Most destructive tornadoes in Oklahoma: Storms ranked by highest cost of property damage

In Oklahoma, tornado season is no joke.

Since 1950, the state has been hit by 4,700 tornadoes, including preliminary 2024 numbers, resulting in more than 5,300 injuries and more than 350 deaths.

In addition to the loss of life, these tornadoes also left thousands of dollars worth of damage in their wake.

According to archives from the National Weather Service, these are the top seven costliest tornadoes in Oklahoma history.

7. Tulsa tornado

A tornado touched down in Tulsa on April 19, 1981, costing an estimated $75-100 million. That would be between $259 million and $345 million in today's dollars.

6. Cordell tornado

On October 9, 2001, a tornado in Cordell caused over $100 million in damage. Adjusted to 2024 dollars, that is more than $177 million.

5. Ardmore tornado

On May 7, 1995, the Ardmore tornado caused over $100 million in damage. Today, that's over $206 million.

4. Altus-Altus AFB tornado

On May 11, 1982, this tornado spun through Altus, Oklahoma, a town of less than 20,000 and home of Altus Air Force Base. The tornado cost more than $200 million, which would be over $650 million today.

3. Moore-OKC-Choctaw tornado

The top three costliest tornadoes in state history all took a detour through Moore, Oklahoma. This one happened on May 8, 2003. It cost over $370 million, which is over $699 million in 2024 dollars.

2. Bridge Creek-OKC-Moore-Del City tornado

On May 3, 1999, this tornado tore a path across the metro that accumulated $1 billion in damage. Adjusted for inflation, that is $1.89 billion today.

1. Newcastle-South OKC-Moore tornado

This twister hit the ground on May 20, 2013, causing $2 billion in damages. Adjusted for inflation, that is over $2.6 billion today. This 2013 tornado was the third-costliest in United States history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.