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Atoka, Oklahoma

17 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1899 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Central Atoka census division. It lies in ZIP code area 74525. It stands on Sand Creek. The Survey maps it on the Lehigh quadrangle. 3,195 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 581 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Atoka within Atoka County

On record in Atoka

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 records

Population over time

2 figures

Atoka grew from 3,107 to 3,195 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20103,107
20203,195+88 (+3%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 17 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

5 photographs, 1938

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

She lives on "Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma
She lives on "Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1938. Library of Congress
Slab house in clearing east of Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County
Slab house in clearing east of Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1938. Library of Congress
"Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma. "Most of the people here have farmed, now they're on Work Projects Administration at twenty-three dollars and ten cents a month. Their hold to this country used to be timber work, but that's cut out"
"Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma. "Most of the people here have farmed, now they're on Work Projects Administration at twenty-three dollars and ten cents a month. Their hold to this country used to be timber work, but that's cut out"
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1938. Library of Congress
Man living on "Scratch Hill" outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma. "I'm going west because this country's through, there isn't anything here for anyone. I'm going west to Lubbock and Arizona. Last year I worked in the cotton"
Man living on "Scratch Hill" outside Atoka, Oklahoma. Atoka County, Oklahoma. "I'm going west because this country's through, there isn't anything here for anyone. I'm going west to Lubbock and Arizona. Last year I worked in the cotton"
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1938. Library of Congress
Home on "Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. "I was offered twenty dollars for that house. I pay six dollars rent a year, and have some chickens and a garden"
Home on "Scratch Hill," outside Atoka, Oklahoma. "I was offered twenty dollars for that house. I pay six dollars rent a year, and have some chickens and a garden"
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1938. Library of Congress

Fires near this place

24 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 24 fires within 5 miles of Atoka between 1992 and 2018, burning about 3,427 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 6 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined11
Arson/incendiarism6
Natural3
Debris and open burning2
Equipment and vehicle use2

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 2011Equipment and vehicle use320 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry10539
7 August 2011Arson/incendiarism40 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry10430
3 August 2005Natural10 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry10340
6 July 2010Equipment and vehicle use10 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry10115
25 July 2006Debris and open burning25 acresTalihina AgencyBRANGUS
3 March 1996Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
3 March 1996Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
3 March 1996Missing data/not specified/undetermined5.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Atoka County

Mines and quarries near this place

5 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 5 workings within 5 miles of Atoka: 5 past producers. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Unknown Shale PitClayPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Atoka County

Storms near this place

60 of 91 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Atoka in 91 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 37 hail, 35 thunderstorm wind, 11 flash flood, 4 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
April 2005LightningAtoka$200,000A home was struck by lightning in the early morning hours causing a fire. The lightning struck a dryer vent in the roof which sparked an electrical fire in an inside wall that spread to the attic. It was estimated that half the house was completely burned with the rest of the home sustaining some damage.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindAtoka$150,000Several trees were uprooted and downed. One tree fell on a car while another fell on a house heavily damaging it. Numerous tree limbs and some power lines were also downed. Several businesses had windows knocked out and sustained roof damage. A few sheds also lost roofs.
August 1994Thunderstorm WindAtoka$50,000no account filed
August 2003Thunderstorm WindAtoka$35,000An unoccupied mobile home was rolled over along with numerous trees and power lines downed.
April 2002Tornado (F1)Atoka$30,000This tornado, witnessed by at least one local citizen, formed on the west side of Atoka and moved three miles before dissipating on the north side of Atoka. Damage was sustained to hangar doors at a local airport. A boat inside the hangar was blown outside. A travel trailer was blown over, and damage was sustained to stands at a baseball park.
May 2025Flash FloodAtoka$25,000Two houses were evacuated due to rising floodwaters near the intersection of 5th Street and South Adams Street. A relayed image shows floodwaters entering at least one of these houses. The event time is approximate and likely occurred towards the end of the listed time frame.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindAtoka$20,000Multiple structures with varying degrees of roof damage. A large brick building had a partial roof collapse. Time is radar estimated.
April 2011Tornado (EF1)Atoka$20,000Another area of damage occurred south of the large tornado that devastated Tushka. This tornado damaged numerous trees and power lines. Monetary damages were estimated.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindAtoka$20,000A large tree fell through the roof of a home. Monetary damages were estimated.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindAtoka$15,000Reports of a tree on a house on E 1ST. Additional reports of multiple power poles down or broken.
August 1999LightningAtoka$15,000no account filed
July 2005Flash FloodAtoka$10,000Strong to severe thunderstorms moved over Atoka County in southeastern Oklahoma, and dumped heavy rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches during a 48-hour period ending at 6:00 am CST on July 5. Most of the heavy rain fell from 12:00 am CST to 6:00 am CST on July 5, and although the area had been suffering through drought conditions, and soil moisture conditions were dry, the rapid runoff produced flash flooding in Atoka County during the early morning hours of July 5. At 2:40 am CST on July 5, an Atoka County law enforcement official reported that an underpass on a local road had flooded in the city of Atoka, and a car had been stranded in the floodwaters.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindAtoka$5,000Report of trees and power lines down in the city of Atoka. Several other reports of tree damage and power lines downed across the county.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindAtoka$5,000Several tree limbs were blown down. Monetary damages were estimated.
August 1994Thunderstorm WindAtoka$5,000no account filed
February 2001Thunderstorm WindAtoka$2,500Several trees and power lines were downed.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindAtoka$1,000Several large trees were downed.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindAtoka$500Small trees were blown down.
April 1998Thunderstorm WindAtoka$500Severe thunderstorm winds downed power lines.
April 1998Thunderstorm WindAtoka$500Severe thunderstorm winds downed power lines.
June 2003Thunderstorm WindAtoka$70Several tree limbs were downed.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindAtoka$10Tree limbs were downed.
March 2026HailAtoka-Images were relayed via NWSChat. The location is approximate.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindAtoka-A few trees were blown down in and near Atoka. The location is approximate, and the event time is estimated based on radar observations.
May 2025Flash FloodAtoka-Relayed images show significant roadway flooding along West 6th Street due to water rise from a nearby creek. The event time is approximate.
June 2025Tornado (EF0)Atoka-A television storm chaser observed a tornado to the west-northwest of Atoka. The beginning location of this tornado is estimated, but emergency management officials reported damage to tree branches near the end of the tornado's path near Atoka Lake.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindAtoka-A personal weather station observation.
September 2025HailAtoka-The report was relayed by emergency management.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Minor tree damage, including multiple small (<3-inch diameter) tree branches blown down, around the community of Atoka. Time is radar estimated.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Estimated wind gust.
May 2024HailAtoka-MPing report. Based on radar evidence, hailfall likely occurred prior (0940-0950 LST) to report time.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Numerous large tree limbs blown down throughout the community of Atoka. Time is radar estimated.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Windows blown out at a business with some road signs downed as well.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Tree downed on a carport.
March 2016HailAtoka-No damage was reported.
March 2016HailAtoka-No damage was reported.
May 2016Tornado (EF1)Atoka-The tornado moved back into Atoka County crossing Division Street near EW-177 Road after moving across southeastern Coal County. More tree damage was observed along Division Street and North Coal Creek Road before the tornado dissipated just east of North Coal Creek Road.
May 2015Flash FloodAtoka-Streets covered with up to two feet of water.
May 2015Flash FloodAtoka-Flood waters up to two feet deep on several area roads.
May 2013Flash FloodAtoka-Flooding and road closures reported at the 900 block of W 6th St. and the 700 block of E 6th St. No damage was reported.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindAtoka-The wind gust was measured at the Atoka Airport.
July 2007Flash FloodAtoka-Numerous county roads across the county were closed due to high water.
May 2007Flash FloodAtoka-Several city streets were closed due to high water. Many county roads were also closed.
April 2006FloodAtoka-Heavy rains in a 24 hour period on April 28-29 produced heavy runoff that resulted in riverine flooding in southeastern Oklahoma. Minor rural flooding occurred along Clear Boggy Creek in Atoka county on April 29-May 1 after the Clear Boggy Creek basin received rainfall amounts of 2.5 to 4+ inches. The Clear Boggy Creek near Caney, OK crested at 20.5 feet, 1.5 feet above flood stage, at 2:00 pm CST on April 29, and remained above flood stage from 9:30 am CST on April 29 to 3:00 am CST on May 1. In addition, moderate rises were also observed on the Blue River and Muddy Boggy Creek in southeastern Oklahoma during this period.
May 2006Flash FloodAtoka-At 810 pm CST, a report from the public indicated that numerous streets were inundated by high water in the city of Atoka in Atoka County.
May 2006FloodAtoka-Riverine flooding of the Clear Boggy Creek in Atoka county began during the morning hours of April 29. The flooding finally fell below flood stage at 0300 CST on May 1.
November 2004Flash FloodAtoka-Atoka County officials reported that floodwaters from Muddy Boggy Creek had inundated some local roads just north of the city of Atoka.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Severe thunderstorm wind gusts were measured at up to 74 mph by local officials. Damage in Atoka was extensive. The severe winds partially unroofed the elementary school gymnasium and scattered debris across a neighboring playground. The roof was also torn off the high school gymnasium. A large tree was uprooted and toppled onto a car and porch roof. Other large trees and power lines were downed throughout town.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindAtoka-Severe thunderstorm winds downed large trees.
April 2022HailAtoka-no account filed
April 2022HailAtoka-no account filed
May 2020HailAtoka-no account filed
March 2016HailAtoka-no account filed
April 2016HailAtoka-no account filed
May 2015HailAtoka-no account filed
March 2012HailAtoka-no account filed
March 2012HailAtoka-no account filed
April 2011HailAtoka-no account filed
October 2011HailAtoka-no account filed
March 2008HailAtoka-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Atoka County

Newspapers printed here

22 digitised pages

1 paper published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 3 issues, 22 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
The Branding Iron1884

What the paper printed

2,870 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 1 issue from 1884, 2,870 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1884-02-23The Branding Iron2,870 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Bruno4.0 miles16
Tushka5.0 miles14
Stringtown6.8 miles17
Half Bank Crossing6.9 miles16
Cook8.7 miles14
Lane9.6 miles17
Taloah9.6 miles14
Flora10.9 miles14

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on AtokaAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q673953The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1089746. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.