BlockPurcell, Oklahoma
17 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1893 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Purcell census division. It lies in ZIP code area 73080. The Survey maps it on the Purcell quadrangle. 6,651 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,099 feet above sea level.
Research this city
On record in Purcell
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 4 records
Hotel Lovelisted 1995
McClain County Courthouselisted 1984
United States Post Office Purcelllisted 2018
US Highway 77 Bridge at Canadian Riverlisted 2003
Population over time
3 figuresPurcell grew from 2,277 to 6,651 between 1900 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.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 2,277 | |
| 2010 | 5,884 | |
| 2020 | 6,651 | +767 (+13%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
9 surveys from 17 printed sheetsMatched 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.
- 1893 USGS Norman quadrangle1:96000
- 1893 USGS Norman quadrangle1:62500
- 1898 USGS Purcell quadrangle1:125000
- 1936 USGS Norman quadrangle1:62500, 5 printings
- 1954 USGS Oklahoma City quadrangle1:250000
- 1957 USGS Oklahoma City quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1963 USGS Oklahoma City quadrangle1:250000
- 1965 USGS Purcell quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1985 USGS Oklahoma City South quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Fires near this place
1 since 2020Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Purcell in 2020, burning about 2 acres in total. None started naturally. None was 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/undetermined | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 July 2020 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.5 acres | Chickasaw Agency | BULL |
Mines and quarries near this place
7 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 7 workings within 5 miles of Purcell: 7 past producers. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 84 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Purcell in 84 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 53 hail, 17 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 5 flash flood. The reports record 2 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.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1997 | Tornado (F2) | Purcell | 2 hurt, $900,000 | This description was taken almost entirely, and with minimal editing, from a damage survey conducted Monday May 26th (Memorial Day), the day after the tornado, by a National Weather Service meteorologist.This tornado, rated F2, began 5 miles east of Criner, or 7 miles west-southwest of downtown Purcell, in southern McClain County. The beginning time of this tornado is not entirely certain but is believed to be near or just after 16:00 CST. This tornado tracked just south of due east for 6 miles, ending about 4 miles northwest of Wayne or 4 miles south of downtown Purcell at around 16:24 CST. At its widest, the damage path was estimated to be 3/4 mile wide. Numerous power lines were downed, prompting the temporary closing of both Highways 24 and 74 for a time during the evening. At least 18 dwellings, including mobile homes and permanent dwellings, were destroyed or suffered major damage. This probably was a multiple-vortex tornado, at least in its latter stages, based on eyewitness reports. No one was killed or seriously injured by this tornado, but two minor injuries were reported. Damage began along a concentrated path from along Highway 24 around 3 miles south and 1 mile east of Woody Chapel (which is located at the intersection of Highways 39 and 24 about 3 miles south of Washington). Details are described below, highlighting six areas along the damage track.Along Hwy 24, 5 miles east of Criner, sheet metal was scattered over about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile path, apparently the remnants of a destroyed outbuilding. Several large trees were toppled or heavily damaged in this area. Damage was F1. Tree damage also was noted over a larger area 1 mile west of this location (or 3 miles south of Woody Chapel on Highway 24), along with a few pieces of sheet metal debris. Since damage in this area was more minor (small to medium size branches broken) and notconcentrated, straight-line winds were considered the likely source. Also along Hwy 24, from Hwy 112 southward for about a mile, power lines were downed along a 1/4 to 1/2 mile stretch of the road. Considerable debris was found from fallen trees, metal outbuildings, etc. Damage was F1. About 1 mile east of Hwy 24 and 1 mile south of Hwy 112, a home was unroofed. Widespread but mostly minor tree damage was noted, with trees uprooted and/or branches snapped off. Aside from the home with the damaged roof, there were few if any other manmade structures in the area. Damage probably was F1, but an exact determination could not be made since the roof was being repaired at the time of the survey.On Emu Road, 1/2 to 1 mile south of Hwy 112 and 2 miles east of Hwy 24, one permanent home was destroyed. Numerous large trees were downed - some snapped off, and others uprooted. Several of the uprooted trees fell toward the northwest, others to the southwest. Damage was considered F2. At Highway 74 and Horse Road, (3.5 to 4.5 miles east of Hwy 24 and 1 mile south of Hwy 112), the worst damage and widest damage path (about 3/4 mile wide) were in this area. Power lines were downed along Hwy 74 for nearly a mile. Numerous large trees were snapped off or uprooted. In one area between the two roads, nearly every tree suffered some kind of significant damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed along Horse Road. One was blown east and landed across the street near a church. The other rolled three times and landed 50 to 100 feet northeast of its original location. Two women, a mother and daughter, were inside the second mobile home and were lucky to escape with only minor injuries. Metal outbuildings, satellite dishes, fences, and at least one pickup truck were destroyed - mostly by impacts from other blown objects. However, the church, which was brick, sustained only minor structural damage to the exterior, as the roof was intact and only a few shingles were missing. (Broken windows in the church led to more substantial damage on the interior as rain and wind entered the building.) Damage in this area was considered F2, but the fact that the church escaped with such minor damage to its exterior suggests either a lower rating or the possibility of a multiple-vortex tornado. At least one eyewitness indicated a second tornado. Although the entire damage track appeared consistent and more-or-less continuous, suggesting only one tornado, the eyewitness account and the observed gradients in damage intensity suggest that this probably was a multiple-vortex tornado, at least in its latter stages.From 1/4 to 1/2 mile east of Horse Road, a large home suffered major damage, with most of the second floor destroyed. Downed trees were widespread. Damage was rated F2. Another home immediately east of this location lost part of its roof. But farther east, near Interstate 35, several homes were undamaged and no significant damage could be found - except for a lone uprooted tree immediately west of the interstate. |
| January 2026 | Tornado (EF2) | Purcell | $400,000 | This tornado developed near 180th Street and Ladd Road southwest of Purcell and moved northeast. One home about 3 miles southwest of Purcell had the roof removed. A semi on Interstate 35 just west of Purcell was pushed over injuring one person. The tornado then moved through Purcell causing roof damage to a few homes and damaging utility poles and trees. Moving out of the northeast side of Purcell, the tornado crossed the Canadian River into Cleveland County. |
| July 2007 | Flash Flood | Purcell | $400,000 | Numerous city streets and alleys were closed due to high water. One-fourth of 180th Street was washed away. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| November 1998 | Tornado (F1) | Purcell | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 1999 | Tornado (F1) | Purcell | $40,000 | no account filed |
| May 2000 | Lightning | Purcell | $25,000 | Lightning struck a new, uninhabited mobile home, causing a fire which destroyed the entire home. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $20,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 to 80 mph downed large trees and power lines in town. One large tree was uprooted and landed on a minivan. Another uprooted tree landed on power lines, cutting power to most of the south part of town. |
| May 2018 | Tornado (EF1) | Purcell | $10,000 | A tornado developed southwest of Purcell and moved northeast passing near Purcell Lake and into the north side of Purcell. Large trees were uprooted and outbuildings destroyed in the north side of Purcell. The tornado crossed the Canadian River into Cleveland County north of Lexington. |
| July 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $10,000 | A deck was damaged at a residence north of Purcell. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $10,000 | The front end of the Hope Hardware Store was blown off. |
| June 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $7,500 | no account filed |
| May 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $7,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds blew a roof off a barn, uprooted trees, blew siding off a house, and destroyed small metal storage buildings. |
| May 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $5,000 | Wind gusts downed several 6 to 8 inch diameter tree limbs. Damages estimated. |
| August 2007 | Flash Flood | Purcell | $5,000 | A barn was flooded north of State HWY 39 and Sooner Road. Juneau Street was also flooded in Purcell. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $4,000 | Several power poles were blown down. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | $4,000 | A Bradford pear tree was downed at Adams and 7th Street. Numerous tree limbs were downed by the high winds. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| November 1998 | Lightning | Purcell | $100 | no account filed |
| March 2025 | Hail | Purcell | - | MPing report. Event time adjusted based on radar observations. |
| April 2025 | Hail | Purcell | - | The report was relayed through mPING. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | - | Social media image showing a very large (2436-inch diameter) tree split in half. Time is radar estimated. |
| May 2020 | Hail | Purcell | - | Time estimate. |
| June 2019 | Flash Flood | Purcell | - | Numerous reports of street flooding with depths over one-half foot. |
| December 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | - | Power outages were reported in south Purcell. |
| September 2018 | Flash Flood | Purcell | - | Significant water reported over roadway. |
| May 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Purcell | - | Live coverage from helicopters of OKC television stations showed a brief tornado develop southwest of Purcell. No damage was reported and the location is estimated. |
| April 2013 | Hail | Purcell | - | No damage was reported. |
| April 2012 | Hail | Purcell | - | The hail occurred near the McClain/Cleveland county line. |
| April 2011 | Hail | Purcell | - | The hail was reported near Highway 74. |
| September 2010 | Flash Flood | Purcell | - | Water was over the 180th Street, west of Highway 174. Other county roads also had to be closed due to water running over top of them. |
| May 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Purcell | - | Trees were blown down, a flag pole was bent, and minor roof damage was reported to a residence on Highway 74 in Purcell. Monetary damage estimates were not available. |
| April 2008 | Hail | Purcell | - | The hail reportedly covered the ground. |
| March 2022 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2018 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| March 2017 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2017 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2017 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2017 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| June 2017 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| March 2016 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| March 2015 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2013 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2012 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2012 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2012 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2012 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2009 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2009 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2008 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2005 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2004 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2004 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2004 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2004 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| March 2003 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| March 2003 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2002 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| May 2001 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
| April 2000 | Hail | Purcell | - | no account filed |
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.
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 Purcell | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q2308188 | The 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 1096963. 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.