Saturday is clean-up day in south Tulsa, following last night's mirco-burst from a collapsing thunderstorm. Winds rushing from the storm knocked out power, toppled signs and trees and lifted shingles from roofs.
The worst damage is around the intersection of 81st and South Lewis. Tulsa Police sealed off the area as utility crews from PSO and other nearby companies scrambled to get power lines out of streets and the power restored. On Saturday morning, PSO reported several hundred customers still off-line.
The Sonic Drive-In at 81st and Lewis lost its sign from the winds. Trees were downed all over the Oral Roberts University Campus. On the southeast side of the intersection is the City-Plex Towers. The windows in the towers appeared to survive the storm, but many trees on the property did not.
ORU Executive Vice President Tim Philley said the storm broke windows and doors at the Mabee Center and damaged Howard Auditorium. A roof at an apartment complex was also damaged and the complex's parking lot flooded.
River Spirit Casino General Manager Jerry Floyd says the casino reopened about 7 a.m. Saturday following the storm that struck about 6 p.m. Friday.
EMSA has reported no injuries associated with the storm. The Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross offered assistance to residents of an apartment complex damaged by the storm.