Wind storm leaves thousands without power

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Thunderstorms packing winds of 80 mph tore across central portions of Oklahoma late Wednesday and early Thursday, knocking down power lines and leaving thousands without electrical

Thursday, June 12th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Thunderstorms packing winds of 80 mph tore across central portions of Oklahoma late Wednesday and early Thursday, knocking down power lines and leaving thousands without electrical service.

Nearly 18,000 electrical customers in Yukon, Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Pauls Valley and Moore lost power at the height of the storm. By Thursday morning, OG&E had restored power to all but about 3,500 customers.

Power lines were blown down in Chickasha, Oklahoma City and east of downtown Moore.

Trees and power lines were scattered across roads in northwest Oklahoma County and in Choctaw, a sheriff's dispatcher said. Lightning also hit a barn about 9 p.m. about two miles east of Anadarko in Caddo County.

This was the second straight night of thunderstorms in the area and the National Weather Service said more thunderstorms were possible Thursday.