(KTEN) – November 4, 2022 started out as a quiet day with temperatures in the 40s. Conditions quickly turned warm and humid as temperatures climbed to the 70s. The air felt ripe with moisture and the potential for a big severe weather day.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had issued a Moderate Risk (level 4 out of 5) for the eastern half of Texoma at the 11:30 a.m. CDT severe weather outlook update.

11:30 AM CT severe weather outlook on November 4
11:30 AM CT severe weather outlook on November 4 Storm Prediction Center

 

Within a few hours, storms erupted across Texoma and the KTEN Weather Team closely monitored their progress before the first tornado warning was issued at 1:08 p.m. on November 4. Wall-to-wall coverage promptly started at 1:09 p.m. and continued through 7:29 p.m. as a barrage of tornado warnings continued in Texoma.

A total of five tornadoes traversed the Texoma landscape on November 4, but three of those were of a significant impact to the region.

Two EF-4 tornadoes were spawned on November 4 that tore a path of destruction near Paris and through Powderly, Texas, as well as near Clarksville, Texas, and through Idabel, Oklahoma.

The Paris/Powderly tornado packed winds of up to 170 mph at its strongest point. The continual damage path stretched for 25.9 miles before crossing the Red River.

Track of the Lamar County to Choctaw County tornado
Track of the Lamar County to Choctaw County tornado KTEN

 

Several homes in Powderly were destroyed by the powerful EF-4 tornado.

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Image caption  

 

The tornado continued into Choctaw County, Oklahoma and caused damage in Sawyer before dissipating after a 18.8-mile path north of the Red River.

The Red River County, Texas, to McCurtain County, Oklahoma, tornado traveled 61 miles with winds speeds up to 170 mph at its strongest point.

Track of the Idabel, OK tornado
Track of the Idabel, OK tornado KTEN

 

A church in Idabel took a direct hit from the EF-4 tornado.

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A slew of buildings were damaged in Idabel.

Idabel's Kiamichi Family Medical Center was heavily damaged by a tornado on November 4, 2022.
Idabel's Kiamichi Family Medical Center was heavily damaged by a tornado on November 4, 2022. (KTEN)

 

The only tornado to take a life in Texoma was an EF-2 tornado that traveled 2.9 miles with peak winds of up to 125 mph near Pickens and Battiest in McCurtain County.

Track of the Pickens, OK tornado
Track of the Pickens, OK tornado KTEN

 

This is a good reminder that even the weaker tornadoes have the same dangerous characteristics of the strongest tornadoes.

Among other tornadoes that caused damage was a brief EF-1 tornado that flipped a tractor trailer into the median of US 69/75 in Calera, Oklahoma, as well as destroying a few mobile homes.

An 18-wheeler overturned in a storm on U.S. 69/75 in Calera, Oklahoma, on November 4, 2022.
An 18-wheeler overturned in a storm on U.S. 69/75 in Calera, Oklahoma, on November 4, 2022. (Courtesy Jimmy Cowart)

 

Peak wind speeds reached 95 to 105 mph along a 3.4-mile path.

Track of the Calera, OK tornado
Track of the Calera, OK tornado KTEN

 

A brief EF-1 tornado spawned near the McDaniel Deer Camp in northwestern McCurtain County, Oklahoma, and brought wind speeds of 100 to 110 mph before moving north into LeFlore County. In total, the tornado traveled 10.2 miles.

Track of the Honobia, OK tornado
Track of the Honobia, OK tornado KTEN

 

The Oklahoma Mesonet site located in Idabel, Oklahoma, registered a wind gust of 108 mph as the tornado passed near the site. This gust ranks as the fifth-highest ever recorded by the Oklahoma Mesonet.

The fifth highest wind gust was recorded by the OK Mesonet on November 4 thanks to a passing tornado
The fifth highest wind gust was recorded by the OK Mesonet on November 4 thanks to a passing tornado KTEN

 

In fact, 50 percent of all EF-4 tornadoes in the US in 2022 occurred during the November 4 outbreak in Texoma.

List of EF-4 tornadoes in 2022
List of EF-4 tornadoes in 2022 KTEN

 

As one year passes, we look back and remember the impact nature can have on our lives.