Hail and Damaging Wind in Oklahoma, June 4, 1998

A large and powerful severe thunderstorm moved across Choctaw County from west to east on the evening of June 4. This storm produced the radar signature of a large bow echo and was a prolific wind producer. The worst part of the storm moved eastward along US Hwy 70, downing numerous trees and power lines countywide. While the storm produced damage countywide, the worst-hit areas of Choctaw County were near Fort Towson. This storm produced widespread wind damage from Bryan County east to the Arkansas border. Specific reports from Choctaw County follow:- The Choctaw Electric Cooperative reported outages at each of its 13 substations due to broken power poles and trees which toppled onto transmission lines. Nearly 7,500 CEC customers in eastern Choctaw and western McCurtain Counties were without electricity after the storm. CEC replaced 20 broken poles, eight transformers, and one mile of line.- Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported 1,500 customers without electricity in the Fort Towson area following the storm. Hugo and Swink also had scattered power outages according to PSO.- Around 820 PM CDT, a large tree was blown down along US Hwy 70 one mile west of Boswell.- Around 842 PM CDT, spotters estimated wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles an hour in Hugo. These winds uprooted numerous trees and power lines which blocked several roadways around town. A newspaper clipping from the Hugo Daily News showed a picture of a very large uprooted tree that barely missed falling onto two homes on Clayton Street.- Around 845 PM CDT, a large tree was blown ont US Hwy 70 one mile east of Hugo, blocking the roadway.- Spotters reported tree damage between Hugo and Sawyer around 849 PM CDT.- The Oklahoma mesonet site 2 miles northwest of Hugo measured a 53 mph gust between 845 and 900 PM CDT.- Seven large trees were blown down in Ft. Towson's Hopson Park. Large branches were snapped off of trees all over town, blocking streets and falling on vehicles. At least one falling tree caused considerable damage to a car (pictured in the Hugo Daily News).- A barn was flattened near Fort Towson (pictured in the Hugo Daily News).

Location: intersection of I-40 and US Hwy 75

Reported by public in the Snug Harbor area

In addition, the Post Office at Red Bird reported hail of unknown size.