Published: March 24, 2009 08:09 am      

Storms move through Oklahoma

ALTUS — Severe thunderstorms that moved through Oklahoma dropped much-needed rain and damaged several homes in the southwest part of the state, authorities said.

Three homes were damaged in Jackson County when storms moved through Monday night, emergency management officials reported.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the county beginning just before 7 p.m. There was a report of a 59-mph wind gust in Altus, according to the weather service.

"One mobile home in Headrick was destroyed," said Jackson County Emergency Manager Jerry Gibson, "and a house was damaged."

Altus Emergency Manager Lloyd Colston said a house sustained roof damage, estimated at about $5,000. There were no other reports of damage elsewhere or injuries.

Parts of northern, central and southwestern Oklahoma were under a tornado watch for Monday afternoon into Monday night. Only one tornado warning was issued, for Logan County in north-central Oklahoma, but there was no confirmation that anything touched down.

Other high wind gusts reported were 58 mph in Chickasha and 60 mph in Lawton and west of Cyril, the weather service said.

According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, rainfall totals included 2.9 inches in Fort Cobb; 1.91 inches in Medicine Park and 1.17 inches in Altus and Minco.

The weather service allowed the tornado watch to expire at midnight and replaced it with a severe thunderstorm watch.