Storms leave damage behind in central Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Many Oklahomans spent Independence Day cleaning up after fierce storms left damage and power outages as they roared through the state.<br/><br/>There were no reports of injuries from

Tuesday, July 5th 2005, 5:48 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Many Oklahomans spent Independence Day cleaning up after fierce storms left damage and power outages as they roared through the state.

There were no reports of injuries from Monday's storms, but reports of damaged roofs and trees were common. Nearly 22,000 customers were without electricity at the height of the outages.

Michelann Ooten with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says several structures had roofs damaged or blown off in Blackwell in Kay County. Ooten said power lines were also downed, storefronts were blown out and a boat was sunk at Lake Ponca.

A wind gust of 102 miles per hour near Blackwell and winds reaching 78 miles per hour near Ponca City were recorded.

At one point, Oklahoma Gas and Electric says about 14,500 customers were without power, but number declined to about 3,500 Monday night.

American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers without electricity numbered about 7,400.