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Leach, Oklahoma

19 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1899 and the latest in 1979. It stands in the Kansas census division. It lies in ZIP code area 74364. The Survey maps it on the Leach quadrangle. 249 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,106 feet above sea level.

Leach within Delaware County

On record in Leach

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

Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Leach grew from 237 to 249 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
2010237
2020249+12 (+5%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

8 surveys from 19 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

1 photograph,

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.

Saline Courthouse, Leach, Delaware County, OK
Saline Courthouse, Leach, Delaware County, OK
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fires near this place

231 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 231 fires within 5 miles of Leach between 1992 and 2020, burning about 5,239 acres in total. 8 started naturally. 67 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/undetermined103
Arson/incendiarism67
Debris and open burning27
Equipment and vehicle use11
Recreation and ceremony9
Natural8
Smoking3
Misuse of fire by a minor1
Railroad operations and maintenance1
Power generation/transmission/distribution1

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
3 September 2000Recreation and ceremony2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
10 September 2011Arson/incendiarism25 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30476
3 August 2010Debris and open burning12 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30355
25 August 2010Equipment and vehicle use2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30415
19 August 1999Arson/incendiarismunder an acreOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
11 August 2010Debris and open burning1.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30363
11 August 2005Equipment and vehicle use50 acresCherokee Nation TribeANDERSON
30 July 1993Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Delaware County

Storms near this place

33 since 1993

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Leach in 33 storm reports between 1993 and 2024: 19 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 5 tornado, 3 flash flood. The reports record 8 injuries. 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
March 2006Tornado (F3)Leach8 hurt, $3,000,000The first tornado, which touched down in northwestern Cherokee County, continued into southern Delaware County. Damage suggested the tornado widened and strengthened as it moved through southern Delaware County reaching a maximum width of around 1/4 of a mile. The tornado damaged 95 homes, destroying 42 of those homes. Five businesses were also damaged. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted and about 100 power poles were downed, which resulted in more than 5000 people losing power as a result of the storm. The worst damage from this tornado was found from near Twin Oaks to about 4 miles west-southwest of Colcord. The tornado injured eight people.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindLeach$340,000Thunderstorm wind resulted in at least $340,000 in debris removal and damage to the utility infrastructure across the county during this severe thunderstorm.
May 2019Tornado (EF2)Leach$150,000This is the second segment of a two-segment tornado. This large tornado moved into the far southwestern portion of Delaware County and moved northeast toward Leach. It damaged homes, destroyed outbuildings, and snapped or uprooted many trees. The tornado crossed the Cherokee Turnpike west of Twin Oaks and dissipated. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 110 to 120 mph.
May 2019Tornado (EF1)Leach$50,000This tornado damaged homes, destroyed outbuildings, and uprooted trees. It developed as the Peggs/Leach tornado was dissipating, and moved east-northeast across the end of the earlier tornado's path. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 85 to 95 mph.
March 2008Flash FloodLeach$50,000Heavy rain caused numerous secondary roads across a large part of Delaware County to be closed due to flooding. Flooding along Flint Creek just west of West Siloam Springs resulted in a housing development being flooded. 14 residents had to be evacuated.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindLeach$50,000no account filed
April 1993Thunderstorm WindLeach$50,000no account filed
May 2011Tornado (EF1)Leach$25,000A tornado damaged several homes and barns, and snapped or uprooted a number of large trees. Maximum estimated wind in the tornado based on this damage was about 105 mph. Several storm chasers, storm spotters, and citizens witnessed this tornado.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindLeach$20,000Winds estimated at 60 miles an hour damaged several structures.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindLeach$5,000no account filed
October 1998Thunderstorm WindLeach$500Power lines were blown down along the Mayes/Delaware County line.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindLeach$100Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
April 2021Flash FloodLeach-Portions of Highway 412 were closed between Leach and Kansas due to flooding.
April 2020Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind, likely associated with the rear flank downdraft of the tornadic Peggs/Leach supercell, uprooted trees toward an easterly direction south of the tornado.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind, likely associated with the rear flank downdraft of the tornadic Peggs/Leach supercell, uprooted trees toward an easterly direction south of the tornado.
August 2018Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees and snapped large tree limbs.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large tree limbs.
May 2011Tornado (EF1)Leach-A tornado uprooted trees and snapped large limbs. Maximum estimated wind in the tornado based on this damage was about 95 mph. At least one storm chaser witnessed this tornado.
May 2010Thunderstorm WindLeach-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down numerous large tree limbs.
March 2008Flash FloodLeach-Heavy rain caused numerous rural roads to be flooded across the southern part of Delaware County.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindLeach-Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees.
April 1995Thunderstorm WindLeach-Severe thunderstorms moved across eastern Oklahoma during the evening of April 17th. The storms produced a total of 8 tornadoes, as well as large hail and damaging winds. The first five tornadoes all occurred with the same supercell thunderstorm. The first tornado touched down briefly 6 miles east southeast of Henryetta at 2100CST. No damage occurred with this F-0 tornado. The second tornado was another brief touchdown just west northwest of Hoffman at 2119CST. No damage occurred with this F-0 tornado. The third tornado was another brief touchdown 2.25 miles northeast of Council Hill at 2130CST. Trees were downed by this F-0 tornado. The fourth tornado touched down in a residential area 1 mile south of Okay at 2214CST. The tornado heavily damaged 2 homes and caused minor damage to 9 homes in the residential area. 5 mobile homes were also destroyed, and 5 other mobile homes were damaged. Several vehicles were either damaged or destroyed, numerous power poles were downed, and numerous trees were uprooted. The tornado continued east northeast for approximately 4.5 miles before lifting 4 miles east of Okay at 2221CST just before reaching the Fort Gibson Lake Dam. This tornado was 125 yards wide and was rated as an F-2. The fifth tornado touched down 2.5 miles south of Peggs at 2232CST. The tornado damaged a Free Will Baptist Church camp building and also damaged a barn and uprooted trees. This F-1 tornado was on the ground for 1/4 mile and was 50 yards wide. The sixth tornado touched down near Qualls at 2235CST and moved northeast for 7 miles before lifting 8 miles south of Tahlequah near the town of Keys at 2245CST. The tornado damaged Carter's Automotive Building 8 miles south of Tahlequah, and several vehicles were thrown a considerable distance from the building. The tornado also caused approximately $100,000 damage to a county solid waste plant in the same general area. This tornado was 200 yards wide and was rated as an F-2. The seventh tornado touched down 3 miles southeast of Stilwell at 2302CST and moved northeast for 1 mile before lifting 3 miles east southeast of Stilwell at 2304CST. The tornado destroyed 1 modular home, 1 mobile home, and 2 chicken houses, and caused minor damage to several other homes. This tornado was 75 yards wide and was rated as an F-1. The eighth tornado was spawned by the same storm which produced the first five tornadoes. It touched down briefly 3.5 miles northwest of Colcord at 2310CST. The tornado damaged the roof of 1 home and also damaged 3 barns. This tornado was 40 yards wide and was rated as an F-0. The storms also produced strong straight-line winds which caused considerable damage. Strong thunderstorm winds destroyed 2 mobile homes and damaged 4 other mobile homes at the Robinson Trailer Park 3 miles northeast of Sapulpa. 1 resident of the park suffered a back injury as a result of the storms. A mobile home was destroyed and a chicken house was damaged by strong thunderstorm winds 4 miles east of Stilwell, and strong winds damaged a trailer house near Council Hill. A house was damaged by high winds 2 miles south of Hulbert, and chicken houses were blown over in Rose. Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour in Muskogee blew the roofs off a couple buildings and knocked down light poles and large tree branches. A barn was destroyed, a window was blown out, and trees were downed by strong winds just southwest of Muskogee. Several roofs were blown off outbuildings and windows were blown out 3 miles west of Muskogee, and a chimney was blown off a roof and several large tree limbs were downed in Nowata. Strong thunderstorm winds blew a large tree onto the roof of a house in Avant, and the skirting was blown off a trailer and numerous trees were downed 4 miles north of Sand Springs. Strong thunderstorm winds damaged a brick building in Henryetta, blowing off bricks near the top of the building, and trees were blown down onto a house near Grove. Lines, trees, and an amateur radio tower were downed by strong winds 2 miles north of Oaks, and strong winds downed a large radio tower near Mannford. 60 mile an hour winds blew the windows out of a store and downed trees in Poteau, and up to 50 large trees were blown down just east of Eucha. Strong thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees from 2.5 miles south of Peggs to 3 miles east of Peggs, and 3 barns were destroyed 3 miles east of Peggs. Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Battiest, 3 miles south of Leach, and 2 miles north of Twin Oaks, and several trees were blown over onto power lines in Quapaw. A large tree was blown down 4 miles west of Sand Springs, and large tree limbs were blown down in Sand Springs and in Weleetka. Strong thunderstorm winds downed numerous large tree limbs in Bearden, and several large tree limbs were downed by strong winds near Big Cabin. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 70 miles an hour 3 miles west of Okay, to 67 miles an hour in Sapulpa, and to 65 miles miles an hour 5 miles southwest of Oologah. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 65 to 70 miles an hour at Sequoyah State Park 8 miles east of Wagoner, and to 60 to 70 miles an hour in Collinsville. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 60 miles an hour 7 miles west of Nowata, 8 miles west of Claremore, and at several locations in McIntosh County. Large hail also accompanied some of the storms. Half dollar size hail fell at Dewar, and nickel size hail fell at Hitchita, 10 miles west of Checotah, and at Fountainhead State Park 6 miles north of Eufaula. Dime size hail fell in Vera. Very heavy rainfall from the thunderstorms also resulted in flash flooding in parts of northeast Oklahoma. Street flooding occurred in the south and southeast parts of Osage County, 10 miles east of Terlton, and in Mannford. Street flooding also occurred in Muskogee, and U.S. Highway 69 was flooded 3 miles north of Muskogee. Streets were closed by flooding in Morris, and State Highway 62 was closed east of Morris due to 3 feet of water covering the roadway. Water also entered some garages and basements in Morris, and a bridge was damaged by flooding 2.25 miles south of Morris.
May 2024HailLeach-no account filed
April 2014HailLeach-no account filed
August 2012HailLeach-no account filed
April 2002HailLeach-no account filed
August 1999Thunderstorm WindLeach-no account filed
January 1996Thunderstorm WindLeach-no account filed
December 1995HailLeach-no account filed
November 1995HailLeach-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Delaware County

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
Rocky Ford2.1 miles19
Twin Oaks3.8 miles18
Oaks4.5 miles18
Kansas6.6 miles18
Bull Hollow7.6 miles19
Kenwood8.3 miles19
Cloud Creek9.2 miles19
Tagg Flats9.3 miles19

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 LeachAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q2524671The 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 1100569. 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.

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.