Lawton Residents Wake To Wild Winds And Scattered Debris From Derecho

A derecho blew through Oklahoma during the early hours Monday. Damage caused by high winds and isolated tornadoes were being reported across the state as daylight broke. Residents in Lawton were woken up by the sounds of high winds, heavy rain and hail around 3 a.m. and luckily, most residents didn't experience the amount of damage like Oklahoma residents in central Oklahoma.

Monday morning's storms were official deemed a derecho by the National Weather Service in Norman as the storms met the following three criteria: five significant severe winds of gusts over 70 miles per hour, at least 250 miles path of severe wind reports, and an unbroken or semi-broken line of storms producing damage. The last derecho reported in Oklahoma was February 2023.

Wind gusts of 55 miles per hour were reported near Lawton early Monday morning.

The derecho approached Lawton close to 1:45 a.m. Monday. By 2:30 a.m. weather apps signaled to Lawton residents that a dangerous storm was approaching the area. During the 3 a.m. hour most Lawton residents were woken by continuous rounds of roaring thunder, flashes of lightning, heavy rain and hail.

The highest wind gusts reported near Lawton was 55 miles per hour in Medicine Park. Other counties around Comanche County reported wind gusts over 60 miles per hour.

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Lawton residents dodged significant damage from Monday's derecho.

Many across central Oklahoma woke up with significant damage to homes, vehicles and trees. By Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Norman had reported that three confirmed tornadoes touched down in El Reno, Harrah and Wetumka.

Luckily, most Lawton residents woke up to find only a few limbs strewn about from the storm. Some residents reported lost power Monday morning, others had more serious damages, like big fallen tree limbs or damage to siding on homes.

Lawton High School may have received the biggest damage from Monday's storm as KSWO reported that portions of the school's roof had blown off.

The Comanche County Emergency Management is asking for residents in Lawton and the county to report damages from Monday's storms.

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More severe weather expected for Lawton Monday and Tuesday evening.

Lawton residents will need to remain weather aware this week as more severe weather is expected Monday and Tuesday evening. Monday night will see a low level severe weather threat with a few strong storms capable of producing quarter sized hail, 60 mile per hour winds and intense lightning.

A moderate threat level is expected for Lawton Tuesday evening and into Wednesday morning. According to News 9 Meteorologist David Payne, Tuesday will be warm and humid with an atmosphere primed for severe weather. Potential hazards for Tuesday include quarter size hail, winds 60 to 80 miles per hour and heavy rain.