Watonga, Oklahoma
7 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1955 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the Watonga census division. It lies in ZIP code area 73772. The Survey maps it on the Watonga quadrangle. 2,690 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,516 feet above sea level.
Research this city
On record in Watonga
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 7 records
Blaine County Courthouselisted 1984
Thompson Benton Ferguson Houselisted 1973
Noble Hotellisted 1996
United States Post Office Watongalisted 2009
J. H. Wagner Houselisted 1983
Watonga Armorylisted 1994- Cronkhite Ranch Houselisted 1983
Population over time
2 figuresWatonga fell from 5,111 to 2,690 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.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5,111 | |
| 2020 | 2,690 | -2,421 (-47%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
4 surveys from 7 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.
- 1955 USGS Clinton quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1957 USGS Clinton quadrangle1:250000
- 1972 USGS Watonga quadrangle1:24000
- 1985 USGS Watonga quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Photographs
1 photograph, 1911Taken 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.
Photographer not recorded, 1911. Library of Congress
Fires near this place
39 since 1996Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 39 fires within 5 miles of Watonga between 1996 and 2019, burning about 1,426 acres in total. None started naturally. 3 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/undetermined | 12 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 10 |
| Debris and open burning | 7 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 3 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 2 |
| Fireworks | 2 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 1 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 1 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 July 2013 | Fireworks | under an acre | Concho Field Office | BANG |
| 4 July 2011 | Fireworks | under an acre | Concho Field Office | FEATHER WARRIOR |
| 1 July 1996 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 5.0 acres | Concho Field Office | BACON |
| 23 June 2009 | Equipment and vehicle use | 10 acres | Concho Field Office | RINEHEART |
| 2 June 2008 | Debris and open burning | 40 acres | Concho Field Office | HITCHCOCK |
| 5 May 1996 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 20 acres | Concho Field Office | TROJON |
| 3 May 1996 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 25 acres | Concho Field Office | CLUB |
| 24 May 2012 | Equipment and vehicle use | 30 acres | Concho Field Office | POTTER |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
10 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 10 workings within 5 miles of Watonga: 8 past producers, 2 producers. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Gypsum-Anhydrite. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Gypsum Pit | Gypsum-Anhydrite | Producer | ||
| Unknown Gypsum Pit | Gypsum-Anhydrite | Past Producer | ||
| Boon Pit & Plant | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Siltstone Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 123 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Watonga in 123 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 53 hail, 52 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado, 4 flash flood. 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.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2007 | Flash Flood | Watonga | $1,000,000 | Heavy rain and high winds pounded most areas in Blaine county. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches resulted in widespread flash flooding. In Watonga, the American Horse Road was washed out by the Hal Geyner Farm. One hundred and twenty four residences had minor flood damage, 21 suffered major damage, and five homes were destroyed. At Greenfield, 13 residences had minor flood damage and two had major damage. At Hitchcock, one residence had minor damage. Numerous city and county roads had to be closed due to widespread flash flooding. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $500,000 | Widespread wind damage was reported in and near Watonga. Prolonged high winds and numerous severe gusts occurred in and around Watonga from 1 am until around 415 am. 82 mph winds were reported at Watonga airport at 254 am before weather instruments stopped reporting. One open hangar and 2 T-hangars were completely destroyed.|Six planes were damaged, some severely. Windows were blown out of numerous businesses. Numerous trees, power poles, and power lines were blown down. A train car was on its side after being blown off the track. Two light towers at the baseball field collapsed and one was bent. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| November 2024 | Tornado (EF1) | Watonga | $50,000 | This tornado developed south of Watonga and moved due north just west of US-270 and then SH-8 through the west side of Watonga. At least five homes and a two outbuildings were damaged, along with trees and power poles. One large tree fell onto a vehicle, and a large tree branch fell onto another. |
| October 1998 | Tornado (F2) | Watonga | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $50,000 | no account filed |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $20,000 | Numerous power poles blown down near the intersection of North 2630 Road and East 820 Road. Time is radar estimated. |
| June 2000 | Lightning | Watonga | $15,000 | Lightning struck a herd of 5 cattle, killing them. |
| September 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $10,000 | A strong wind gust blew the steeple off of the Watonga Christian Church. A large tree was also uprooted. Many tree limbs and fences were downed across town. |
| October 2000 | Lightning | Watonga | $10,000 | Lightning struck a utility pole causing damage to wiring and electrical appliances at a nearby house. |
| October 1998 | Lightning | Watonga | $8,000 | no account filed |
| March 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $7,000 | A barn was destroyed. Trees and power poles were downed, and a garage was damaged. |
| May 1999 | Tornado (F1) | Watonga | $5,000 | Tornado E2 (Blaine County portion). See summary at end of May 3rd storm reports. |
| August 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $5,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds bent road signs over on Highway 33. |
| May 1999 | Lightning | Watonga | $1,000 | no account filed |
| July 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $1,000 | no account filed |
| March 1997 | Tornado (F0) | Watonga | $550 | A brief tornado, probably a landspout, struck a barn just northeast of Watonga. Nearby witnesses described a white funnel that touched down for about 5 seconds and threw tin from the barn into the air. The barn lost its roof and two of its sides. A long piece of pipe that had been in the barn was thrown about a hundred feet and speared about 5 feet into the ground. Another piece of metal was blown through the roof and ceiling of a nearby house.The landspout formed in a small, weak, unorganized thunderstorm. Nearby witnesses, including the residents of the damaged farm, described a blue sky and only a few sprinkles with the brief storm. |
| March 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $500 | A metal shed was damaged on Taylor Road, and fences and tree limbs were downed. |
| July 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $500 | Trees and power lines were downed. |
| May 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $500 | no account filed |
| May 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | $10 | no account filed |
| April 2026 | Hail | Watonga | - | The report was relayed through mPING. The event time was adjusted based on radar observations. |
| April 2026 | Hail | Watonga | - | The report was relayed through mPING. The event time was adjusted based on radar observations. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga Regional Airport (KJWG) observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga Regional Airport (KJWG) observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| June 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga Report Airport (KJWG) observation. |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga (WATO) Mesonet observation. |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Watonga Airport (KJWG) observation. |
| May 2019 | Flood | Watonga | - | Standing water in low lying areas. Picture of Laing Ave. Shared via twitter. |
| February 2019 | Hail | Watonga | - | Reported through Mping. |
| April 2017 | Flash Flood | Watonga | - | Water was six to eight inches deep on residential streets. |
| June 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | No damage reported. |
| May 2016 | Hail | Watonga | - | This report was relayed via Twitter. |
| May 2015 | Hail | Watonga | - | No damage reported. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | No damage was reported with the wind gust. |
| October 2009 | Heavy Rain | Watonga | - | The total rainfall accumulation was 2.66 inches. |
| May 2008 | Hail | Watonga | - | The hail was reported near Highway 8. |
| July 2008 | Heavy Rain | Watonga | - | One hour rainfall totals were at least 1.80 inches. |
| August 2007 | Heavy Rain | Watonga | - | A total of 9.11 inches of rainfall was recorded between 7 AM on the 18th and 7 AM on the 19th. |
| June 2007 | Flash Flood | Watonga | - | Noble avenue in front of the Post Office were flooded and impassable. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | The wind gust was measured at KJWG. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | The wind gust was measured at Watonga Airport. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Wind was measured by the Oklahoma mesonet. |
| April 2004 | Hail | Watonga | - | Hail was reported at Roman Nose State Park. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Wind was measured by the Oklahoma mesonet. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Wind was measured by the Oklahoma mesonet. |
| May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | Wind was measured by Oklahoma mesonet. |
| June 1998 | Hail | Watonga | - | Quarter size hail covered the ground. |
| May 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Watonga | - | measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site |
| August 1997 | Flash Flood | Watonga | - | After 4.92 inches of rain in only a few hours, several homes in town were flooded. |
| September 2023 | Hail | Watonga | - | no account filed |
| April 2023 | Hail | Watonga | - | no account filed |
| May 2022 | Hail | Watonga | - | no account filed |
| May 2021 | Hail | Watonga | - | 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.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucher | 5.6 miles | 7 | |
| Greenfield | 8.2 miles | 11 | |
| Hitchcock | 9.2 miles | 7 | |
| Eagle City | 11.3 miles | 9 | |
| Carlton | 12.9 miles | 8 | |
| Carleton | 13.1 miles | 8 | |
| Southard | 14.9 miles | 9 | |
| Geary | 15.6 miles | 10 |
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 Watonga | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q3052936 | 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 1099426. 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.



