The National Weather Service in Tulsa said an EF-1 tornado that caused damage in southern Pittsburg County on Friday was on the ground for more than two miles.
Meteorologists with the weather service said in their public information statement issued Monday evening that the tornado developed north of Harper Valley Road just west of Poe Road at around 5:04 p.m. Friday, April 24.
“It moved east-southeast across Harper Valley Road, where trees were uprooted and large tree limbs were snapped,” the weather service said.
The tornado then moved southeast across Kiowa, where numerous trees were uprooted or snapped, homes were damaged, outbuildings were destroyed, and power poles were snapped. The worst of the damage was confined to an area along and West of Hickory Street where the Kiowa RV Park and Tiny Home Community is located.
Tree damage was found along Kiowa Lake Road on April 24, 2026.
“It then dissipated just southeast of Kiowa,” meteorologists said four minutes later at 5:08 p.m. The coordinates provided by NWS Tulsa indicate the tornado dissipated on 10th Street, southeast of Kiowa High School. Damage to homes and trees was also observed along Kiowa Lake Road, east of where a storm spotter recorded a 91 mph wind gust near the power plant.
According to NWS Tulsa, the tornado’s estimated peak winds were between 95 and 105 mph with a maximum width of 650 yards.
Area residents who sustained damage from the storm and have not been contacted by officials are asked to report damage by contacting the Pittsburg County/McAlester Emergency Management Office at 918-423-5655.
Choctaw Nation tribal members can also report damage to the Choctaw Nation’s Emergency Management Office at 1-844-709-6301 or by email at OEM@choctawnation.com.