A broad circulation moved through and out of Texas and Oklahoma on May 4 delivering heavy rainfall and tornadoes to the area. Major tornado damage occurred in Lockett, OK, near the Texas border and in Seminole, OK, southeast of Oklahoma City. Throughout Oklahoma, about 14,000 business and residence power outages were reported by evening in the affected areas.

Hail exceeding two inches in diameter was observed in southwest Oklahoma and parts of the Texas panhandle. Three people were injured in separate lightning strikes as the system moved through Wichita, KS with high winds and torrential rain.

As this extensive system tracked eastward, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in northern Arkansas, southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri. Officials were evacuating residents in Fayetteville, AK, where numerous homes and vehicles were underwater. Flash flood warnings were extended into Thursday morning throughout this area, and power remained out in several areas of Fayetteville.

A strong thunderstorm cell hit Joplin, MO, with straight-line winds downing numerous trees and power to about 1,800 residents interrupted.

This potent system remains an active threat, with the possibility strong storms and accompanying tornadoes anticipated today in northeast Texas, south-central Arkansas and northwest Louisiana.

APElectric has a large inventory of standalone generators made by some of the most popular manufacturers in the U.S. For information on these generators and to find out how to choose the appropriate generator for your needs call 847-516-8882 or visit our website for more information.