•Langston sits in Tornado Alley in central Oklahoma. Just 11 miles from Guthrie, the area has been under severe weather warnings 66 times in a single year, and Doppler radar has detected hail in the surrounding region on 162 occasions.

•Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, and Oklahoma can see dangerous cold snaps. Pipe-bursting conditions are a real concern for residents when highs reach only the single digits.

•Spring storms bring heavy rain and the threat of flash flooding. In May 2019, northern Oklahoma received 10 to 20 inches of rain, resulting in major and record flooding along numerous rivers.

•Summer heat and high humidity create conditions for mold growth inside homes. Oklahoma's hot summers push humidity levels well above comfortable levels during wet weather events.

•Langston is home to Langston University, Oklahoma's only historically Black university, and the town's older homes and campus buildings with aging plumbing are especially vulnerable to water damage when severe weather hits.