Tulsa storm season checklist
When severe weather usually peaks around Tulsa, and what to check before it does.
When the season peaks
- In NOAA Storm Prediction Center climatology for the Tulsa (INX) radar area (within 124 nautical miles), 1980-2006, the primary severe season runs from about March 9 to July 28, and the daily peak in reports falls around April 25 (SPC severe weather climatology for the Tulsa (INX) radar area, 1980-2006).
- May has the most severe reports in that data, about 234 a year on average, followed by April (175), June (159) and March (93). Tornado reports peak in May (about 17) and April (about 9) (same source).
- Reports cluster in the early evening; the busiest hour is around 7 p.m. local daylight time (00 UTC) (same source).
- Tulsa County recorded 101 tornadoes from 1950 to 2025, Rogers 81, Creek 76 and Wagoner 64 (NWS Norman, Oklahoma tornadoes by county, 1950-2025).
Before March
- Open the shelter, check the door, latch and seal, and clear out water or debris.
- Stock water, a flashlight, a NOAA Weather Radio with fresh batteries, shoes and a first aid kit in or near the shelter.
- Register the shelter with your city or county, or update it if you bought the house (registration by city).
- If you plan to buy a shelter, start in winter: Glenpool says permit review can take up to 10 business days (Glenpool storm shelter permit packet), and installers book up after spring storms.
On a watch day
- Charge phones, put shoes and a helmet by the shelter, and know where pets are.
- Outdoor sirens are meant for people outside; Claremore's sound only for tornado warnings (Claremore Emergency Management). Use more than one way to get warnings.
After the storm
- Photograph damage before cleanup, stay away from downed lines, and check on neighbors who registered as needing help.
The state SoonerSafe rebate is not open for 2026 (status).
Newer guides: SoonerSafe rebate status for 2026
Public storm shelters in Tulsa
Do not count on one. The director of the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency told KJRH there are no public storm shelters in Tulsa County, and that it is statistically safer to shelter in place than to drive to one (KJRH: with few public storm shelters, officials recommend sheltering in place). KTUL reported that fire stations are not designated public shelters (KTUL: public storm shelters a rarity). Surrounding towns set their own policies, so check with your city before storm season. If you have a private shelter, register it with the City of Tulsa so responders know where to look (City of Tulsa storm shelter registration).
Last checked Oct 24, 2026.
Related: shelter costs and shelter types. When you are ready, request a quote.