Quick Answer:
The April 19, 2023 Oklahoma tornado outbreak produced 18 tornadoes across central Oklahoma, including a destructive EF3 that struck Cole and an EF2 that moved through Shawnee. Sprague’s Backhoe watched the storms develop from nearby Bridge Creek, making this outbreak a particularly close reminder of the importance of having a tornado plan before warnings are issued.
On April 19, 2023, severe storms developed across central Oklahoma and produced a tornado outbreak that hit especially close to home for Sprague’s Backhoe.
From Bridge Creek, we could see the massive supercell developing to our south as the evening unfolded. Our family has a 7×9 above-ground storm shelter, and we were prepared to use it if the storms moved toward us.
By the end of the night, communities including Cole, Etowah, Pink, Bethel Acres, and Shawnee had been affected by tornadoes. The National Weather Service ultimately documented 18 tornadoes from the outbreak, ranging from EF0 to EF3.
What Happened on April 19, 2023?
Thunderstorms began developing along a dryline across southwestern and central Oklahoma during the late afternoon. Several storms quickly became severe, producing very large hail before some of the supercells became tornadic during the evening.
The National Weather Service documented 18 tornadoes:
| Rating | Number of Tornadoes |
|---|---|
| EF0 | 4 |
| EF1 | 8 |
| EF2 | 4 |
| EF3 | 2 |
The outbreak included tornadoes near Tinker Air Force Base, Dibble, Cole, Washington, Slaughterville, Etowah, Pink, Little Axe, Bethel Acres, Shawnee, and other parts of central Oklahoma.
Two EF3 tornadoes were documented during the event, one through Cole and another south of Pink.
The EF3 Tornado That Hit Cole
The Cole-Goldsby tornado became the most destructive tornado of the outbreak.
It developed north of Dibble at approximately 7:30 p.m. and traveled about 11 miles through the Cole area before dissipating northwest of Goldsby. The National Weather Service rated it EF3, with estimated peak winds of 150 to 155 mph.
Homes and mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in and around Cole. One man was killed when a mobile home was destroyed. A woman from a nearby mobile home later died from a heart attack while being transported to the hospital, which the National Weather Service classifies as an indirect fatality.
The tornado also injured two people.
A Family’s Above-Ground Shelter Survived the Cole Tornado
One story from Cole stood out to us after the outbreak.
News coverage following the tornado featured a family who had taken shelter inside their 7×9 above-ground concrete storm shelter while the tornado moved across their property.
The property around the shelter sustained extensive damage. Homes and a barn were destroyed, and the turbine vent was reportedly torn from the top of the shelter.
The family members who had taken shelter inside survived.
For us, this story hit especially close to home. Our own family uses a 7×9 above-ground shelter, and Cole is just down the road from Sprague’s Backhoe in Blanchard.
It’s important not to treat one storm or one surviving shelter as a substitute for engineering standards. But it was still powerful to see an above-ground concrete shelter doing exactly what it was designed to do while the property surrounding it suffered major tornado damage.
The Storm Continued East Toward Shawnee
The Cole tornado was only one part of the April 19 outbreak.
The same severe weather event continued producing tornadoes across Cleveland and Pottawatomie counties. Several EF2 tornadoes occurred during the evening, along with another EF3 tornado south of Pink.
Later that night, a large EF2 tornado developed southeast of Bethel Acres and moved into western and northern Shawnee.
The Shawnee tornado traveled approximately 15.5 miles and reached a maximum width of about 2,300 yards. Damage occurred at Oklahoma Baptist University and in other parts of Shawnee before the tornado continued north toward the Lincoln County line.
The unusual movement of several tornadoes that evening was also noteworthy. The National Weather Service reported that some tornadoes tended to turn north and west during portions of their lifespans.
That’s another reason Oklahoma families shouldn’t try to predict where a tornado will go based on what it appears to be doing from a distance. If your location is included in a tornado warning, take the warning seriously and move to your safe location.
What We Remember About That Night in Bridge Creek
For Sprague’s Backhoe, this wasn’t a storm we were watching from hundreds of miles away.
We were at home in Bridge Creek watching the storm develop to our south. We knew where our family would go if the warning reached us because our 7×9 above-ground storm shelter was already in place.
Then the damage happened just a short distance away in Cole.
After the outbreak, we heard from a lot of Oklahoma families who had been thinking about getting a storm shelter but had continued putting it off. Seeing major tornado damage so close to home changed the conversation for many of them.
That happens after almost every significant tornado event. A storm shelter moves from the “someday” list to something families want to take care of before the next warning.
Above-Ground Storm Shelters After the Cole Tornado
One of the questions Sprague’s Backhoe hears regularly is whether an above-ground storm shelter can provide tornado protection without being underground.
The answer is yes, when the shelter is properly engineered, constructed, anchored, and installed for above-ground use.
Above-ground concrete storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe are specifically designed for above-ground installation and are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines for extreme winds and wind-borne debris.
They also offer several practical advantages:
- No interior stairs: Entry is at ground level.
- Full usable interior: Stairs don’t take up floor space inside the shelter.
- Easier access: Level entry can be helpful for children, older adults, pets, and people with mobility concerns.
- No below-ground water intrusion: The shelter isn’t installed in an excavated hole where groundwater or heavy rain can enter.
Sprague’s Backhoe offers standard 5×7, 6×8, and 7×9 above-ground concrete storm shelters and installs above-ground shelters throughout Oklahoma.
Above-Ground vs. Below-Ground Isn’t the Most Important Question
Above-ground and below-ground shelters are different, but being underground isn’t the only thing that determines whether a storm shelter can provide tornado protection.
Engineering, construction, doors, hardware, anchoring, and proper installation all matter.
For some families, an above-ground shelter is the better choice because it’s easier to enter. Others prefer a below-ground shelter and are comfortable with the stairs and property requirements that come with it.
Sprague’s Backhoe installs both types in central Oklahoma, and both are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
What Oklahoma Families Can Learn From April 19, 2023
The biggest lesson from this outbreak isn’t that every Oklahoma family needs to choose the same type of storm shelter.
It’s that the decision about where you’ll go during a tornado warning needs to be made before the warning arrives.
Know where your safest location is. Make sure everyone in your household knows when to go there. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, including a method capable of waking you at night.
If you have a storm shelter, keep the path to it clear and make sure everyone in the household can access it quickly.
If you don’t have a storm shelter, identify the safest available location in a sturdy building, generally a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor away from windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tornadoes occurred in Oklahoma on April 19, 2023?
The National Weather Service documented 18 tornadoes during the April 19, 2023 severe weather and tornado outbreak across central Oklahoma.
How strong was the Cole tornado?
The Cole-Goldsby tornado was rated EF3. The National Weather Service estimated peak winds of 150 to 155 mph. It traveled approximately 11 miles and reached a maximum width of about 1,200 yards.
How many people died during the Cole tornado?
The National Weather Service records one direct tornado fatality and two injuries. A second person died from a heart attack while being transported to the hospital following the tornado and is classified as an indirect fatality.
Was Shawnee hit by the same tornado that hit Cole?
No. The April 19 outbreak produced numerous separate tornadoes. The tornado that struck Cole was an EF3. Later that evening, a separate EF2 tornado moved through western and northern portions of Shawnee.
Did an above-ground storm shelter survive the Cole tornado?
Yes. News coverage after the tornado featured a family who survived inside a 7×9 above-ground concrete storm shelter while extensive damage occurred around their property. Individual survival stories are not a replacement for proper engineering and installation standards, but this was a powerful real-world example of an above-ground shelter being used during a significant tornado.
Are above-ground storm shelters safe during tornadoes?
Properly designed and installed above-ground safe rooms can provide tornado protection without being underground. Sprague’s Backhoe installs above-ground concrete storm shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Are above-ground shelters FEMA certified?
No. FEMA does not certify or approve individual storm shelter products. Storm shelters can instead be designed and constructed to meet FEMA safe room guidelines and applicable standards.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe install the 7×9 above-ground shelter mentioned in this article?
Yes. The 7×9 is one of the standard above-ground concrete storm shelter sizes installed by Sprague’s Backhoe. Sprague’s Backhoe also offers standard 5×7 and 6×8 above-ground models.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe install storm shelters in Cole and surrounding communities?
Yes. Cole, Blanchard, Goldsby, Washington, Purcell, Norman, Newcastle, and surrounding central Oklahoma communities are within Sprague’s Backhoe’s storm shelter service area. Above-ground installation is also available statewide in Oklahoma.
Key Takeaways
- The National Weather Service documented 18 tornadoes during the April 19, 2023 Oklahoma tornado outbreak.
- The Cole-Goldsby tornado was rated EF3 with estimated peak winds of 150 to 155 mph.
- The Cole tornado caused one direct fatality, two injuries, and extensive damage to homes and other structures.
- A separate EF2 tornado later caused widespread damage in Shawnee, including at Oklahoma Baptist University.
- A family in Cole survived the tornado inside a 7×9 above-ground concrete storm shelter despite extensive damage around their property.
- Above-ground storm shelters can provide tornado protection when properly engineered, constructed, anchored, and installed.
- Sprague’s Backhoe installs above-ground and below-ground storm shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
- The best time to decide where your family will shelter is before a tornado warning is issued.
Don’t wait for the next Oklahoma tornado outbreak to decide where your family will go. Contact Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 for a free quote on an above-ground or below-ground storm shelter for your Oklahoma home.
