Severe Storms, Torrential Rainfall Move Through Eastern Oklahoma

A line of severe thunderstorms featuring some circulation and torrential rainfall came down Friday afternoon.

Friday, May 29th 2015, 2:48 pm

By: News On 6

Severe Storms, Torrential Rainfall Move Through Eastern Oklahoma

Tornado warnings and watches were issued for much of eastern Oklahoma as thunderstorms moved across the state. A line of severe thunderstorms featuring some circulation and torrential rainfall came down Friday afternoon.

A tornado was confirmed five miles south of Webbers Falls. There has also been heavy flooding in Pryor with water rescues reported.

We received reports of damage near Spavinaw; the mayor said there is tree damage, electrical lines are down and power was out in the area.

Heavy rainfall was associated with the storms and caused more flooding in several areas.

"Turn around, don't drown," Faurot said. "We've had way too much rain falling way too fast."

Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer added that more people die from flash flooding than they do lightning strikes or tornadoes.

Faurot also reminded anyone taking tornado precautions to:

Stay Calm
Evacuate mobile homes and vehicles
Go to an interior room on ground floor of permanent building
Cover yourself with blankets and pillows
Avoid windows and outside doors

The strong storms that moved through Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma brought rain which fell at about the rate of an inch an hour.

Tornado watches were issued for several Oklahoma counties but expired by 7:00 Friday night.

A flash flood warning for LeFlore County is active until 12:30 Saturday morning. Several other Oklahoma counties remain under a flash flood watch until Saturday evening. Flood warnings are also active until 9:30 Friday evening for many counties.

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Tulsa City/County Emergency Management Deputy Director Jamie Ott said officials are monitoring the conditions and have sandbags on hand to try to control any flooding.

Statewide, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports nearly 30 state and U.S. highways in at least 18 counties statewide are closed because of flooding.