One Injured As Heavy Rain, Lightning And Strong Winds Hit Tulsa Area

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Strong thunderstorms with high winds and hail moved across the Tulsa area Wednesday morning as a storm system advanced into northeastern Oklahoma. 

The storms have produced one reported injury. A truck driver was injured when straight-line winds blew over a semi on Interstate 35 near Tonkawa in Kay County, according to Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten.

Winds up to 60 miles per hour and small hail were reported across north central Oklahoma as a line of storms moved east.  

William Hiller captured on video a spectacular lightning strike from the 15th floor of Williams Tower One.  He sent a still image of it to co-workers and one of them, Crystal Reed, forwarded it to The News On 6.

Sara Cressman may have taken a photo of the same lightning strike.  She snapped her picture from the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa at 415 East Independence, north of downtown.

Steve McDonald, a project producer at KRMG Radio, also may have photographed the same lightning bolt.  He took his photo from the roof of the building at 71st and Yale. 

All three posted their images on NewsOn6.com's Share page.  

Heavy lightning and rain slowed traffic across Tulsa and may have led to several traffic mishaps.   Several Tulsa streets were also flooded, including 43rd and Sheridan.

Tulsa Fire investigated reports of lightning strikes at several homes and businesses,

The National Weather Service says at least three tornadoes may have touched down overnight in far northwestern Oklahoma.

The News On 6 WARN team says after these storms move through, more severe weather is expected across the state this afternoon and evening. 

Those storms have the potential to produce tornadoes and large hail. 

Meteorologist Alan Crone said the highest wind gust recorded in the storm was 70 miles per hour near Noble at 6:36 a.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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