Strong winds and dust spawn power outages, big crash, wildfires in WF area
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information and to add photos.)
High winds and dust struck Wichita Falls Friday morning.
At 2 p.m., the National Weather Service reported westerly winds gusting to about 53 mph and blowing dust.
Holliday and Wichita West Volunteer firefighters battle a blaze in strong winds near Old State Road and Quail Ridge Road Friday.
The Burkburnett Fire Department reported low visibility on Interstate Highway 44 caused a multi-vehicle wreck north of the bridge over the Red River. The multiple vehicle accident was located at mile marker 1 in Oklahoma.
The wreck closed the highway for a while, but by 2 p.m. BFW reported travel had resumed slowly.
The Red River Bridge is open.
Holliday and Wichita West Volunteer firemen walk along the road near Old State Road and Quail Ridge Road on Friday.
Wichita Falls and much of the surrounding region was placed in a red flag warning for wildfires and placed in a high wind warning.
Emergency crews responded to wildfire in the vicinity of Huntington Lane and Iowa Park Road about 11:45 a.m.
Oncor reported about 600 customers in Wichita Falls and about 1,500 in the Wichita Falls area were without power by 2 p.m. Friday.
Firefighters battle a wildfire near Wellington Road on Friday in Wichita County
Wichita Falls first responders were alerted to various reports of power wires down and obstacles blown into roadways by late morning in Wichita Falls.
The National Weather Service forecast wind gusts of about 55 mph throughout the day and blowing dust until 11 p.m.
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This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Strong winds and lots of dust blow into Wichita Falls Friday
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