Harper County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Oklahoma Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Harper County is lower than Oklahoma average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Harper County is much lower than Oklahoma average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #70
| Harper County | 0.02 |
| 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
| Harper 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, #75
| Harper County | 137.22 |
| 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 15,858 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Harper 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: | 19 | Cold: | 10 | Dense Fog: | 2 | Drought: | 77 |
| Dust Storm: | 1 | Flood: | 360 | Hail: | 10,129 | Heat: | 24 | Heavy Snow: | 102 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 37 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 185 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,384 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 31 | Winter Storm: | 79 | Winter Weather: | 60 |
| Other: | 358 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Harper 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 Harper County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 47.3 | 1976-04-19 | 3.5 | 5 | 36.13 | -99.84 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 45 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Harper County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 5.6 | 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 |
| 10.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 14.0 | 1960-04-12 | 2 | 36°42'N / 99°53'W | 0 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Harper | |||
| 14.4 | 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 |
| 17.0 | 1950-05-04 | 2 | 36°34'N / 99°34'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Woodward | |
| 18.3 | 1987-03-22 | 2 | 36°37'N / 99°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Harper | |
| 23.8 | 1991-04-02 | 2 | 36°52'N / 99°17'W | 36°53'N / 99°12'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Woods |
| 24.9 | 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 |
| 27.7 | 1965-05-13 | 2 | 36°24'N / 99°40'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 28.9 | 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 |
| 33.4 | 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 |
| 33.4 | 1955-06-18 | 2 | 36°47'N / 99°05'W | 36°49'N / 99°02'W | 3.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Woods |
| 34.8 | 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 |
| 34.8 | 1950-05-24 | 2 | 37°16'N / 99°29'W | 37°17'N / 99°25'W | 3.60 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Comanche |
| 34.9 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 36°57'N / 99°07'W | 36°59'N / 99°01'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0K | Woods |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado developed and moved predominately over range land. Little or no significant damage was observed until the tornado approached the state line. Widespread tree damage, consistent with an EF2 tornado was noted. The tornado then moved into Comanche County Kansas. 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. | |||||||||||
| 34.9 | 1958-06-21 | 3 | 36°18'N / 99°45'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 35.9 | 1964-08-13 | 2 | 36°51'N / 99°01'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Woods | |||
| 38.0 | 2008-05-23 | 3 | 37°00'N / 99°03'W | 37°06'N / 99°03'W | 7.00 Miles | 980 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Comanche |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This 1/2 mile wide tornado moved out of Oklahoma. EF3+ damaged was based on trees that appeared to be sand blasted. Also, there were trees uprooted, several antique cars that have yet to be found as of late July, 2008 (probably dropped in ravines in the area). An oil tank was carried 2 miles. Several head of cattle were killed. The tornado turned west (left) as it began to dissipate. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 39.0 | 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 |
| 39.0 | 1952-04-30 | 2 | 36°46'N / 99°05'W | 36°46'N / 98°50'W | 13.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Woods |
| 39.1 | 2008-05-23 | 3 | 37°20'N / 99°43'W | 37°24'N / 99°33'W | 11.00 Miles | 3170 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Clark |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This extremely large tornado (1.8 miles wide) moved east and then turned northeast towards Kiowa county. Many power poles were taken down by the tornado. It also caused EF3 damage to trees, two old houses, barns and it carried an oil tank battery 1.8 miles depositing it in trees. There was at least 20 head of cattle killed by the tornado. There was minor injuries received by a 20 year old male as he took refuge in his truck that was parked next to a baler inside a barn. The barn was completely swept away leaving the young man with cuts from broken glass. The baler that was left standing probably protected him and his truck from going airborne, if not rolling. Also, there was serious injury to a male in a semi on highway 34 in the vicinity of 37.3327 N, 99.6344 W probably by the RFD. Two other semis parked at this location rolled over but no injuries were sustained by the drivers. This extremely large tornado moved into Kiowa county. The radar signature was eerily similar to the Greensburg tornado that occurred on May 4, 2007. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 39.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 40.8 | 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 |
| 41.0 | 1970-09-06 | 2 | 36°44'N / 100°24'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Beaver | |||
| 41.3 | 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 |
| 41.4 | 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 |
| 41.6 | 1955-06-17 | 2 | 37°20'N / 100°01'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Clark | |||
| 42.5 | 1950-05-24 | 2 | 36°27'N / 99°02'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Woodward | |
| 43.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1973-03-13 | 2 | 37°21'N / 99°20'W | 37°23'N / 99°18'W | 2.30 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Comanche |
| 44.4 | 1965-06-04 | 2 | 36°36'N / 98°54'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Woods | |
| 44.5 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 37°22'N / 99°24'W | 37°26'N / 99°20'W | 6.00 Miles | 760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Kiowa |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved out of Comanche county and did EF2 damage to trees and power poles. It crossed the path of the tornado that occurred on May 4, 2007. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 44.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 45.0 | 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 |
| 45.2 | 1994-04-09 | 2 | 37°27'N / 99°46'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0 | Clark | |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down briefly and passed through the Roger Giles Farmstead. House windows were broken out, farm machinery was wrecked, and the house was moved on its foundation. All but two outbuildings on the farmstead were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 46.0 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 37°24'N / 99°33'W | 37°31'N / 99°31'W | 10.00 Miles | 2815 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Kiowa |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This large tornado moved out of Clark county where it had done EF3 damage. In Kiowa county, EF2 damage was done to a concrete walled house. Trees also received EF2 damage. A power pole with transmission wire attached was deposited from an unknown location. The tornado turned sharply west towards the end of it's life. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 46.0 | 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 |
| 46.1 | 1951-04-05 | 2 | 36°32'N / 98°55'W | 36°34'N / 98°52'W | 3.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 3K | 0 | Woods |
| 46.1 | 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 |
| 46.2 | 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 |
| 47.1 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 48.9 | 1972-07-28 | 2 | 37°27'N / 100°01'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Clark | |
| 49.2 | 1953-05-29 | 2 | 37°29'N / 99°55'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ford | |||
| 49.2 | 1967-06-10 | 2 | 36°06'N / 99°30'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 49.7 | 1955-06-17 | 2 | 37°15'N / 100°22'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Meade | |||
* 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.