After a very hot afternoon where temperatures across most of the state made it well into the 100's - thunderstorms formed in northwest Oklahoma. These storms quickly became severe, producing widespread damaging winds generally along and north of I-40. The highest measured wind speed was 96 mph at Lahoma, OK. Numerous other places measured severe wind gusts, including Okarche with 58 mph. The OG&E system took a big hit as thousands are without power now 12 hours after the event. In town, we were without power for almost six hours - between 7:14 P.M. and 1:04 A.M.

My chase trip was once again a short one, taking me north to Hennessey and then through portions of northeast Kingfisher County. I returned home to find a hot house without power and hit the road again - this time with my wife - checking out storms west and southwest of Okarche. These were well worth the trip that I might not have taken if the house was cool.