Life in Tornado Alley in Edmond Oklahoma
Spring in Oklahoma means thunderstorm season. Residents know the routine well. The air gets heavy. The sky turns a bruised shade of green. Then, the sirens start.
For those living in Edmond, Oklahoma, this is an annual reality. Edmond is a vibrant, growing community just north of Oklahoma City. It is a wonderful place to live. However, it sits squarely in the heart of Tornado Alley.
Ignoring the weather history of central Oklahoma is dangerous. New residents might not know the past. Long-time residents might become complacent.
Understanding Edmond’s tornado history is not just about looking back. It is about preparing for the future. History shows us that severe weather is inevitable here. Being prepared is a choice.
Why Central Oklahoma is a Target
Edmond’s location makes it vulnerable to severe weather.
Oklahoma sits where different air masses collide. Cold, dry air comes down from Canada. Warm, moist air comes up from the Gulf of Mexico. Dry, hot air blows in from the Desert Southwest.
When these air masses meet over the plains, they create instability in the atmosphere. This instability is the fuel for supercell thunderstorms. These are the storms that produce strong tornadoes.
Oklahoma City and its surrounding suburbs, including Edmond, have a unique distinction. The OKC metropolitan area has been hit by more tornadoes than any other city in the United States. Edmond is part of that high-risk zone.
For authoritative data on tornado climatology, the National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office provides extensive records for the region.
Notable Tornadoes in Edmond History
Edmond has experienced numerous tornado warnings and close calls. Several significant tornadoes have directly impacted the city.
Looking at specific events helps us understand the reality of the threat. These are not just statistics. They are events that damaged homes, businesses, and schools.
The May 8, 1986, F3 Tornado
This is perhaps the most well-remembered tornado in Edmond’s modern history.
On the afternoon of May 8, 1986, a supercell thunderstorm developed southwest of the OKC metro. It produced a violent tornado that moved through northern Oklahoma City and tracked directly into Edmond.
Key Facts about the 1986 Storm:
Rating: It was rated an F3 on the original Fujita Scale.
Path: The tornado carved a path roughly 14 miles long.
Damage: It caused significant damage to neighborhoods. Roofs were torn off houses. Cars were flipped.
Impact on Schools: The storm caused major damage to Edmond Memorial High School and several elementary schools. Fortunately, school was not in session at the time of impact.
Injuries: While there were no fatalities directly in Edmond, over a dozen people were injured.
This event served as a major wake-up call for the growing city. It demonstrated that strong tornadoes could and would hit densely populated areas of Edmond.
The May 19, 2013, EF3 Tornado
May of 2013 was a tragically active month for central Oklahoma. Most people remember the devastating Moore tornado on May 20th. However, the day before, Edmond took a direct hit.
On the afternoon of May 19, 2013, severe storms fired up across the state. A strong tornado developed near Luther and moved southwest toward Edmond. This path was somewhat unusual, as many storms move northeast.
Key Facts about the 2013 Storm:
Rating: It was rated an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. An EF3 has estimated wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph.
The Path: The tornado crossed Interstate 35 near the Covell Road exit. It moved through areas near Lake Arcadia.
Damage: It caused significant damage to homes, outbuildings, and trees. Several homes lost their roofs and exterior walls.
Significance: This storm proved again that powerful tornadoes are a recurring threat to the Edmond area.
The Constant Threat of “Near Misses”
A direct hit is not the only danger. Edmond residents spend many spring days under Tornado Watches and Warnings.
Nearby cities like Moore, Norman, and Piedmont have suffered catastrophic damage in recent decades. The meteorological conditions that caused those storms were present over Edmond as well.
Often, it is just a matter of a few miles that spares one neighborhood while devastating another. Relying on luck is not a safety strategy.
Understanding Tornado Ratings
When looking at historical data, you will see references to the F-Scale and the EF-Scale. It is helpful to understand what these mean regarding potential damage.
The Original Fujita Scale (F-Scale)
Used before 2007, this scale rated tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and observed damage.
F0-F1: Weak tornadoes. Minor damage to roofs, gutters, and trees.
F2-F3: Strong tornadoes. Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; heavy cars lifted off the ground. (The 1986 Edmond tornado was an F3).
F4-F5: Violent tornadoes. Well-constructed houses leveled; structures lifted off foundations.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale)
Adopted in 2007, the EF-Scale is more precise. It uses specific damage indicators to estimate wind speeds.
EF0-EF1: Weak. Winds 65-110 mph.
EF2-EF3: Strong. Winds 111-165 mph. Significant structural damage occurs here. (The 2013 Edmond tornado was an EF3).
EF4-EF5: Violent. Winds 166-200+ mph. Devastating damage. Well-built homes are swept away.
An EF3, like the one that hit Edmond in 2013, has winds strong enough to destroy a standard residential home.
The Lesson: Preparation is Key
History tells a clear story: Edmond is in a high-risk area for tornadoes.
Many homes in Oklahoma are built on slab foundations. They do not have basements. During an EF3, EF4, or EF5 tornado, an interior room or hallway on the ground floor offers very little protection.
Wind speeds over 150 mph can tear a house apart piece by piece. Debris carried by these winds turns into deadly missiles.
The only truly safe place during a significant tornado is an underground shelter or a specially designed above-ground safe room that meets FEMA standards.
You cannot control the weather. You can control how prepared you are for it.
To learn more about tornado safety and preparedness, the American Red Cross offers valuable resources and checklists for families.
Oklahoma Shelters: Your Local Safety Experts
Knowing the history is step one. Taking action is step two.
Oklahoma Shelters is dedicated to protecting families across the state. Based in Oklahoma City, they service the entire state, including Edmond. They understand the local weather patterns and the specific needs of Oklahoma homeowners.
They offer a variety of shelter options to fit different homes, budgets, and physical needs. All their shelters meet or exceed FEMA guidelines for debris impact.
You can view their full range of products on their services page
Here are the primary types of shelters available for Edmond residents:
Underground Garage Shelters
This is a very popular option in Edmond.
How it works: A section of your garage floor concrete is cut out. The steel shelter is installed underground, flush with the floor.
Benefits: It does not take up valuable square footage in your garage. You can park your car over it when it is not in use. You do not have to go outside in the rain or hail to access safety.
Access: Entry is via a sliding door or a hinged door on the garage floor.
Outdoor Concrete Shelters
These are the traditional “slope-top” shelters you often see in rural areas, but they work well in suburban backyards too.
How it works: A pre-cast concrete structure is installed partially underground in your yard. Earth is mounded around it.
Benefits: They are incredibly durable and heavy. They are often more spacious than garage units.
Access: You must go outside to enter the shelter via steps leading down.
Above-Ground Safe Rooms
For some homes, underground installation isn’t possible due to high water tables or rock. For some homeowners, stairs are difficult to navigate.
How it works: A steel box is bolted directly to the concrete slab foundation of your home. This can be installed in a garage, a patio, or sometimes inside the house during new construction.
Benefits: They are wheelchair accessible and easy to enter for people with mobility issues. They are rigorously tested to withstand high-impact debris.
Access: A heavy-duty, FEMA-compliant door allows easy entry without stairs.
Don’t Wait for the Next Siren
Edmond’s tornado history proves that severe weather will return. It is part of living on the Southern Plains.
When the tornado sirens sound in Edmond, you usually have only a few minutes to seek shelter. That is not the time to be figuring out your plan.
Having a storm shelter installed gives you peace of mind. When a Tornado Warning is issued for Oklahoma County, you won’t panic. You will simply move your family to your pre-installed safe space.
The best time to install a shelter is before storm season begins. Shelter companies often get backlogged once the first major storms of the spring arrive.
Protect your family from the violent weather that defines Edmond’s history. Contact a reputable local installer today.
Call Oklahoma Shelters at 405-367-7901 for a free consultation.
Ensure your family’s safety against the next big storm. Contact Oklahoma Shelters Today
