Ellis County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Oklahoma Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Ellis County is higher than Oklahoma average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Ellis County is much lower than Oklahoma average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #9
| Ellis County | 0.54 |
| 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
| Ellis County | 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, #71
| Ellis County | 174.42 |
| 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 14,448 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Ellis County 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: | 16 | Cold: | 9 | Dense Fog: | 9 | Drought: | 80 |
| Dust Storm: | 1 | Flood: | 336 | Hail: | 9,264 | Heat: | 19 | Heavy Snow: | 103 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 38 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 175 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 3,962 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 33 | Winter Storm: | 75 | Winter Weather: | 53 |
| Other: | 275 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Ellis County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Ellis County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 8.2 | 1976-04-19 | 3.5 | 5 | 36.13 | -99.84 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 54 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Ellis County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.8 | 1990-04-24 | 2 | 36°01'N / 99°50'W | 36°24'N / 99°43'W | 19.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Ellis |
| 5.2 | 1958-06-21 | 3 | 36°18'N / 99°45'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 6.5 | 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 |
| 6.5 | 1955-06-15 | 2 | 36°06'N / 99°45'W | 36°10'N / 99°41'W | 5.90 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis |
| 11.2 | 1960-03-28 | 2 | 36°18'N / 99°54'W | 36°28'N / 99°31'W | 24.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ellis |
| 13.0 | 1965-05-13 | 2 | 36°24'N / 99°40'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 13.5 | 1961-05-04 | 2 | 36°02'N / 99°48'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 16.4 | 1967-06-10 | 2 | 36°06'N / 99°30'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 18.8 | 1982-05-15 | 2 | 35°57'N / 99°38'W | 36°00'N / 99°36'W | 3.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis |
| 21.8 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 35°53'N / 99°46'W | 35°56'N / 99°45'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 612K | 0K | Ellis |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado developed 4 miles north-northeast of Roll in northern Roger Mills County and crossed the Canadian River into southern Ellis County at 9:36 pm CDT. Two houses and two mobile homes were destroyed in the Packsaddle area of southern Ellis County to the east of US Highway 283 (about 18 miles south-southwest of Harmon), and a roof was removed from another mobile home. At least one of these homes suffered a complete removal of the roof and some damage to the exterior walls. Several cars were damaged or destroyed, as well as trees and power lines. Monetary values were estimated. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An upper level storm system moved slowly into south central Colorado during the afternoon. A dry line had become established and was located along the Oklahoma and Texas panhandle border. Also, favorable upper level winds were rotating around the upper level storm system, crossing the dryline over western Oklahoma. As the afternoon progressed, convergence along the dryline became maximized over this area. Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours and they quickly became supercells. Two of the supercells produced several tornadoes. The northern tornadic storm produced five tornadoes from southwest of Roll to just east of Arnett. The southern tornadic storm also produced five tornadoes in Oklahoma from near Sweetwater to near Sharon. Large hail was also observed. The supercells moved northeast out of Oklahoma during the late evening hours. Monetary values for the tornado damage were estimated. | |||||||||||
| 22.2 | 2009-04-26 | 2 | 35°52'N / 99°44'W | 35°57'N / 99°37'W | 9.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Ellis |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved into Ellis County from northern Roger Mills County. Reported by various media outlets, storm chasers. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms developed along and east of a dry line over the eastern Texas panhandle. The atmosphere was extremely unstable and wind shear was more than sufficient to support severe thunderstorms, including supercell thunderstorms. Showers and thunderstorms that developed early in the day, gave way to more severe thunderstorms by mid afternoon. Severe weather of all types occurred, with numerous locations receiving very large hail. Tornadoes were also reported in Roger Mills and Ellis counties, with some significant damage reported. Flooding also became an issue as some of the same areas received heavy rainfall for the second day in a row. Monetary damages were estimated. | |||||||||||
| 22.2 | 1954-04-29 | 2 | 35°48'N / 99°45'W | 36°07'N / 99°18'W | 33.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 23.3 | 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 |
| 25.2 | 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 |
| 25.7 | 1950-05-04 | 2 | 36°34'N / 99°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Woodward | |
| 26.9 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 36°10'N / 99°19'W | 36°18'N / 99°13'W | 14.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Woodward |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado developed about 7.5 miles south of Sharon and moved northeast. Near the beginning of the tornado path, substantial damage was noted along EW 57 Road, about two miles north of the county line, and about one mile west of Highway 34. At this location, much of the roof of a single story home was removed, an old rail car being used to store dry cement bags and animal feed was thrown and/or rolled about 140 feet south of the residence, trees and large limbs were snapped, and a pickup truck was moved about 80 feet. Beyond this location, the tornado moved through very rural areas and damage was sparse through portion of the tornado's path. Damage to structures was again noted along a path beginning about 4 miles east of Sharon. In this area, a barn was destroyed and an outbuilding had its windows blown out. Further northeast along the path, more outbuildings were damaged, at least two barns were destroyed, a recreational vehicle was destroyed, and a semi trailer overturned. Several large trees were also downed as the tornado continued northeast before dissipating about 6 miles east northeast of Sharon, just south of Highway 183. In total, 56 utility poles were destroyed along the tornado's path. Monetary damages were estimated. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An upper level storm system moved slowly into south central Colorado during the afternoon. A dry line had become established and was located along the Oklahoma and Texas panhandle border. Also, favorable upper level winds were rotating around the upper level storm system, crossing the dryline over western Oklahoma. As the afternoon progressed, convergence along the dryline became maximized over this area. Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours and they quickly became supercells. Two of the supercells produced several tornadoes. The northern tornadic storm produced five tornadoes from southwest of Roll to just east of Arnett. The southern tornadic storm also produced five tornadoes in Oklahoma from near Sweetwater to near Sharon. Large hail was also observed. The supercells moved northeast out of Oklahoma during the late evening hours. Monetary values for the tornado damage were estimated. | |||||||||||
| 27.1 | 1968-06-09 | 2 | 35°50'N / 99°48'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Roger Mills | |||
| 27.9 | 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 |
| 28.3 | 1987-03-22 | 2 | 36°37'N / 99°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Harper | |
| 29.8 | 1955-05-25 | 2 | 36°01'N / 99°18'W | 36°04'N / 99°14'W | 5.10 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Dewey |
| 29.9 | 1982-05-27 | 2 | 35°49'N / 99°56'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Roger Mills | |
| 31.1 | 1995-06-08 | 2 | 35°46'N / 99°59'W | 35°49'N / 99°50'W | 5.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 31.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 32.2 | 1991-05-26 | 3 | 36°26'N / 99°20'W | 36°26'N / 99°08'W | 12.50 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Woodward |
| 33.1 | 1961-05-04 | 2 | 35°53'N / 99°20'W | 1.00 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dewey | |
| 33.7 | 1960-04-12 | 2 | 36°42'N / 99°53'W | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Harper | |||
| 33.8 | 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 |
| 34.4 | 2008-05-23 | 3 | 36°40'N / 99°33'W | 36°43'N / 99°31'W | 5.00 Miles | 1100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Harper |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A strong tornado, rated EF3 at its peak intensity, struck south-southwest of the Selman area, producing widespread damage along its path. The tornado touched down, doing minor damage to trees and outbuildings. The tornado continued moving northeast and struck a residence. Significant damage consistent with EF2 damage was seen at this location. More significant damage was done to a residence and stocked workshop building as the tornado moved northeast. This was the strongest point of the tornado, rated EF3. A semi-cab and a 20-horse trailer were blown 50 yards from inside of the workshop. They both sustained significant damage. The tornado moved north from this point, doing EF2 damage to a building and workshop. The owners of the home took shelter in their storm shelter during the tornado, but became trapped inside by debris over top of the door. They were freed by local firemen after approximately 45 minutes. The tornado continued north and then northwest as it began to dissipate. Before it dissipated, however, a heavy fiberglass water tank that was filled with water was destroyed and moved some distance away. Two horses were also killed and one was seriously injured by swirling tin and other sharp debris. Monetary damages were estimated. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon ahead of a dry line that was located near the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma border. The thunderstorms quickly became supercells as they moved toward southwest Kansas. Very large hail was the initial threat, although a significant tornado threat became apparent as they neared the Kansas border. Three tornadoes were reported with the thunderstorms, with two of them doing significant damage. The tornadic thunderstorms moved northeast by nightfall, with other less severe thunderstorms developing farther south. Monetary damages were estimated. | |||||||||||
| 35.3 | 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 |
| 35.5 | 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 |
| 35.7 | 1964-05-05 | 2 | 35°42'N / 99°33'W | 35°49'N / 99°24'W | 11.60 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 36.6 | 1984-10-31 | 2 | 36°01'N / 99°11'W | 36°02'N / 99°06'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Dewey |
| 38.1 | 1961-05-04 | 2 | 35°36'N / 99°48'W | 35°46'N / 99°26'W | 23.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 38.2 | 2002-04-17 | 3 | 36°06'N / 99°05'W | 36°09'N / 99°04'W | 5.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0 | Dewey |
| Brief Description: This tornado formed in northern Dewey County, near Cestos, and moved northward, entering Woodward County at 2241 CST. In Dewey County, an old, abandoned farm house, constructed of wood, with broken windows and no doors, was leveled, about 2.5 miles east-southeast of Cestos. Huge cottonwood trees nearby were uprooted. A 15 ft long bus, with no engine, was lofted over a chain-link fence and dropped on its side about 50-75 ft away, and a 1/2 ton pickup trailer bed, detached from the front of the truck, was picked up and carried about 1/2 mile, and crumpled. Numerous severe thunderstorms were observed over western Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 17th and early morning of the 18th. Four tornadoes were confirmed, and there were several reports of very large hail, even one report of softball size hail (4.5 inches in diameter). The tornadoes were at night with the largest tornado, believed to be up to one mile wide, causing a maximum of F2 damage over a 34 mile path across northwest Oklahoma. Another tornado resulted in F3 damage. | |||||||||||
| 41.3 | 1980-05-28 | 2 | 35°39'N / 99°59'W | 35°37'N / 99°45'W | 13.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 41.8 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.8 | 1984-10-31 | 3 | 36°13'N / 99°00'W | 36°19'N / 98°58'W | 4.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Woodward |
| 42.8 | 1950-05-24 | 2 | 36°27'N / 99°02'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Woodward | |
| 45.5 | 1970-09-06 | 2 | 36°51'N / 99°42'W | 36°54'N / 99°33'W | 8.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Harper |
| 46.0 | 1986-05-07 | 3 | 35°50'N / 100°27'W | 35°56'N / 100°28'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hemphill |
| 46.7 | 1967-06-10 | 4 | 35°36'N / 99°23'W | 35°41'N / 99°16'W | 8.70 Miles | 300 Yards | 4 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Custer |
| 46.8 | 1972-04-19 | 2 | 36°03'N / 99°03'W | 36°09'N / 98°48'W | 15.50 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Dewey |
| 47.1 | 1962-05-27 | 2 | 36°29'N / 100°32'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lipscomb | |||
| 47.2 | 1951-05-19 | 2 | 36°00'N / 98°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dewey | |
| 47.5 | 2010-03-08 | 2 | 35°33'N / 99°27'W | 35°39'N / 99°20'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0K | Roger Mills |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A relatively long track tornado touched down in a rural area to the southwest of Hammon, and then tracked to the northeast towards the town of Hammon. This tornado was on the ground for around 40 minutes, moving mainly over rural areas. Initially, the only damage from the tornado was snapped trees and power poles/lines. As the tornado tracked northeast near the end of the tornado track, the tornado clipped the southeastern edge of the town of Hammon. A couple of trailers, the county barn, and a home sustained major damage. Other buildings, trees, power lines/poles, and cars also received significant damage near and around the town of Hammon. The tornado finally dissipated to the northeast of Hammon. Monetary damages were estimated. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong upper level storm system moved east through New Mexico and into the Texas panhandle during the day on the 8th. Thunderstorms developed over northern Texas and crossed into southern Oklahoma during the morning and early afternoon hours. This area of thunderstorms weakened as they crossed the Red River, leaving widespread cloud cover over the region. However, later in the afternoon, the skies cleared over western Oklahoma, and this allowed for heating to commence in advance of the dry line that was sharpening up over the Texas panhandle. Thunderstorms moved into western Oklahoma and became severe over Roger Mills county. Initially, marginally severe hail up to quarter size was reported, but the storm eventually spawned two tornadoes, one of them significant. The first tornado occurred southwest of Hammon, with EF2 damage reported on the southeast side of Hammon. The second tornado occurred farther east, but did not produce any damage. | |||||||||||
| 47.6 | 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 |
| 47.9 | 1986-05-07 | 2 | 35°47'N / 100°27'W | 35°54'N / 100°29'W | 8.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hemphill |
| 48.5 | 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 |
| 48.8 | 1982-05-15 | 2 | 35°53'N / 98°59'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dewey | |
| 48.9 | 1964-05-05 | 2 | 35°30'N / 99°48'W | 35°32'N / 99°45'W | 3.60 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Roger Mills |
| 49.3 | 1995-06-08 | 4 | 35°30'N / 100°13'W | 35°41'N / 100°06'W | 10.00 Miles | 2200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 1.0M | Wheeler |
| 49.7 | 1984-10-31 | 2 | 36°11'N / 98°54'W | 36°18'N / 98°49'W | 8.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Major |
| 50.0 | 1967-07-03 | 2 | 35°51'N / 100°31'W | 0.10 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hemphill | |
* 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.