Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

A powerful storm system continues to move through Oklahoma. The system is combining with moist air from Texas to produce widespread severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Storm spotters and first responders report numerous tornadoes, primarily in the southeast area of the state. The severe weather threat will continue throughout the night.

Excessive rainfall is likely across much of Oklahoma through Thursday evening. Flash flood watches are posted for central and eastern sections of the state where widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is likely with localized amounts to 6 inches possible. Large hail and high winds also accompany these storms.

Injuries reported in Muldrow.

OG&E reports 10,382 customers without power, including 3,417 in Dyer, 2,515 in Alma, and 1,666 in Muldrow.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports highways are closed due to downed power lines across roadways and high water. Motorists are advised against driving into water on roadways and urged to obey all road closing signs and barricades. It only takes a minimal amount of moving water for cars to be swept away and there may be unseen damage to the road. Motorists who encounter flooded roads should turn around and find an alternate route.

Currently, the following roads are reported closed:

Canadian County – SH-4 is closed between Wagner Rd. and SH-66, north of Yukon and SH-66 is closed at Alfadale Rd. in El Reno

McCurtain County – US-259A between Broken Bow Lake Spillway and Beavers Bend Park

LeFlore County – US-270 between Wister and Heavener

Cherokee County – SH-80 between Hulbert and Wildwood

For information regarding Oklahoma road conditions, call 888-425-2385. Road condition information for Texas is available at 800-452-9292 and for Arkansas call 800-245-1672.

Hughes County Emergency Management reports a roof was blown off a house in Holdenville and a trailer was blown over by high winds in Yeager. Golf ball size hail reported along with high winds, sustained at 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

McIntosh County Emergency Management reports damage in Hanna where a large amount of debris and downed power lines were left in the wake of a possible tornado. One mobile home sustained damage.

Pottawatomie County/Shawnee Emergency Management reports damage three miles west of Asher. There, three homes sustained major damage, two outbuildings have major damage and utility poles were uprooted.

Sequoyah County Emergency Management reports significant damage in Muldrow. Power lines are down across roadways. Phone service and radio communications are disrupted and trees are down on some houses.

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