A warm front lifted north into eastern Oklahoma from Texas on April 28th. A strong low level jet developed across the region, resulting in the unseasonably moist air that was in place being lifted over the frontal boundary. Widespread thunderstorm activity developed across the area from late on the 28th through the early morning hours of the 30th. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were typical across eastern Oklahoma with local areas receiving 6 to 10 inches of rain. This excessive rainfall, on top of what had fallen in the previous 10 days, resulted in moderate to major river flooding in the Verdigris River Basin, the Grand-Neosho River Basin, and the Lower Arkansas River Basin. Some of this flooding continued into the first week of May 2017.

Flood in ADAIR, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 01-MAY-17 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Illinois River near Watts rose above its flood stage of 13 feet at 11:00 am CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 30.16 feet at 7:00 am CDT on the 30th, resulting in record flooding. Disastrous flooding occurred from the Arkansas border to the Chewey Bridge, with many permanent campgrounds and cabins overtopped. Monetary damage estimates were not available. The river remained in flood through the end of April, then fell below flood stage at 8:30 am CDT on May 1st.

Flood in OTTAWA, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 04-MAY-17 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINCOLNVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Spring River near Quapaw rose above its flood stage of 20 feet at 4:00 pm CDT on April 29th. The river remained in flood through the end of April, and crested at 34.57 feet at 2:00 am CDT on May 1st, resulting in major flooding. Agricultural lands and county roads were flooded to a depth of several feet. The river then fell below flood stage at 12:00 am CDT on May 5th.

Flood in OTTAWA, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 06-MAY-17 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH MIAMI
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Neosho River near Commerce rose above its flood stage of 15 feet at 5:00 pm CDT on April 29th. The river remained in flood through the end of April, and crested at 22.12 feet at 4:45 pm CDT on May 3rd, resulting in moderate flooding. Highway 125 was flooded. Agricultural land was inundated, as was Riverview Park. The river then fell below flood stage at 6:15 pm CDT on May 6th.

Flood in TULSA, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 01-MAY-17 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (TUL)TULSA INTL ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Bird Creek near Owasso rose above its flood stage of 18 feet at 9:45 pm CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 20.74 feet at 4:00 am CDT on the 30th, resulting in moderate flooding. The river remained in flood through the remainder of April, falling below flood stage at 3:00 pm CDT on May 1st.

Flood in TULSA, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 02-MAY-17 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLLINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Caney River near Collinsville rose above its flood stage of 26 feet at 8:30 pm CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 29.71 feet at 8:30 am CDT on the 30th, resulting in moderate flooding. The river remained in flood through the end of April, finally falling below flood stage at 2:15 pm CDT on May 2nd.

Flood in TULSA, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 01-MAY-17 09:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Bird Creek near Sperry rose above its flood stage of 21 feet at 6:45 pm CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 26.00 feet at 9:30 pm CDT on the 30th, resulting in moderate flooding. The river remained in flood through the remainder of April, falling below flood stage at 10:30 am CDT on May 1st.

Flood in ADAIR, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 01-MAY-17 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHEWEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Illinois River near Chewey rose above its flood stage of 12 feet at 11:45 am CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 31.95 feet at 1:30 pm CDT on the 30th, resulting in major/near record flooding (2nd highest crest on record). Disastrous flooding occurred from near Fidler's Bend to near Hanging Rock, with many permanent campgrounds and cabins overtopped, and roads inundated. Monetary damage estimates were not available. The river remained in flood through the end of April, then fell below flood stage at 3:15 pm CDT on May 1st.

Flood in CHEROKEE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-MAY-17 00:00:00 to 02-MAY-17 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHLEQUAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Illinois River near Tahlequah rose above its flood stage of 11 feet at 12:30 pm CDT on April 29th. The river crested at 29.35 feet at 10:00 pm CDT on the 30th, resulting in major/near record flooding (2nd highest crest on record). Devastating flooding occurred from near Hanging Rock to the headwaters of Lake Tenkiller, with many permanent campgrounds and cabins overtopped, and roads inundated. Monetary damage estimates were not available. The river remained in flood through the end of April, then fell below flood stage at 9:30 am CDT on May 2nd.