Storms Leave Trail of Damage Across Oklahoma

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – A strong line of storms moved through Oklahoma Friday morning leaving a trail of damage across the state.

The worst damage was reported in the Grady County area. The sheriff's office reported that a mobile home was knocked on its side.

State Rep. Joe Dorman said the storm knocked out power to most of his home town of Rush Springs.

The worst damage was concentrated in about a one-block radius in town, Dorman said. The storm damaged a business on Highway 81 and a diner that was recently closed in town. At least two mobile homes were destroyed. The restaurant closed a few weeks ago, so there was no one inside when the storm hit.

It turns out every damaged structure in town was empty at that time. No injuries were reported.

There were also reports of some barns being destroyed outside of the city limits.

"Fortunately no one was hurt," Dorman said. "We're counting our blessings."

U.S. Highway 81 was shut down north and south of Rush Springs due to downed power lines and debris. Both northbound and southbound lanes were reopened at about 11:30 a.m.

In Cleveland County, a tractor-trailer rig was blown over near Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 77. A large power pole was knocked down near Community Christian School.

The National Weather Service's Norman office reported wind gusts of up to 60 mph and hail up to 1-inch sized hail.

In McClain County, a barn was destroyed by wind and a concrete wall of another barn was blown in about a half mile south of Highway 9 on Western Avenue.

The Lincoln County emergency management office reported several sheds were blown over by the storm. Power lines were also down in the area. One downed line started a small grass fire.

After a chance of ground fog in the morning, Saturday will have mostly sunny skies with afternoon high temperatures in the 70s and the winds will top out at 10 to 20 mph.

Sunday morning will see sunshine and temperatures in the range from 48 to 52 degrees across the metro. Afternoon highs will generally be from 76 to 82 degrees. The wind will increase on Sunday kicking up to 15 to 30 mph by the afternoon.