Severe storms graze swath across Oklahoma over two days

Tuesday night, nearly 100,000 people lost power in the metro area. Downed power lines caused traffic snags, and high water trapped some people in vehicles.

Bethany, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Piedmont, The Village and Warr Acres were in the path of the storm, according to the weather service. Some hailstones larger than softballs were reported in the Piedmont and north Oklahoma City areas. Large hail fell across the Oklahoma City metro area and Canadian County.

Winds in excess of 60 mph were reported.

Two people reported being hit by hailstones and one was hit by debris Tuesday evening, EMSA officials said.

EMSA field supervisor Tony McCarty said one person was hit by a flying sign near Interstate 40 and Robinson Ave.

Of the two people hit by hailstones, one was taken to a hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. One of the victims was injured at NW 103 and Pennsylvania Avenue. The other hailstone injury location was not available Tuesday night.

Medics also responded to 14 wrecks directly attributable to the storms, “whether by low visibility, sliding through pooled water or disregarding traffic laws at intersections where power was off to traffic lights,” McCarty said.

About 500 people went to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City to take cover, said Rachel Wright, a Mercy spokeswoman. She said there was no structural damage reported at the hospital.

Oklahoma City police Lt. Don Holland and Oklahoma City Fire Department Deputy Chief Marc Woodard confirmed downed power lines and reports of hail damage and broken windows, especially in northern and northwest Oklahoma City. Woodard reported “21 power line incidents” including one at NW 164 and Western Avenue, near a gas station, Woodard said.

Holland also reported many home alarms going off from the hail and wind.

Downed power lines caused traffic problems at intersections, including Memorial Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, and at Hefner Road and Western Avenue, Holland said.