A powerful derecho swept across Oklahoma with wind gusts approaching 102 mph early Monday, June 22, knocking down nearly 100 power poles and leaving tens of thousands without electricity across the region. The severe weather event brought widespread damage to central Oklahoma, with the hardest-hit areas including The Village, Nichols Hills, Del City, and Midwest City.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric reported that nearly 50,000 customers were without power early Monday morning following the storm. At the height of the derecho, 83,021 electric customers had lost power, according to KOCO. By 7:30 a.m. Monday, OG&E had reduced outages to approximately 43,000 customers, with Oklahoma County experiencing the most severe impact, affecting just under 18,000 customers.
The storm caused significant infrastructure damage across the region. According to the Journal Record, the derecho knocked down nearly 100 power poles and damaged 28 transformers in central Oklahoma. Severe winds also brought down tree limbs and damaged homes throughout the affected areas, with damage concentrated near Interstate 240 and Bryant Avenue in Oklahoma City, as well as along Jensen Road near El Reno and Calumet.
A derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that can produce hurricane-force gusts and impact communities across hundreds of miles. The National Weather Service defines a derecho as a severe thunderstorm with multiple significant wind gusts of 70 mph or greater. The June 22 event brought sustained winds of 90–100+ mph across parts of the state.
OG&E deployed approximately 1,400 restoration and support personnel to address the damage, including more than 500 line workers, vegetation crews, and damage assessors brought in from Oklahoma and other states. Crews used roughly 23,000 feet of wire while rebuilding damaged portions of the electrical system. By the second day of restoration efforts, the utility reported that 76% of affected customers had power restored, with work continuing on the most heavily damaged circuits.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management asked residents with damage from the recent storms to report it online at damage.ok.gov, noting that reporting helps authorities understand the impact and can connect residents to recovery resources.
Sources
- The Oklahoman — Nearly 50,000 OG&E customers without power early Monday; updated June 22, 2026
- Journal Record — Nearly 100 power poles knocked down, 28 transformers damaged; OG&E restoration details; June 23, 2026
- Oklahoma Farm Report — 102 mph wind gust recorded at Hinton Mesonet site; June 22, 2026
- High Plains Journal — Derecho details with 102 mph peak gust; June 25, 2026
- KOCO — 83,021 customers without power at height of storm; June 23, 2026
