1960 — May 5, Tornado Outbreak, multiple locales, especially Wilburton/13, OK — 32

— 32 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1027.
— 26 NWS WFO Norman, OK. “Violent Tornadoes (F4/F5) in Oklahoma (1950-2008).”

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “OK MAY 5, 1960 1700 5k 81inj 800y 70m…POTTAWATOMIE /SEMINOLE / LINCOLN /OKFUSKEE/ CREEK…After forming in the North Canadian River bottoms, this large and destructive tornado was described as being huge, white, and barrel-shaped. Several farms were destroyed 2m E of Shawnee, and at least 14 farms were destroyed between Prague and Paden. The funnel damaged an oil refinery NE of Prague, causing a loss of $750,000. Two people were killed in the Iron Post area, south of Bristow. Homes in this area were swept completely away. The worst damage occurred as the tornado moved through the west and north portions of Sapulpa, killing three people, destroying 100 homes, and damaging 200 others. The funnel lifted shortly thereafter, and was observed aloft over Tulsa.

“OK MAY 5, 1960 1816 2k 15inj 150y 4m F4. OKMULGEE– Moved NE through the south side of Hoffman. About 25 homes and other buildings were destroyed. Many merely collapsed, but some were swept away. Two people died of injuries received in homes. Underbrush was cleared “as if a bulldozer plowed its way through town.”….

“OK MAY 5, 1960 1910 16k 106inj 200y f50m F4. LATIMER/ HASKELL/ SEQUOYAH — The tornado swept NE through Wilburton, with nearly complete destruction in a two-block-wide path. Thirteen people were killed and 600 buildings were damaged or destroyed. This included the destruction of 82 homes. Wilburton damage totaled $1,500,000. Six more homes were destroyed at Center Point. The funnel skipped to Keota, where three more people were killed, and 25 buildings were destroyed. Ten more homes were damaged south of Sallisaw.

“OK MAY 5, 1960 1910 2k 6inj 200y 15m F3. MCINTOSH — Moved N after touching down near the Eufaula Dam, llm SE of Checotah. Three homes were destroyed and six were damaged in the Central High area. Two deaths and five injuries occurred in a car as a family attempted to reach a neighbor’s storm cellar. The other injury was also in a car….

“OK MAY 5, 1960 1930 lk O inj…4m F3. SEQUOYAH — Moved NE from SW to west of Moffett. A truck driver was killed when his truck was lifted from Hwy- 64 and destroyed…. Homes were blown apart.

“OK MAY 5, 1960 1940 5k 13inj 200y 5m F4. SEQUOYAH — Moved N from south of Hwy-64 to NE of Roland. A truck was thrown 300 yards into a field, injuring two men inside. A small truck was thrown 300 yards, causing one injury. A mother and four children died in a home 2m NE of Roland, as it was completely swept away. Six other children were injured.

“OK MAY 5, 1960 2130 lk O inj…25m F3. LEFLORE/SEQUOYAH — Moved NNE near Bokoshe, Tucker, Gans, and Akins. Eighteen homes were destroyed…over 50…damaged. Some were “blown away.” A woman was killed near Akins.” (Grazulis 1993, 1027.)

NWS WFO Norman, OK: “May 5, 1960 17:00 F5, 5 fatalities, 81 injured; Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Creek Counties; south of Shawnee, between Paden and Prague – Iron Post – Sapulpa – NE of Sapulpa.

“May 5, 1960 19:10, F4, 16 fatalities, 106 injured; Latimer, Haskell, Sequoyah Counties; from Wilburton – Keota – SW of Sallisaw.

“May 5, 1960 19:40, F4, 5 fatalities, 13 injured; Sequoyah County; Roland.” (NWS WFO Norman, OK. “Violent Tornadoes (F4/F5) in Oklahoma (1950-2008).”)

Sources

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Norman, OK. “Violent Tornadoes (F4/F5) in Oklahoma (1950-2008).” 2-11-2009. At: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/tornadodata/ok/violent.php