Blanco tornado gets EF-3 rating, Oklahoma

The Blanco tornado that struck Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, on May 19, 2025, has been rated EF-3 by the National Weather Service (NWS). With a maximum width of 2.7 km (1.7 miles), it now ranks as the third-widest tornado recorded in Oklahoma since 1950.

The Blanco tornado that struck Pittsburg County on May 19 was rated EF-3 by the National Weather Service (NWS) on May 27.

The tornado touched down approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) southwest of Pittsburg at 17:44 CDT on May 19. It remained on the ground for 23 minutes, traveling 25.7 km (16 miles) before dissipating 14.5 km (9 miles) east-northeast of Blanco at 18:07 CDT.

Peak wind speeds were estimated between 217 and 233 km/h (135–145 mph), with the tornado reaching a maximum width of 2.7 km (1.7 miles).

One person was injured in a home that sustained severe damage.

This is reportedly the third-widest tornado in Oklahoma since records began in 1950.

The tornado destroyed the Blanco Fire Department building and at least 10 homes along its path. Reports indicate that more than 2 000 customers in Pittsburg County were without power on the morning of May 20, following the storms.

This tornado was part of a larger severe weather outbreak that impacted multiple states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska, on May 19. The NWS confirmed at least 17 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas during this event.

The outbreak resulted in widespread damage and left over 100 000 customers without power.

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Tornado destroys Blanco Fire Department and homes in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Feature image credit: Richard Dabbs