Quick Answer:
Piedmont, Oklahoma has experienced significant severe weather, including the May 24, 2011 EF5 tornado that passed near the community as it moved through Canadian County. For Piedmont families, that history is a reminder to plan ahead. Sprague’s Backhoe installs above-ground and below-ground storm shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Piedmont sits in a part of central Oklahoma where severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings are a familiar part of life. The community’s tornado history includes one particularly significant event that many residents still remember, the violent May 24, 2011 tornado that traveled through Canadian County near Piedmont.
That storm is a good reminder that tornado preparedness isn’t about predicting whether your exact neighborhood will be hit. It’s about knowing where your family will go before a warning is issued.
May 24, 2011: The EF5 Tornado Near Piedmont
On May 24, 2011, a violent tornado developed in Canadian County and traveled northeast through portions of Canadian, Kingfisher, and Logan counties.
The National Weather Service identifies it as the Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado. It ultimately received an EF5 rating, the highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The tornado remained on the ground for approximately 63 miles and reached a maximum width of about one mile. Nine people were killed and 181 were injured along its path.
After passing north of El Reno, the tornado continued northeast toward the Piedmont area. The National Weather Service reports that it narrowly missed the town of Piedmont before continuing toward Cashion and eventually northeast of Guthrie.
Mobile Doppler radar measured winds greater than 210 mph closer to the El Reno portion of the tornado’s path. The EF5 rating represents the tornado’s maximum documented intensity, not necessarily the wind speed or damage experienced at every point along the track.
What the 2011 Tornado Means for Piedmont Families
The most useful lesson from the 2011 tornado isn’t that Piedmont sits on a predetermined tornado path. Tornadoes don’t follow fixed routes from one storm to the next.
What it does show is that violent tornadoes are part of central Oklahoma’s severe weather history and can travel long distances across multiple communities and counties.
For Piedmont families, preparation should include several ways to receive warnings and a specific place to shelter when a tornado warning is issued.
Tornado Preparedness in Piedmont
A good severe weather plan should be simple enough that everyone in the household knows what to do without having to figure it out during a warning.
- Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including overnight.
- Know exactly where everyone will shelter.
- Include children, pets, and family members with mobility needs in the plan.
- Keep shoes, flashlights, and basic emergency supplies available.
- Keep the path to your shelter or designated safe area clear.
- Don’t rely only on outdoor warning sirens to alert you inside your home.
If you do not have a dedicated storm shelter, follow National Weather Service guidance and move to the safest available location in your home when a tornado warning is issued.
Storm Shelter Options for Piedmont Homes
Sprague’s Backhoe installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters in Piedmont. The better choice depends on your household, property, and accessibility needs.
Above-Ground Storm Shelters
Above-ground concrete storm shelters have level entry and no interior stairs. That makes them a practical choice for households with young children, older adults, people with limited mobility, and families bringing pets into the shelter.
Because there are no interior stairs, the full interior dimensions of an above-ground shelter are usable. The shelters Sprague’s Backhoe installs are secured directly into the ground using a steel ground anchoring system rather than requiring a separate concrete foundation.
For homeowners who are concerned about using stairs during a warning, accessibility is one of the strongest reasons to consider an above-ground shelter.
Below-Ground Storm Shelters
Piedmont is also within Sprague’s Backhoe’s below-ground service area, which generally extends about 60 miles from Blanchard.
Below-ground shelters require excavation and include interior stairs. Sprague’s Backhoe installs Slope Front and Easy Access models rather than flat-top or ladder-entry shelters.
Drainage around the installation area, property access, utilities, and ground conditions should all be considered when selecting a location.
Not sure which type is right for your household? Take our storm shelter quiz to compare above-ground and below-ground options.
Why Accessibility Matters During a Tornado Warning
A storm shelter only helps if your household can get into it when severe weather threatens.
For some Piedmont homeowners, that makes an above-ground shelter especially appealing. Level entry eliminates the need to climb down interior stairs while carrying a child, helping an older family member, or bringing pets into the shelter.
That doesn’t mean an above-ground shelter is automatically the best choice for every property. The goal is to choose a shelter your household can comfortably and reliably use when a warning is issued.
Storm Shelter Installation in Piedmont, Oklahoma
Sprague’s Backhoe has served Oklahoma families since 2013, with more than 20 years of experience in the storm shelter industry. Every installation is handled by Sprague’s Backhoe, with no subcontractors or rotating crews.
The storm shelters Sprague’s Backhoe installs are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines and are installed according to the manufacturer’s engineered design.
Above-ground storm shelter installation is available statewide in Oklahoma. Piedmont is also within the company’s general below-ground installation radius from Blanchard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the 2011 Piedmont tornado an EF4 or EF5?
The May 24, 2011 Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie tornado was rated EF5 by the National Weather Service. It remained on the ground for approximately 63 miles and affected portions of Canadian, Kingfisher, and Logan counties.
Did the 2011 EF5 tornado directly hit Piedmont?
The tornado passed through the Piedmont area, but the National Weather Service reports that it narrowly missed the town of Piedmont itself before continuing northeast toward Cashion and Guthrie.
Are above-ground storm shelters available in Piedmont?
Yes. Sprague’s Backhoe installs precast concrete above-ground storm shelters in Piedmont and throughout Oklahoma.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe install below-ground shelters in Piedmont?
Yes. Piedmont is within Sprague’s Backhoe’s general below-ground installation service area of about 60 miles from Blanchard, subject to property access and site conditions.
Why do some families prefer above-ground storm shelters?
Above-ground shelters have level entry with no interior stairs. That can make them easier to use for children, older adults, people with mobility limitations, and families bringing pets into the shelter.
Are above-ground storm shelters designed for violent tornadoes?
The above-ground shelters Sprague’s Backhoe installs are engineered and tested as complete shelter systems and are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines. Proper installation, anchoring, door design, and the overall engineered system all matter.
How long does an above-ground installation take in Piedmont?
An above-ground storm shelter installation typically takes about two hours when access, weather, and ground conditions are favorable.
Key Takeaways
- The May 24, 2011 tornado near Piedmont was rated EF5, not F4.
- The tornado traveled approximately 63 miles through Canadian, Kingfisher, and Logan counties.
- The National Weather Service reports that the tornado narrowly missed the town of Piedmont.
- Piedmont families should have multiple ways to receive warnings and a specific tornado shelter plan.
- Above-ground shelters can be especially practical for households that want level entry with no interior stairs.
- Sprague’s Backhoe installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters in Piedmont.
- The shelters Sprague’s Backhoe installs are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Considering a storm shelter for your Piedmont home? Contact Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 to compare above-ground and below-ground options and find the best fit for your property.
