Quick Answer:
Tuttle, Oklahoma’s tornado history includes the memorable May 6, 2015 “Tigernado,” when tornado damage at Tiger Safari led to reports of exotic animals getting loose. Sprague’s Backhoe installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters in Tuttle, with options designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
You know you live in Oklahoma when a local tornado ends up with a nickname like the “Tigernado.”
On May 6, 2015, severe storms and tornadoes moved through central Oklahoma, including the Tuttle area. Damage at Tiger Safari led to reports that exotic animals had gotten loose, and the story quickly made headlines far beyond Oklahoma.
For Sprague’s Backhoe, the Tuttle area also has a personal connection. Our family moved into a home about two miles from Tiger Safari just a few months later, in October 2015. The Tigernado was still very fresh in everyone’s minds, and it definitely made for some interesting conversations with the new neighbors.
We lived there for about four years before moving across the highway to the Bridge Creek area. Today, Sprague’s Backhoe still installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters throughout Tuttle and the surrounding area.
The Tuttle “Tigernado” of May 6, 2015
May 6, 2015 was a major severe weather day across Oklahoma, with numerous tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and flooding reported across the region.
For Tuttle, the storm became memorable for a reason nobody could have predicted.
Severe weather damaged enclosures at Tiger Safari, an exotic animal park near Tuttle. Reports that tigers and other animals had gotten loose prompted warnings for nearby residents to remain indoors while the situation was handled.
The animals were eventually accounted for, but the unusual combination of tornado warnings and escaped exotic animals earned the event its lasting local nickname: the “Tigernado.”
It’s one of those Oklahoma weather stories that sounds made up until you realize people in Tuttle actually lived through it.
May 6, 2015 Was a Much Bigger Severe Weather Event
The Tiger Safari story grabbed the headlines, but the weather event itself was much larger than what happened at the animal park.
Multiple tornadoes occurred across central Oklahoma that day. Severe thunderstorms also produced damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, and flash flooding.
The Bridge Creek area was affected by a significant tornado during the same outbreak, bringing the severe weather particularly close to communities throughout northern Grady County.
For families in Tuttle, Newcastle, Bridge Creek, Blanchard, and surrounding communities, May 6 was another example of how one severe weather setup can affect several nearby areas within a matter of hours.
More Tornado Activity Near Tuttle in May 2023
Tornado activity near Tuttle didn’t end with the Tigernado.
On May 11, 2023, another severe weather event produced multiple tornadoes across central Oklahoma.
A tornado was documented near Tuttle during the event and received an EF-U rating. An EF-U rating means a tornado was confirmed, but there wasn’t enough damage information available to assign an EF0 through EF5 rating.
That’s an important distinction. EF-U doesn’t describe how weak or strong a tornado was. It means its intensity couldn’t be determined from the available damage indicators.
Tuttle and the May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore Tornado
One of Oklahoma’s most famous tornadoes also passed through nearby communities on May 3, 1999.
The Bridge Creek-Moore tornado was rated F5 on the original Fujita Scale. The Enhanced Fujita Scale wasn’t adopted in the United States until 2007, so calling the 1999 tornado an EF5 is technically incorrect.
Mobile Doppler radar measured winds around 301 mph during the tornado near Bridge Creek. The tornado continued northeast through parts of the Oklahoma City metro and caused catastrophic damage along its path.
Tuttle wasn’t the center of the destruction, but the tornado’s path through nearby Bridge Creek makes it an important part of the area’s severe weather history.
What Tuttle’s Tornado History Actually Tells Us
It’s tempting to look at tornado maps and start identifying places that seem more likely to be hit. Tornadoes don’t follow predetermined paths through Tuttle, Bridge Creek, Newcastle, or anywhere else in Oklahoma.
Past tornado tracks can’t tell us exactly where the next tornado will go.
What Tuttle’s history does show is much simpler: strong severe weather can occur in this part of central Oklahoma, and being prepared before a warning is issued matters.
Oklahoma historically sees its highest tornado activity during spring, especially April and May, but tornadoes can occur outside the traditional spring season whenever atmospheric conditions are favorable.
Storm Shelter Options for Tuttle Families
Sprague’s Backhoe installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters throughout Tuttle.
Both types are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines. The better choice for an individual household comes down to accessibility, property conditions, available space, and personal preference.
Above-Ground Storm Shelters
Above-ground concrete storm shelters provide level entry with no interior stairs.
That makes them a practical choice for households with older adults, young children, mobility concerns, or anyone who simply doesn’t want to navigate stairs during a tornado warning.
Because there are no interior stairs, the full interior dimensions can be used for people, pets, seating, and emergency supplies.
Sprague’s Backhoe offers standard 5×7, 6×8, and 7×9 above-ground models.
Below-Ground Storm Shelters
Tuttle is also within Sprague’s Backhoe’s below-ground storm shelter service area.
Below-ground options include standard Slope Front and Easy Access models. The Easy Access design has a gentler stair angle, while the Slope Front design leaves more usable floor space inside the shelter.
Below-ground installation requires excavation, so underground utilities, drainage, equipment access, and property conditions all need to be considered when choosing a location.
Below-ground shelters are not watertight, and some water can enter during periods of heavy rain. Good drainage around the installation area can help reduce water intrusion.
Above-Ground vs. Below-Ground Storm Shelters in Tuttle
| Consideration | Above Ground | Below Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Level entry with no stairs | Interior stairs |
| Usable Space | Full interior dimensions usable | Stairs reduce usable floor space |
| Installation | Placed by crane and anchored into the ground | Excavation required |
| Water | No below-ground water intrusion | Some water may enter during heavy rain |
| Accessibility | Best option when avoiding stairs is important | Depends on stair design and individual mobility |
Neither option should be chosen simply because someone says underground is automatically safer or above ground is automatically better.
A properly designed storm shelter should provide a dependable place to take shelter during a tornado. The shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Storm Shelter Installation in Tuttle
Tuttle’s proximity to Blanchard and Bridge Creek puts it well within Sprague’s Backhoe’s service area for both types of storm shelters.
Above-ground installation typically takes about two hours when weather, ground conditions, and property access are favorable. The concrete shelter is placed using a crane and secured directly into the ground with a steel ground anchoring system.
Below-ground installations generally take about three to four hours when conditions are favorable and require excavation before the concrete shelter is placed.
Every installation is handled by Sprague’s Backhoe, with no subcontractors or rotating crews.
Choosing a Storm Shelter Size
Sprague’s Backhoe offers standard storm shelter sizes rather than custom sizes.
Above-ground shelters are available in 5×7, 6×8, and 7×9 models. Below-ground options include 6×8 Slope Front, 6×8 Easy Access, and 7×10 Slope Front models.
When choosing a size, think beyond the number of people in your household. Pets, seating, emergency supplies, and personal space all affect how comfortable a shelter feels during a warning.
Above-ground models have no interior stairs, so the entire interior floor space is usable. Below-ground models have interior stairs that reduce the usable floor area.
Preparing for Tornadoes in Tuttle
A storm shelter is only one part of a good tornado plan.
Families should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and know exactly what they’ll do when a tornado warning is issued for their location.
- Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone.
- Consider a properly programmed NOAA Weather Radio, especially for nighttime warnings.
- Keep the path to your storm shelter clear.
- Have sturdy shoes and battery-powered lighting available.
- Decide ahead of time who will help children and pets.
- Check emergency supplies periodically.
- Move to shelter when your location is threatened rather than waiting to see or hear a tornado.
Outdoor warning sirens can provide another alert, but they’re primarily designed to warn people outdoors and shouldn’t be your household’s only warning method.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Tigernado in Tuttle, Oklahoma?
The “Tigernado” is the nickname associated with the May 6, 2015 severe weather event in Tuttle. Storm damage at Tiger Safari led to reports of exotic animals getting loose, prompting warnings for nearby residents to stay indoors while the animals were accounted for.
Did a tornado actually cause tigers to escape in Tuttle?
Severe weather damaged enclosures at Tiger Safari during the May 6, 2015 storms, leading to reports of tigers and other exotic animals getting loose. The unusual story quickly became associated with the nickname “Tigernado.”
Was the 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado an EF5?
No. The May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado was rated F5 on the original Fujita Scale. The Enhanced Fujita Scale, which uses EF ratings, wasn’t adopted in the United States until 2007.
Were 321 mph winds recorded during the 1999 tornado?
Mobile Doppler radar measured winds around 301 mph during the May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado. You’ll sometimes see different figures associated with this tornado, but approximately 301 mph is the commonly cited measurement.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe install above-ground storm shelters in Tuttle?
Yes. Sprague’s Backhoe installs above-ground concrete storm shelters throughout Tuttle and statewide in Oklahoma.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe install below-ground storm shelters in Tuttle?
Yes. Tuttle is within Sprague’s Backhoe’s below-ground storm shelter service area. Slope Front and Easy Access models are available for qualifying properties.
Which type of storm shelter is better for a Tuttle home?
It depends on the household and property. Above-ground shelters provide level entry and no interior stairs. Below-ground shelters appeal to homeowners who prefer an underground design. Accessibility, drainage, property layout, and personal preference should all be considered.
Are above-ground storm shelters safe during tornadoes?
Properly designed and installed above-ground safe rooms can provide tornado protection without being underground. The storm shelters Sprague’s Backhoe installs are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines for extreme winds and wind-borne debris.
Are Sprague’s Backhoe storm shelters FEMA certified?
No. FEMA does not certify or approve individual storm shelter products. Sprague’s Backhoe installs shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- The May 6, 2015 severe weather event in Tuttle became locally known as the “Tigernado” after damage at Tiger Safari led to reports of exotic animals getting loose.
- Another tornado was documented near Tuttle during the May 11, 2023 severe weather event.
- The nearby May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado was rated F5, not EF5, and mobile Doppler radar measured winds around 301 mph.
- Past tornado tracks do not determine where future tornadoes will travel.
- Sprague’s Backhoe installs both above-ground and below-ground storm shelters in Tuttle.
- Above-ground shelters provide level entry with no interior stairs, while below-ground shelters are available in Slope Front and Easy Access designs.
- The storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines.
Considering a storm shelter for your Tuttle home? Contact Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 for a free quote and help choosing an above-ground or below-ground option for your property.
