A storm system ripped through Southwestern Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle Thursday night generating at least seven tornadoes, powerful winds and large hail.
Comanche County Emergency Management Deputy Director and Floodplain Manager Alana Pack says Lawton saw significant hail, wind, and rain in the area Thursday night.
“Officially, information we received indicates that we did receive significant hail storms, so multiple reports of hail up to golf ball size hail, including wind damage, wind storm, recorded up to 65-70 miles per hour winds were recorded across the area. Did have some preliminary reports of a possible tornado touchdown, tornadic touchdown, reporting that there was a touchdown at that location and of course significant heavy rainfall.”
Pack urges those in the community who have storm damage to fill out their survey.
“So for structural damage we’re looking at significant roof damage, significant out building damage, limbs, powerlines, things of that nature.”
Pack says after Thursdays storms, she wants to encourage the community to make sure they’re always prepared for severe weather.
“I just want to really highly encourage everyone, this was a very significant storm system that moved through and it is not something we typically see for June weather behavior. I just want to remind everybody that preparedness and that sort of thing starts at home and that folks really need to take notice of the event that’s occurred and look at what they can do to become more resilient and prepared at home.”
Only 1 injury was reported and the individual had minor injuries.
The City of Lawton is telling residents they can put storm debris on the curb to be picked up at no extra charge.
KSWO reports the last time Lawton experienced a storm like this was 1979.
The National Weather Service in Norman say Geronimo quote “definitely had a tornado” crews are still accessing damage in Lawton to determine whether it was a tornado or strong winds.
At the height of the storm, Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported almost 19,000 customers were without power in the Lawton area.
Below is a link to the survey to report damage.
Community Damage Report (office.com)
