Damaging Winds, Rain Blow Through Oklahoma City

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Severe storms that moved through Oklahoma City Thursday night caused down power lines, traffic backups and property damage.

NEWS 9 meteorologists said winds with the storms exceeded 65 mph in some areas. The National Weather Service says the highest wind gusts occurred in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including a 75-mph wind gust about 6 miles west of Edmond.

Power lines were blown down at Memorial Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard and stretched about a quarter of a mile. McArthur Boulevard was closed while crews worked to clean up and restore power.

More than 16,000 OG&E customers in the metro were without power at one point Thursday evening.

OG&E system watch

Several accidents were reported along I-35 Thursday during rush hour as the storms rolled through Oklahoma City.

Severe Storms 9/2/2010

The weather appeared to be the cause of a vehicle overturning on southbound I-35 between the 15th and 33rd streets exits. The driver of the vehicle appeared to be alert and talking. The extent of his injuries are not known. There were no other immediate reports of injuries with the storms on Thursday.

Putnam City School district spokesman Steve Lindley said the roof of the James L. Dennis Elementary School sustained damage during Thursday's storms. Lindley said half of the roof was blown off the building damaging classrooms and the library. The school also sustained major water damage.

Classes were canceled Friday at James L. Dennis Elementary.

The storm also caused damage at local businesses, a church's steeple and to fences.

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