The Tuesday afternoon thunderstorms that dumped rain across the state might have produced a small tornado near Mulhall but also resulted in lightning strikes that destroyed one oil tank battery and a massive home in Norman.
One tank was destroyed and a second was burning when Oklahoma City firefighters arrived at the scene of the tank battery near SW 15th and Frisco road. No injuries were reported.
The small possible tornado left minor damage near Mulhall. A resident on North Bryant near the small town reported the “swirling and roaring” of the storm around 6 p.m.
A lightning strike in Norman is believed to be the cause of a fire that destroyed an 8,000 square foot home in the 4700 block of N. Porter Avenue. The home was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. The family escaped unhurt. News 9 storm chaser Val Castor arrived in time to see most of the home going up in flames.
Flooding was reported throughout Oklahoma City as most of the rain fell within 30 minutes. The Highway Patrol temporarily closed I-235 because of flooding. Rescues were made as motorists drove into floodwaters and became stranded. One location was near NW 23 and Broadway. Near NW 10 and Pennsylvania, an estimated 10 cars were caught in the floodwaters. No injuries were reported.
The heaviest rainfall was 3.67 inches reported in Midwest City and parts of northern Cleveland County.
