Stormy pattern sets up in state
Firefighters conducted a water rescue and battled lightning-related fires Monday morning as meteorologists warned Oklahoma City residents of severe weather through Wednesday.
“Stay weather aware, have a plan before any severe weather occurs, and check the forecast often for the latest information,” the National Weather Service in Norman said.
Severe weather is expected throughout the week, with another storm system projected to hit Oklahoma on Wednesday.
Storms started developing late Sunday and moved into the state along Interstate 40 before spreading farther north. Some of the storms brought small hail and high-speed winds, but the primary concerns were lightning and heavy rainfall, meteorologists said.
The initial round of storms ended by Monday afternoon, but more intense weather was expected later in the state, brought in by contrasting warm and cold fronts in north and central Oklahoma from afternoon to evening.
Emergency responders battled issues from the heavy storms Monday morning, with lightning strikes igniting fires across Oklahoma City, including an oilfield tank battery in the 2600 block of N Walnut Ave.
“There was a great deal of smoke and flame, but firefighters were able to bring the fire under control quickly,” Fire Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson said in an email. “There was physical damage to the battery. It was leaking product, perhaps a crude/saltwater mixture ... (but) firefighters did apply a layer of foam over the contained product that had leaked to suppress vapors and prevent any further ignition.”
Firefighters remained onsite until representatives of the company and the Corporation Commission arrived. No structures were threatened, and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters also rescued a woman in the 2400 block of NW 39 about 9:30 a.m. The woman had been caught in floodwater inside a large drainage canal, but a dive team said they managed to secure her above water on a steep concrete embankment using rope.
By 10:30 a.m. Monday, more than 3,800 customers were without power in the service area for Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co, most in the Oklahoma City metro. Firefighters also had reported some downed power lines near the site of the oil well fire.
Meteorologists expected additional severe weather to return Wednesday evening, with large hail, damaging winds and “a few tornadoes” all possible.