Tornadoes added to April count bringing state-wide annual total to 63

2026 Tornadoes. (KOKH)

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The National Weather Service office in Norman recently surveyed multiple damage sites in Atoka, Johnston, and Murray Counties and added three new tornadoes to the official statewide count. These three tornadoes occurred on April 28th, which came at the end of an active tornado period which saw 21 tornadoes touchdown between April 23rd and 28th, including the Enid EF-4 on April 23rd.

The three tornadoes occurred between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM CST on April 28th. The first tornado was rated an EF-U and was on the ground for only a minute 5 miles South of Sulphur. The second tornado was rated an EF-1, lasted for 14 minutes, and was on the ground for 8 miles between Coleman and Cany. The final tornado was rated an EF-2 with a path width of 1500 yards. The tornado traveled for 21 miles over the span of 31 minutes between Caney and Lane.

During active weather patterns such as the one between April 23rd and 28th, the National Weather Service will wait to assess tornado damage until the active pattern subsides. Distance also matters when assessing damage. Atoka County is on the border of NWS Norman’s County Warning Area (CWA) and is about a 2-hour drive from the National Weather Center.