A significant weather event unfolded across Oklahoma as a severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma was issued for numerous counties on Saturday and extended into early Sunday morning. The storms brought with them the threats of large hail, strong wind gusts, and unfortunately, power outages for some residents. Meteorologists at KOCO 5 were closely tracking the system, providing live coverage as the severe weather moved through the state, impacting various regions and prompting alerts from the National Weather Service (Source: KOCO.com).
Key Takeaways:
- Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across Oklahoma on Saturday and Sunday morning.
- The primary threats included wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail ranging from quarter-sized to golf ball-sized.
- Over 2,300 Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company customers experienced power outages, with Shawnee and El Reno being the most affected.
- The National Weather Service issued warnings for numerous counties including Lincoln, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Logan, Pottawatomie, Kay, Noble, Garfield, Seminole, Pontotoc, McClain, Kingfisher, Caddo, Blaine, Canadian, Garvin, Murray, Grant, Washita, Custer, Dewey, Major, Grady, Stephens, Greer, Beckham, and Jefferson.
- Residents in impacted areas were urged to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the severe weather.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Southwestern Lincoln County, Oklahoma County, and Surrounding Areas
Just past midnight on Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma specifically targeting southwestern Lincoln County, Oklahoma County, northeastern Cleveland County, south central Logan County, and northwestern Pottawatomie County. The primary concerns with these storms were strong wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph. Residents in these areas were advised to secure any loose outdoor items and be prepared for potential minor damage from the winds.
The locations that were under this particular warning included Smith Village, Little Axe, Oklahoma City, Moore, Jones, McLoud, Stanley Draper Lake, Newalla, Luther, Midwest City, Norman, Edmond, Stella, Harrah, Spencer, Tinker Air Force Base, Valley Brook, Nicoma Park, Pink, and Del City. The warning was in effect until 12:15 a.m. Sunday, urging those in these communities to remain vigilant and monitor local weather updates for any changes or further advisories from the National Weather Service (Source: National Weather Service Norman, OK).
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for South Central Kay County, Western Noble County, and Neighboring Regions
Earlier in the evening on Saturday, around 11:20 p.m., another severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma was issued, this time affecting south central Kay County, western Noble County, northwestern Logan County, and southeastern Garfield County. This warning carried threats of both strong wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. Quarter-sized hail, while not the largest, can still cause damage to vehicles and property, making it important for residents in these areas to take precautions.
The communities potentially impacted by this warning included Red Rock, Ceres, Perry, Lucien, Marland, Marshall, Hayward, Covington, and Ponca City. The warning was set to expire at 11:45 p.m. Saturday. For residents in these northern Oklahoma counties, staying indoors and away from windows was the recommended course of action until the severe thunderstorm passed.
Threats in Southwestern Seminole County, Northwestern Pontotoc County, and Adjacent Areas
At 11:15 p.m. Saturday, a severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma was put into effect for southwestern Seminole County, northwestern Pontotoc County, southwestern Pottawatomie County, and southeastern McClain County. This particular storm system posed a threat of wind gusts up to 60 mph along with ping pong ball-sized hail. Hail of this size can cause more significant damage, including dents to vehicles and damage to roofs and siding.
The locations that could be impacted by this warning included Byars, Francis, Lima, Wanette, Maud, Konawa, Asher, Bowlegs, St. Louis, Trousdale, and Byng. The warning was scheduled to expire at midnight, prompting residents in these south-central Oklahoma areas to seek shelter indoors and away from windows due to the potential for damaging hail and strong winds.
Ongoing Warning for Western Kingfisher, Northern Caddo, Blaine, and Western Canadian Counties
As of 11:10 p.m. Saturday, a severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma remained in effect for western Kingfisher, northern Caddo, Blaine, and western Canadian counties. The primary threats associated with this storm were wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. This indicates that multiple areas in central and western Oklahoma were experiencing severe weather simultaneously, requiring residents to stay informed and prepared.
The locations that could be impacted by this continuing warning included Loyal, Cedar Lake, Hitchcock, Omega, Gracemont, Fort Cobb Reservoir, Greenfield, Bridgeport, Okeene, Lookeba, Binger, Watonga, Albert, Geary, Hinton, Lacey, Hydro, Lake Chickasha, Homestead, and Hennessey. The warning was set to last until 11:30 p.m., advising residents in these areas to remain cautious as the severe thunderstorm continued to move through.
Severe Weather Impacting East Central Garvin and Northeastern Murray Counties
A severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma was also in place until 11:15 p.m. Saturday for east central Garvin and northeastern Murray counties. The main dangers associated with this storm were wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. These counties are located in the south-central part of Oklahoma, indicating the widespread nature of the severe weather event across the state.
The specific locations that could be affected by this warning included Sulphur and Davis. Residents in these areas were urged to take shelter and monitor for any updates from the National Weather Service as the severe thunderstorm passed through their region. The consistent threat of strong winds and hail across various parts of Oklahoma highlighted the severity of the weather system.
Golf Ball Sized Hail Threat in Northeastern Kingfisher County and Surrounding Areas
Another severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma was active until 11:15 p.m. Saturday for northeastern Kingfisher County, northwestern Noble County, southeastern Grant County, and eastern Garfield County. This particular storm posed a significant threat with wind gusts up to 60 mph and the potential for golf ball-sized hail. Hail of this size can cause considerable damage to vehicles, roofs, and other property, making this a particularly dangerous part of the storm system.
The locations that could be impacted by this warning included Breckenridge, Billings, Douglas, Garber, Fairmont, Covington, Ceres, and Hayward. Residents in these areas were strongly advised to seek immediate shelter indoors, away from windows and skylights, to protect themselves and their property from the large and potentially damaging hail.
Ping Pong Ball Sized Hail Threat in Northeastern Garvin County and Adjacent Counties
A severe thunderstorm warning oklahoma remained in effect until 11:15 p.m. Saturday for northeastern Garvin County, southeastern Cleveland County, southwestern Pottawatomie County, and southeastern McClain County. The primary threats with these storms were wind gusts up to 60 mph and ping pong ball-sized hail. This indicates a continued risk of damaging hail and strong winds across a significant portion of central Oklahoma.
The locations that could be impacted included Byars, Wanette, Whitebead, Pauls Valley, Stratford, Rosedale, Trousdale, Paoli, and Asher. Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a separate severe thunderstorm warning for east central Cleveland County and northwestern Pottawatomie County, with threats of wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail, affecting areas like Little Axe, Johnson, Tecumseh, Shawnee, Etowah, and Norman.
Power Outages Reported Across Oklahoma
Beyond the immediate threats of hail and strong winds, the severe thunderstorms sweeping through Oklahoma also led to power outages for thousands of residents. The Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) reported that more than 2,300 customers were without power following the storms that moved through late Saturday into Sunday morning. The majority of these outages were concentrated in Shawnee, where 1,640 customers were affected early Sunday morning.
In addition to Shawnee, the city of El Reno also experienced significant power outages, with just over 420 customers without electricity. These power outages can disrupt daily life and pose additional challenges during severe weather events. Utility companies like OG&E were likely working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible once the storms had passed. This situation highlights the real-world impact of severe thunderstorms and the importance of being prepared for potential disruptions.
Reports of Large Hail from KOCO 5 Viewers
Adding to the evidence of the severe nature of the storms, KOCO 5 viewers submitted numerous photos showing the large hail that fell across various parts of Oklahoma on Saturday. These images provided visual confirmation of the threats highlighted in the severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Reports came in from areas like Tuttle, where multiple viewers reported large hail, and Mustang, where Kelli Harmon shared a photo of significant hail accumulation.
These firsthand accounts and photographic evidence underscore the potential for property damage associated with these severe thunderstorms. Hail of the size reported by viewers can easily damage vehicles, break windows, and cause significant damage to roofs and siding. Staying informed about severe weather warnings and taking appropriate precautions, such as seeking shelter indoors, is crucial to minimizing the risk of injury and property damage during such events. Remember to stay updated with the latest weather information from reliable sources like the National Weather Service and local news outlets, and consider how events like these differ from other weather-related incidents, such as the aftermath documented in the Joplin, Missouri tornado documentary.“`
