Tulsa Severe Weather Preparedness Guide
Complete preparedness guide for tornadoes, hail, flooding, and ice storms in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Updated 2026.
Have Someone Call YouTulsa's Year-Round Severe Weather Calendar
5-8/yr
Significant hail events in Tulsa County
Apr–Jun
Peak tornado season
42"
Average annual rainfall
24 hrs
Mold onset in Tulsa's humidity
Tulsa sits in the heart of Tornado Alley, experiencing one of the most active severe weather environments in America. Supercell thunderstorms form over the Osage Hills and track northeast through the metro from late March through early July, delivering hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding. The Arkansas River creates persistent flood risk, as the catastrophic 2019 flood demonstrated. And Oklahoma's ice storms — like the devastating 2007 and 2020 events — bring pipe bursts, power outages, and tree damage across the metro.
Tornado Preparedness
Identify your safe room — interior room on lowest floor, away from windows (closets, bathrooms, under stairwells)
Know the difference: Tornado WATCH = conditions favorable; Tornado WARNING = tornado detected, take shelter immediately
Install a weather radio with battery backup — sirens are outdoor warning only and may not wake you at night
Pre-plan where children, pets, and mobility-limited family members will shelter
Keep shoes, flashlight, phone charger, and identification in your safe room
Know your home's construction — mobile/manufactured homes offer ZERO tornado protection; pre-plan an alternate shelter
Hail Season Preparedness
Schedule a professional roof inspection before April each year — document pre-storm condition
Consider impact-resistant shingles (Class 4) — Oklahoma insurance companies often offer 15-25% discounts
Photograph your roof, siding, windows, and outdoor AC unit before storm season for insurance baseline
Know your wind/hail deductible — Oklahoma percentage-based deductibles can mean $5,000-$10,000+ out of pocket
After any hailstorm: check gutters for granule accumulation, inspect siding for cracks, and document all damage before cleanup
Flood Preparedness
Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov — the 2019 flood proved properties outside traditional zones can flood
Purchase NFIP flood insurance BEFORE you need it — 30-day waiting period after purchase
Keep critical documents, medications, and electronics above potential flood levels
Know your sump pump status and have a battery backup — power often fails during the storms that cause flooding
Clear all storm drains near your property before heavy rain season
Ice Storm Preparedness
Insulate exposed pipes — especially in crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls
Know how to shut off your main water supply — when pipes freeze, fast shutoff prevents flooding
Keep faucets dripping during hard freezes to prevent pipe freezing
Trim tree branches within 10 feet of your home and power lines
Stock emergency supplies for 72+ hours without power — heating, water, food, medications
After Any Severe Weather Event
Document ALL damage with photos and video BEFORE any cleanup
Report damage to your insurance company within 48 hours
Do NOT sign contracts with door-knocking storm chasers — verify Oklahoma licensing first
Begin water extraction immediately if any water entered your home — mold starts in 24 hours
Save all receipts for emergency repairs — insurance reimburses reasonable mitigation costs
Need help after a storm? RapidShield connects Tulsa homeowners with vetted, Oklahoma-licensed restoration professionals — not storm chasers. Free referral. 24/7 dispatch.
Have Someone Call YouWhat RapidShield Does
RapidShield Restoration is not a restoration company. We are an emergency dispatch and referral service. We connect you — immediately and at no cost — with the highest-rated, IICRC-certified restoration professionals available in your area.
A Property Emergency in Tulsa Won't Wait — And Neither Should You.
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