Prepare for nickel-sized hail with thunderstorms to hit Choctaw County Friday [Video]

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 5:43 p.m. on Friday for strong thunderstorms until 6:30 p.m. for Choctaw County.

The storms are packing nickel-sized hail (0.88 inches) and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

“At 5:43 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles southeast of Snell, or 13 miles west of Butler. This storm was nearly stationary,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”

The alert is for Butler.

The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”

Preparing for approaching lightning: Expert safety advice

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, …