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma is finally drought free after almost 6 years: Will it last?
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Floods kill more people than tornadoes: Here's how to stay safe amid more rain in Oklahoma
With the long-term forecast showing an above-average chance of rain for the next few weeks, dangerous flooding is a risk Oklahomans should be prepared for. As of April 29, parts of central and southwestern Oklahoma have seen as much as 6 inches of rain over the past week. The deluge has kept the soil water-logged, which makes flooding more likely. By May 2, Lawton is expected to get another 4.2 inches of rain. Oklahoma City could see 3 inches of rain, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet Ticker, a daily publication from Oklahoma Climatological Survey. "Stay weather aware, folks. And flooded roadway aware. It could save your life," wrote state Climatologist Gary McManus. Along with being the most common natural disaster in the United States, floods also kill more people on average than tornadoes. As of 2023, floods killed an average of 103 people a year over the previous decade. Tornadoes, however, caused just 48 deaths on average during the same period, according to the National Weather Service. The only other weather phenomenon with a higher mortality count is heat. Without warning: Rising water, especially flash floods, can quickly overrun dry areas. This can trap people who can't seek higher ground. Deceptive depth: Safety experts warn that driving through floodwaters is extremely dangerous. Vehicles can get stuck in deceptively deep water or be washed off the road even with a slow current. Turn around, don't drown. Tainted water: Hazardous chemicals and harmful bacteria can be found in floodwaters, which is a health threat, especially to underground water sources. Unseen dangers: Floodwater often becomes murky as it erodes the soil. Under the surface could be tree limbs, pieces of destroyed structures and even active power lines. Post-flood hazards: Structures that are supposed to stay dry, like the interior of a home, can be damaged with long-term contact with water. After the flood recedes, mold becomes a major concern. The most important first step to preparing for any severe weather situation is to be informed and have a plan for what to do. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, make sure that anything susceptible to water is kept on a shelf instead of the floor. Sandbags can help keep some water at bay. Residents should also know alternate routes to travel if there is any water on the road. Check emergency broadcasts for the latest travel advisories. If the flooding in your area is serious, officials might ask residents to evacuate. Have an emergency kit and supplies ready so that you can leave quickly if requested or ordered. Beyond that, staying safe during severe weather requires an understanding of the risks. According to just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Dangerous flash flooding, rain persists in Oklahoma: How to stay safe
