The Heavy Rains and Flooding of August 2005

 

Event Summary After a fairly dry early August 2005, an unseasonably strong cold front entered the state on the 12th and stalled, triggering many thundershowers and thunderstorms over the next 72 hours. The storms were significant, with many associated reports of severe weather. High winds and flooding were the main culprits. Gage recorded nearly three inches of rainfall on the 12th, and numerous reports of wind gusts between 60-70 mph were reported throughout central and northeastern Oklahoma. Strong storms struck once again on the 13th along the stalled cold front. Similar to the previous day, strong winds were a threat. On this and following days, repeated storms brought an increasing threat of flooding to much of Oklahoma and North Texas.

Objectives  To underline the importance of recent rainfall in making areas more susceptible to flooding and flash-flooding. To highlight some products that help quantify suceptibility to flooding To understand the upper-air patterns that support flooding events To properly use WSR-88D and Mesonet data to identify surface features and boundaries that may trigger storms in flood-producing scenarios. To properly use WSR-88D and Mesonet data to assess rainfall totals To be aware that multiple weather hazards can occur simultaneously.

 

Vocabulary  Flooding Flash Flooding Flash Flood Guidance Radar Rainfall Estimates Stationary Front

Exercise  Updated Version : Event Exercise Self Study Version: Event Exercise Archived Data  Reference Material  Flooding

OK-FIRST Project, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, 100 East Boyd, Suite 1210, Norman, OK 73019 Copyright © 1996-2005 Oklahoma Climatological Survey. All Rights Reserved. Send comments or questions concerning OK-FIRST to okfirst@mesonet.org.