According to the National Weather Service, dangerous heat will persist in the days ahead, with the heat index climbing to the 105-115 degree range.
On Thursday, July 4, it will be sunny and with a high of near 100 degrees, and gusting winds of up to 20 miles per hour.
There is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms late night Thursday and early Friday, which could put a damper on any Independence Day celebrations.
The weather service urges everyone to be aware of symptoms and heat exhaustion and heat stroke and to take appropriate precautions.
The City of Eufaula is allowing folks suffering from the heat to use the community center as a cooling station during the day. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The center is also being used temporarily as an office for the Eufaula Memorial Library, which is expected to be closed for another week or so for mold remediation as well as maintenance to the facility.
Earlier this week, on Monday, the high in the area was expected to be near 96 and the heat index as high as 106.
Gary McManus, State Climatologist, said, “In the last 10 years worth of Junes in Oklahoma there have only been 12 days with heat index values of 114F or higher in the state, and two of those are yesterday “June 26) and today (June 27). So only 4 percent of days, and nearly all of those were in 2016 and 2023. The problem to some degree is that folks just aren’t as acclimated yet, as if anybody could acclimate to a heat index of 115-120.”
There is a 20 percent chance of rain Saturday, when the high temperature is expected to be near 90.
Area residents are not only having to contend with the suffocating heat, but many are still coping with damage caused on Wednesday by heavy rain and winds estimated as high as 90 miles per hour which blew down trees and limbs and some power lines.
District 2 County Commissioners said he had crews out cutting up trees that fell onto roads in various parts of his district.
City crews were quick to respond to clear streets that were blocked by fallen trees.
Residents also were busy, cutting up trees and limbs that had fallen on their property.
Dozens of customers of OG&E, Canadian Valley Electric Co-op and East Central Oklahoma Electric Co-op were without power, some for several days.
The outages impacted rural residents as well as residents of Checotah and outlying areas, Eufaula and outlying areas, Oktaha, Longtown, Porum Landing, Stidham, Windsor Shores, Snug Harbor, River Oaks, Canadian and Indianola.
According to Oklahoma Mesonet 1.47 inches of rain fell in a very short time, causing flooding in some areas.
To assist Eufaula residents, the city is sending crews to neighborhoods to pick up limbs that have been placed curbside.
“To help with the cleanup, the city crew will be making multiple passes through town to pick up and dispose of these downed tree limbs,” said City Manager Jeb Jones. “Please place your downed tree limbs and debris at the curb. Ensure the limbs are easily accessible for the city crew.
“We appreciate your cooperation and patience as our team works diligently to clear the debris as soon as possible. Thank you for helping us keep Eufaula clean and safe!’
He said this service will continue until all areas have been covered, “so if we miss you on the first pass, don’t worry – we will be back!”
