Balko, OK Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Balko is about the same as Oklahoma average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Balko is much lower than Oklahoma average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #146
| Balko, OK | 0.20 |
| Oklahoma | 0.31 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Balko, OK | 0.0000 |
| Oklahoma | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #754
| Balko, OK | 184.39 |
| Oklahoma | 363.83 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,233 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Balko, OK were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 7 | Cold: | 5 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 16 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 81 | Hail: | 2,117 | Heat: | 0 | Heavy Snow: | 53 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 56 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 790 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 14 | Winter Storm: | 26 | Winter Weather: | 7 |
| Other: | 47 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Balko, OK.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Balko, OK.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 7.9 | 1974-02-15 | 4.6 | 24 | 36.5 | -100.69 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 60 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Balko, OK.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.2 | 2001-04-10 | 2 | 36°31'N / 100°41'W | 36°41'N / 100°31'W | 12.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 450K | 0 | Beaver |
| Brief Description: An official storm damage survey was made and the tornado path length and width were estimated. Extensive damage to two homes...several barns...farm equipment...power poles...trees and a windmill. Severe thunderstorms with large hail...damaging winds...and tornadoes affected much of the Oklahoma panhandle during the evening hours. A total of one hundred and twenty-two power poles were blown down due to the wind and tornadoes in Beaver county alone. | |||||||||||
| 3.8 | 1961-06-03 | 2 | 36°38'N / 100°42'W | 1.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Beaver | |
| 9.0 | 1963-07-15 | 2 | 36°44'N / 100°36'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Beaver | |||
| 9.6 | 1982-03-19 | 4 | 36°36'N / 101°00'W | 36°49'N / 100°31'W | 29.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 7 | 250K | 0 | Beaver |
| 9.6 | 1987-03-22 | 2 | 36°33'N / 100°31'W | 36°42'N / 100°25'W | 10.00 Miles | 83 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Beaver |
| 10.4 | 1962-05-27 | 2 | 36°29'N / 100°32'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lipscomb | |||
| 11.1 | 1963-07-15 | 3 | 36°46'N / 100°37'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Beaver | |||
| 12.2 | 2008-06-18 | 2 | 36°40'N / 100°54'W | 36°31'N / 100°49'W | 12.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0K | Beaver |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado start and end times were estimated. The tornado touched down at approximately 2000 CST about six miles northwest of Bryans Corner and traveled south southeast across U.S. Highway 412 and Oklahoma State Highway 3. The Emergency Manager reported significant damage on the west side of U.S. Highway 83 and the north and south side of Oklahoma State Highway 3. The tornado knocked down thirty-five power poles and caused extensive damage to a large framed metal barn. The tornado also lifted a twenty-four foot aluminum stock trailer airborne and moved it one hundred yards. The trailer weighed approximately four thousand pounds. A residence also lost the back side and and the east half of their roof and another residence lost an outbuilding. No injuries were reported. The tornado finally dissipated at approximately 2015 CST seven miles south of Bryans Corner. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds and large hail moved across the central and eastern Oklahoma Panhandle during the evening hours. Severe thunderstorms also produced a tornado in the eastern Oklahoma Panhandle which caused extensive damage. No injuries were reported however. | |||||||||||
| 13.0 | 1978-04-30 | 2 | 36°30'N / 100°55'W | 36°35'N / 100°48'W | 8.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 14.5 | 2007-03-28 | 2 | 36°31'N / 100°23'W | 36°37'N / 100°23'W | 16.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 2 | 0 | 102K | 0K | Beaver |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado originated in northern Lipscomb County five miles east of Booker at 1816 CST. The tornado moved northward and entered Beaver County at 1828 CST. Damage occurred on a farmstead about one mile into Beaver County severely damaging several outbuildings and a grain bin. Little or no damage occurred to the home. The tornado continued north...briefly became a large multi vortex tornado...and then consolidated into one large funnel...snapping power poles and large trees. The tornado struck and destroyed a single family home at 1850 CST where two fatalities occurred. It appeared that the couple killed in the tornado did seek refuge in their small bathroom...which was destroyed. In addition to the small home...a storage barn was destroyed and two vehicles were moved as much as twenty yards. A horse trailer was destoyed as it bounced and rolled for approximately fifty yards. The tornado continued moving north for approximately another six or seven miles...damaging only power poles...fences...and trees before it lifted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms during the early evening hours produced deadly tornadoes...damaging winds and hail across the central and eastern Oklahoma panhandle. Heavy rains caused flash flooding in the eastern Oklahoma panhandle during the late night and early morning hours. A couple was killed in Beaver County when a tornado struck their home. | |||||||||||
| 14.5 | 1967-07-03 | 2 | 36°25'N / 100°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ochiltree | |
| 15.9 | 1970-09-06 | 2 | 36°44'N / 100°24'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Beaver | |||
| 15.9 | 1950-05-04 | 2 | 36°24'N / 100°48'W | 36°25'N / 100°46'W | 1.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 1 | 13 | 250K | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 17.9 | 2007-03-28 | 2 | 36°43'N / 100°24'W | 36°49'N / 100°22'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 58K | 0K | Beaver |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado began just south of the Bar-B Ranch and moved north damaging much of the ranch property...mainly along the western edge. A large horse trailer and several other utility trailers were destroyed as they bounced and rolled and/or became airborne for significant distances. The horse trailer was displaced more than one hundred and fifty yards from its original location. Several power poles and trees were snapped at the base within the path of the tornado. A large grain silo was toppled with parts of the roof of the silo carried over one hundred yards. No injuries were reported. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms during the early evening hours produced deadly tornadoes...damaging winds and hail across the central and eastern Oklahoma panhandle. Heavy rains caused flash flooding in the eastern Oklahoma panhandle during the late night and early morning hours. A couple was killed in Beaver County when a tornado struck their home. | |||||||||||
| 19.0 | 1968-06-08 | 2 | 36°50'N / 100°50'W | 0.80 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Beaver | |
| 20.8 | 1978-04-30 | 3 | 36°22'N / 100°26'W | 36°30'N / 100°14'W | 14.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lipscomb |
| 20.9 | 1987-06-02 | 2 | 36°27'N / 100°19'W | 36°32'N / 100°16'W | 6.00 Miles | 1600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lipscomb |
| 23.1 | 1977-05-01 | 2 | 36°54'N / 100°30'W | 36°56'N / 100°28'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Beaver |
| 23.5 | 1982-03-19 | 4 | 36°25'N / 101°05'W | 36°35'N / 101°00'W | 5.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 24.4 | 1957-06-10 | 2 | 36°20'N / 100°55'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ochiltree | |||
| 26.6 | 2007-05-23 | 2 | 36°18'N / 100°19'W | 36°23'N / 100°16'W | 8.00 Miles | 528 Yards | 0 | 0 | 36K | 0K | Lipscomb |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado developed over open country about eight miles south of Darrouzett and traveled northeast and then north for about eight miles. The tornado crossed Uncle Sam Road just west of State Highway 305 and then near the intersection of County Road J and U.S. Highway 305. Severe damage was reported to recently built barns of which the contents were vacated and relocated downstream...damage to many power poles...trees...outbuildings...and a four thousand pound combine...which was lifted over a fence. No injuries were reported. The tornado dissipated at 2226 CST about four miles southeast of Darrouzett just south of where County Road 17 ends...or just southeast of the intersection of State Highway 305 and State Highway 15. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours produced numerous tornadoes...large hail...prolonged flooding and flash flooding...and damaging winds across the central and northeastern Texas Panhandle. No injuries were reported. | |||||||||||
| 28.4 | 1961-06-03 | 2 | 36°54'N / 101°00'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Texas | |||
| 29.7 | 2007-05-23 | 2 | 36°10'N / 100°31'W | 36°13'N / 100°29'W | 7.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 23K | 0K | Lipscomb |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado developed just north of County Road Z and just east of State Highway 23 or about nineteen miles south of Booker at 2140 CST. The tornado traveled north northeast causing damage to trees...power poles...barns...and full oil drums. The tornado was confirmed by photographs. The tornado dissipated about twelve miles west of Lipscomb or north of Farm to Market Road 3260 and east of State Highway 23. No injuries were reported. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours produced numerous tornadoes...large hail...prolonged flooding and flash flooding...and damaging winds across the central and northeastern Texas Panhandle. No injuries were reported. | |||||||||||
| 30.1 | 1962-05-27 | 3 | 36°11'N / 100°53'W | 36°14'N / 100°50'W | 4.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 13 | 2.5M | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 31.5 | 1987-05-25 | 3 | 36°16'N / 101°03'W | 36°16'N / 100°59'W | 3.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 32.2 | 1962-05-27 | 2 | 36°11'N / 100°53'W | 1.00 Mile | 83 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ochiltree | |
| 33.1 | 1987-03-22 | 3 | 36°12'N / 100°19'W | 36°29'N / 99°58'W | 30.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lipscomb |
| 33.3 | 1990-05-31 | 3 | 36°10'N / 101°03'W | 36°12'N / 100°48'W | 14.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 33.9 | 2003-05-15 | 2 | 37°02'N / 100°56'W | 37°03'N / 100°55'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 8.0M | 0 | Seward |
| Brief Description: The second tornado stayed mainly in town. It destroyed several buildings and caused significant roof and tree damage. | |||||||||||
| 34.4 | 2003-05-15 | 2 | 37°02'N / 100°57'W | 37°03'N / 100°56'W | 2.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 6.0M | 0 | Seward |
| Brief Description: The tornado began 1 mile west of town and first tore through the northwest part of Liberal destroying several mobile homes and throwing a pickup into the debris. Other homes in the area received heavy roof damage. | |||||||||||
| 35.5 | 1987-06-02 | 2 | 36°09'N / 100°16'W | 36°15'N / 100°14'W | 7.50 Miles | 1600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lipscomb |
| 35.9 | 1982-06-14 | 2 | 36°12'N / 101°05'W | 36°12'N / 101°00'W | 5.20 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 37.1 | 1987-03-22 | 2 | 36°29'N / 99°59'W | 36°36'N / 99°58'W | 7.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis |
| 38.1 | 1967-07-03 | 2 | 36°50'N / 101°16'W | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Texas | |||
| 39.6 | 1982-06-14 | 2 | 36°12'N / 101°12'W | 36°12'N / 101°05'W | 7.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 10 | 250K | 0 | Hansford |
| 39.9 | 1974-06-21 | 3 | 37°12'N / 100°42'W | 37°10'N / 100°40'W | 2.70 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Seward |
| 40.0 | 1982-03-18 | 2 | 37°07'N / 100°59'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Seward | |
| 40.2 | 1990-05-31 | 2 | 36°05'N / 100°58'W | 36°03'N / 100°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ochiltree |
| 40.8 | 1971-06-09 | 4 | 36°16'N / 101°24'W | 36°26'N / 101°12'W | 15.90 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hansford |
| 41.0 | 1987-03-22 | 2 | 36°37'N / 99°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Harper | |
| 41.8 | 1993-05-05 | 3 | 36°30'N / 101°23'W | 36°39'N / 101°24'W | 12.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 500K | Texas |
| 41.9 | 1994-04-09 | 2 | 37°09'N / 100°46'W | 37°16'N / 100°19'W | 7.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 8 | 50K | 0 | Seward |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down 3.5 WSW of Kismet at 1535 CST and moved ENE across Highway 54 and east into Meade County where it ended at 1610 CST at a point one southeast of Meade. Speed of movement was 35 mph with total path length of 26 miles. In Seward County the tornado struck a car and mobile home 2 E of Kismet at 1540 CST. Two adults were in the car and one adult and five children were in the mobile home. All eight sustained minor injuries and the mobile home was demolished. The tornado had a maximum path width of 1,000 yards in Seward County, but expanded to a maximum width of a mile southeast of Plains in Meade County. | |||||||||||
| 41.9 | 1991-05-15 | 3 | 36°39'N / 99°59'W | 36°45'N / 99°48'W | 11.50 Miles | 900 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Harper |
| 42.2 | 1958-06-21 | 2 | 37°16'N / 100°35'W | 37°09'N / 100°25'W | 12.20 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Meade |
| 42.4 | 1960-04-12 | 2 | 36°42'N / 99°53'W | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Harper | |||
| 43.3 | 1974-04-19 | 2 | 35°57'N / 100°35'W | 36°01'N / 100°31'W | 5.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Roberts |
| 43.6 | 2001-04-10 | 2 | 36°08'N / 101°12'W | 36°11'N / 101°11'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 750K | 0 | Hansford |
| Brief Description: An official storm damage survey was made on the tornado path length and width. The tornado destroyed several grain bins and a grain elevator to Agco facility. Extensive damage also occurred at a local farm...including the home...barns and equipment. Several power poles also were blown down. Severe thunderstorms producing large hail...damaging winds...and tornadoes occurred across the western Texas panhandle during the early evening hours and then moved east and northeast across the central and eastern Texas panhandle during the late evening hours. | |||||||||||
| 44.4 | 1989-06-06 | 3 | 37°11'N / 101°01'W | 37°14'N / 100°50'W | 12.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Seward |
| 44.5 | 1990-05-31 | 2 | 36°10'N / 101°18'W | 36°12'N / 101°11'W | 5.50 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hansford |
| 45.9 | 1993-05-05 | 3 | 36°53'N / 101°21'W | 37°07'N / 101°16'W | 11.00 Miles | 1200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 50K | Texas |
| 46.9 | 1982-03-19 | 4 | 36°04'N / 101°37'W | 36°25'N / 101°05'W | 48.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Hansford |
| 46.9 | 1955-06-17 | 2 | 37°15'N / 100°22'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Meade | |||
| 47.7 | 1973-09-25 | 3 | 37°06'N / 100°05'W | 37°11'N / 100°06'W | 5.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Meade |
| 48.1 | 1975-11-19 | 2 | 36°42'N / 101°30'W | 0.30 Mile | 270 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Texas | |
| 48.4 | 1971-06-09 | 2 | 36°16'N / 101°24'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hansford | |||
| 48.9 | 2003-05-15 | 2 | 37°15'N / 100°56'W | 37°18'N / 100°56'W | 4.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Seward |
| Brief Description: The tornado began 15 miles north and 1.5 miles west of the center of Liberal and ended 18 miles north and 2 miles east. One home received minor roof damage and broken windows. The second home was destroyed with debris from the home traveling 1/4 of a mile. | |||||||||||
| 49.2 | 1969-06-07 | 2 | 36°52'N / 101°28'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Texas | |||
| 49.6 | 1978-04-30 | 2 | 36°15'N / 99°53'W | 36°16'N / 99°50'W | 3.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis |
| 49.8 | 1987-05-25 | 3 | 36°12'N / 101°24'W | 36°15'N / 101°24'W | 3.00 Miles | 530 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hansford |
| 49.8 | 1996-05-26 | 2 | 37°12'N / 100°56'W | 37°24'N / 100°51'W | 14.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 140K | Seward |
| Brief Description: 2 irrigation sprinklers destroyed...fertilizer tanks carried over 1 mile...2 houses damaged...fence destroyed...trees uprooted...hay bales tossed...30 foot radio tower blown down...wheat plants pulled up...farm building heavily damaged...flood irrigation pipe scattered about. | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.