Thunderstorms developed during the early evening of August 31st across northeastern Oklahoma, as a cold front approached from the northwest. These storms moved southeast across eastern Oklahoma, and produced damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall. Atmospheric moisture was very high, which resulted in the thunderstorms producing very high rainfall rates. Additionally, the region had previously received heavy rainfall from thunderstorms that moved through during the morning hours of the 31st, and this round of very heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding that continued through the morning of the 1st. This widespread heavy rainfall also resulted in mainstem river flooding along the Poteau River, which saw major flooding near Panama, and moderate flooding near Poteau.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSBURG, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 00:16:00 to 01-SEP-20 00:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYWOOD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.

Flash Flood in MCINTOSH, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 01-SEP-20 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUFAULA ARPK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Portions of Highway 69 and Highway 150 were flooded.

Flash Flood in PITTSBURG, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 01:54:00 to 01-SEP-20 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH MC ALESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A vehicle was driven into flood water near Electric Avenue and Main Street, where it stalled. Portions of several roads in McAlester were closed.

Flash Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 02:48:00 to 01-SEP-20 06:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PANAMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A home southwest of Panama was evacuated due to rising flood waters.

Flash Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 03:00:00 to 01-SEP-20 06:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHADY PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple houses were flooded in Shady Point, and at least one car was stalled in flood water. Multiple people were rescued from one of the flooded homes.

Flash Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 03:34:00 to 01-SEP-20 06:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: POTEAU
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple swift water rescues were conducted in and around Poteau, as people became stranded in flood water.

Flash Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 05:01:00 to 01-SEP-20 09:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOWE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Portions of numerous roads were flooded and closed throughout Le Flore County. Multiple swift water rescues were conducted.

Flash Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 06:32:00 to 01-SEP-20 09:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHADY PT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Multiple empty mobile homes at a mobile home sales lot were floated away by rising flood water.

Flash Flood in PITTSBURG, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 07:09:00 to 01-SEP-20 09:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC ALESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 31 were flooded and closed between Haywood and McAlester.

Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 07:00:00 to 02-SEP-20 12:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Poteau River near Poteau rose above its flood stage of 24 feet at 8:00 am CDT September 1st. The river crested at 28.34 feet at 9:00 pm CDT on the 1st, resulting in moderate flooding. Croplands and county roads were inundated by flood water. The river fell below flood stage at 1:45 pm CDT on the 2nd.

Flood in LE FLORE, OKLAHOMA
From 01-SEP-20 03:15:00 to 04-SEP-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: COAL CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Poteau River near Panama rose above its flood stage of 29 feet at 4:15 am CDT on September 1st. The river crested at 41.13 feet at 12:45 pm CDT on the 2nd, resulting in major flooding. Very severe agricultural flooding occurred and many county roads were totally impassable. The river fell below flood stage at 5:00 pm CDT on the 4th.