Storms rage through northern, central Oklahoma

Saturday, August 13th 2005, 5:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Thunderstorms brought torrential rain, small hail, lightning and winds of up to 70 mph in parts of central Oklahoma Friday, creating power outages for nearly 7,000 electrical customers in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Energy Corp. reported 1,060 customers without power in northern Oklahoma City, 2,136 in western Oklahoma City, 539 in Harrah and 531 in Yukon. Residents in Edmond, Arcadia, Bethany, El Reno, Guthrie, Village and Warr Acres also experienced power outages.

The metro area was hit hardest by the storms, which mostly stayed in the northwestern part of the state, said Ken Gallant, National Weather Center meteorologist. The storms produced strong winds from the north side of Oklahoma City to Stillwater, he said.

Some windows were blown out in Edmond, and the north metro area received minor tree damage, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Reed.

A charged power line fell across a trailer home in Yukon, electrically shocking a 28-year-old man inside, said Yukon Police Department Capt. Mitch Hoskins. The man was trapped inside until rescue workers pulled him out, but he was still conscious and talking when they took him to the hospital, Hoskins said.

High winds blew out several plate-glass windows at a Yukon business, and took down at least two other power lines, some light poles and fence panels in the city, Hoskins said.

Lightning sparked a house fire in The Village, a community in northwestern Oklahoma City. Firefighters say lightning struck wiring near the home, which then started the fire.

Chris Chronister, who lives in the home, said he saw the fire on a local television newscast and rushed home to see his house ablaze. All family members were reported safe.

More widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the weekend, Gallant said.