2007 was the rainiest year in recorded Oklahoma history.  This year is also stormy and the Edmond Sun reports that local weather expert Rick Smith, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, predicts a continuing stormy weather pattern in 2008.

According to the article, Smith says that Oklahoma has an average of fifty-three confirmed tornadoes every year.  We have already had forty this year, including the one that severely damaged the ailing town of Picher, and it is still only May.  Eighteen of these tornadoes occurred in May.

Not only are these storms dangerous, they often adversely affect business.  Last year, many oil and gas projects were put on hold, waiting on the weather.  This year is already proving to be more of the same.

http://www.ericwilder.com

Here is a slightly doctored pic I took while in Noble County, Oklahoma last week.  All the creeks are currently filled with spring rain but they are usually dry during the long months of summer.  The root system of this tree has grown disproportionately large because of seasons of prolonged lack of rain, and is twisted like masses of wrestling boa constrictors.

http://www.ericwilder.com