The warm season of 2007 brought rainfall and flooding that approached or exceeded historical maxima in Oklahoma. Springtime rainfall was generally above normal for the state, and produced flooding typical of a “wet spring” in Oklahoma. However, the persistence of rainfall throughout the summer was exceptional. Certain aspects of the overland re-intensification of Tropical Storm Erin were unprecedented in Oklahoma, and perhaps for the Northern Hemisphere. Summertime precipitation and flooding resulted in four federal disaster declarations for Oklahoma within five months.

This presentation will detail the historical significance of the flood-producing conditions across Oklahoma, and the meteorological and climatological factors that contributed their occurrence. The societal, economic and public safety impacts of the 2007 events will be assessed as well.