Hurricane-force winds forced Oklahomans to sweat it out Wednesday, knocking out power and air conditioning and creating a heat dome that is frying the state.
The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, issued an excessive heat warning that is valid until 9 p.m. Warm temperatures and excessive humidity can cause the heat index (also known as the feel-like temperature) to reach 120 degrees.
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“Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” cautioned the National Weather Service (NWS).
According to PowerOutage.US, about 80,000 homes and businesses remained without power as of midday Wednesday, following overnight and morning storms. That means there is no air conditioning to combat the heat.
Thunderstorms produced tropical storms and hurricane-force winds across Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and most of central and eastern Oklahoma. Many others found the morning commute frustrating. Downed trees and power poles littered the streets. A stoplight in Tulsa also sustained damage.
Tulsa had a 71-mph wind gust. Muskogee and Guthrie reported 68-mph gusts, while Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City reported a 73-mph gust.
“We’ve had multiple 70-mph wind gust reports in OKC!” said NWS Norman.
A fallen tree injured one person in Hochatown. Gusts tore roofs off homes around Logan County, destroying a huge barn.
Lightning from the storms caused a house fire in Oklahoma City. The Fire Department said that they responded to over 150 storm emergencies.
Edmund was exposed to frequent lighting throughout the night.
Oklahoma City’s high temperatures will hover around 100 degrees for the rest of the week, and respite from the heat will not come overnight. Low temperatures will persist in the upper 70s and lower 80s.
