The February Tornado Oklahoma Will Never Forget

It might be a very rare occasion, but tornadoes can always happen any time of year in Oklahoma. We're just days away from celebrating the anniversary of one of the strongest tornadoes recorded in February in Oklahoma's history.

We just wrapped up the month that, historically speaking, has the least amount of tornadoes each year, which means that it's only up from here.

Winter months specifically are a lot less likely to produce strong tornadoes, or any at all, but history has proven that we can never let our guard down completely.

February's most deadly tornado on record in Oklahoma originally formed in Texas.

In the evening of February 10, 2009, a strong line of storms was developing near Montague, Texas. The storms eventually produced a total of six tornadoes that impacted Oklahoma that day, but one in particular stood apart from the rest.

The other tornadoes, ranging between EF0 and EF2 ratings, left parts of Tulsa, McCurtain, Payne, Logan, and Pawnee counties with minimal damage to structures and landmarks.

However, the strongest tornado that day impacted Lone Grove area and in the Majestic Hills area, north of Ardmore.

Winds from the notorious tornado produced between 166 and 200 miles per hour.

While all of the other five tornadoes that day only damaged property, this one claimed eight lives and injured a total of 46 people. Most of the people killed in the tornado were unfortunately found in mobile homes, where they could not seek proper shelter from such a strong storm.

This tornado left more than a destructive path in its wake. Not only were the mobile homes it hit completely wiped with little to no recognizable features, but the homes and buildings it cleared were also severely damaged.

READ MORE: Girl Scout Cookies Are Coming Back To Southwest Oklahoma This February 

In memory of the people lost that day, Lone Grove has a headstone next to the park bandshell that reads "February 10, 2009. In memory of those who lost their lives and in recognition of all those who rebuilt and those who helped other rebuild their lives."

Despite the loss, Oklahomans have grown and learned from devastating situations like the February 10 tornado. Hopefully this year, Oklahoma's February storm season remains quiet and calm.