Time Line 1950-1959

1950 May 11-12: Flood of record on Illinois River near Tahlequah. The new Fort Gibson reservoir filled one year ahead of predictions.

1950-1956: Driest 7-year period of century with an average annual statewide precipitation of 28.51 inches.

1950: Wettest July of century, statewide-averaged precipitation of 9.26 inches.

1952-1956: Driest 5-year period of century with an annual average statewide precipitation of 25.81 inches.

1952: Tied for driest October of century, statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.14 inch.

1953: Warmest June of century, statewide averaged temperature of 85.1 degrees.

1954-1956: Driest 3-year period of century with an annual average statewide precipitation of 24.50 inches.

1954: Warmest February of century, statewide-averaged temperature of 51.8 degrees.

1954: Hottest July of century with a statewide-averaged temperature of 88.6 degrees.

1954: Warmest year of century, statewide-averaged annual temperature of 63.7 degrees.

1955 May 25: F5 tornado hits Blackwell, killing 20.

1956 July: 7 tornadoes, record for month.

1956 September: Driest September of century, statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.27 inch.

1956: Regnier annual precipitation of 6.53 inches is least ever for any station in state.

1957 April: 40 tornadoes, record for month.

1957 May 16-21: Heavy rains throughout. Major flooding on Cimarron, Arkansas, Canadian. $20M losses to agriculture alone. Lake Texoma emergency spillway opened for first time. Floods marked the end of persistent drought that began in 1952.

1957: Wettest May of century, statewide-averaged precipitation of 10.68 inches.

1957: Annual precipitation at Kiamichi Tower, 84.47 inches, greatest of century at any reporting station.

1957: Wettest year of Century with a statewide-averaged precipitation of 48.21 inches.

1957: 107 tornadoes, second greatest number in any year, 1950-1999.

1958 November: 12 tornadoes record for month.

1959 October 2-5: Severe flooding on Cimarron and Arkansas.