The far northern portion of Purcell got by far the most rainfall from the thunderstorm that packed a punch with lightning and straight line winds around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday night.

But the damage here paled in comparison to what Norman sustained.

It was reported to be the largest July 4 rain ever at Will Rogers International Airport, when just under two inches was recorded.

Norman took the brunt of the damage with power knocked out for at least three days and damage reported at numerous sites around town.

Far north Purcell sustained the most damage locally from winds said to be clocked around 100 m.p.h. in some areas.

Intense lightning accompanied the storm that raced from north to south. The storm that left Norman reeling, moved just a touch east before it reached Purcell cutting down on the damage here.

One residence north and east of Slaughterville reported six 100 year old trees had their huge trunks snapped like twigs about four feet up from the ground. The huge tree trunks were reported to be too big to put your arms around.

The further south the storm moved it dumped less rainfall and did less damage.

Tree limbs were blown down all over town with at least one SUV sustaining some damage in the northern portion of Purcell.

One gauge in the northern portion of town measured 1.2” while gauges in the central part of town showed half as much at .6”. The gauge at the Brent Bruehl Memorial Golf Course measured .5”. They didn’t get the amount of wind that northern Purcell sustained.

Golf Professional Mike Gowens told The Register Westwood Golf Course in Norman remained closed Monday and that it may be until at least Thursday before they can reopen.

Washington received .5 and a gauge in Dibble measured .4”. The Oklahoma Mesonet reported Byars got .7” with Norman getting 1.35”.

There was no prediction of severe weather in Central Oklahoma.

That .6” brings the unofficial total for Purcell for the year-to-date to 18.3”. This same time last year Purcell had recorded 38.64”.