Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2008 – 10 a.m. – Situation Update 1

A strong storm system developed in the central U.S. on Thursday. This combined with warm temperatures and high humidity resulted in isolated severe thunderstorm development by late afternoon. These storms affected primarily Lincoln, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee and Payne counties, producing up to baseball size hail and tornadoes. During the overnight hours, a cold front moved into Oklahoma. A line of storms developed along this front, affecting much of the state. Isolated tornadoes, along with hail up to golf ball size and winds upwards of 75 mph, accompanied these storms.

The forecast calls for cooler than normal conditions today through Saturday. A chance of thunderstorms will return to the state early next week.

Minor injuries reported in Mayes, Oklahoma and Rogers counties.

About 650 OG&E customers are without power, including 386 in Edmond. At the height of the power outages, about 9,000 OG&E customers were without electric service.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel are assisting local emergency managers with damage assessments in the affected areas. No additional requests for assistance at this time.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports damage in Choctaw where a barn was destroyed and sheet metal was wrapped around fence posts. NWS also reports 74 mph hour winds at Will Rogers World Airport in southwest Oklahoma City and 61 mph winds in the Noble County town of Red Rock. In Midwest City 3.5 inch hail was reported and in the Lincoln County town of Warwick 3 inch hail was reported.

Other significant hail reports include:

• Lincoln County – Agra 1.75 inch, Carney 2.75 inch, Chandler 1.75 inch and Wellston 2.75 inch
• Oklahoma County – Choctaw 2.75 inch
• Payne County – Glencoe 2.75 inch

Claremore/Rogers County Emergency Management reports a tornado occurred around 4:15 am today in the northeast area of the county. Multiple homes sustained damage. Some injuries reported.

Creek County Emergency Management reports major tree damage throughout Bristow. Utility poles were also downed by the high winds.

Del City Emergency Management reports damage to numerous vehicles due to golf ball and tennis ball size hail. There was one injury reported. An infant sustained minor injuries when the windshield of the vehicle they were in was damaged by hail.

Mayes County Emergency Management reports damage from a tornado that moved through the area early this morning. Initial assessment shows about a dozen homes sustained damage, primarily to roofs. One trailer was destroyed and numerous out buildings were damaged. One minor injury reported.

Midwest City Emergency Management reports hail, up to baseball size, damaged many vehicles including those at multiple auto dealerships. The hail storm lasted 10 minutes in some areas. A paramedic was injured by the hail while assisting at a multi-vehicle crash.

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