You might hear some local TV meteorologists sounding the alarm over the next few days about the remnants of Ike moving through Oklahoma late this weekend, possibly causing significant flooding. We all know that some local guys can tend to "overhype" weather events on occassion. However, if the remnants of a hurricane are forecasted to move overhead, I would do the same thing if I were the forecaster. Here is why: Inland Flooding from heavy rain is the number one killer from hurricanes. Not storm surge at the coast. Not high winds. The most deaths occur inland, away from the coast, becuase of the rain that results inland.
We are still too far away to know if Ike will affect us, but if it happens, it's not something to be taken lightly.
Here are the top five rainfalls caused by tropical systems in Oklahoma history:
1) 18.71 inches from Norma, 1981 in Kingston
2) 16.95 inches from Tico, 1983 in Chickasha
3) 12.81 inches from Erin, 2007 in Eakly
4) 12.07 inches from Dean, 1995 at Great Salt Plains Lake
5) 11.02 inches from Frances, 1998 in Valliant
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2 comments:
OUR weathermen? Overhype? Say it ain't so.
That's interesting though about the number one killer of hurricanes. Do you know the highest death toll in Oklahoma from flooding?
Hey Babe-
As promised, here is the lengthy answer to your question:
Flash Flood in Tulsa - May 26-27, 1984 (Memorial Day weekend). This event is arguably the most significant urban flash flood in Oklahoma history, as rainfall of up to 15 inches (perhaps more - many gages overflowed) pounded the city overnight, leading to 14 deaths.
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