BY MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Sudden winds that were reported to have reached 68 mph in some north Grayson County areas were responsible for the evacuation of a Grayson County College dorm and possibly for one car having gone off the highway into a creek where the rapidly-moving water swept the driver downstream about 1,000 feet.

The winds and heavy rains came up quickly from the west, and struck the hardest in the Fink/Preston Peninsula area, Knollwood, and Denison, according to Oncor representative Gerald Perrin. He said that 581 customers were without power.

"A good size tree falling against wires could take out a circuit, and that could shut down power to 581 customers," Perrin said, adding that the situation could be most likely handled with crews.

Police Chief Tim Green said that, about 1:15 p.m., a power pole fell against Jensen residential hall in Grayson County College, causing a loss of power. Because there were live wires exposed, hall director April Baker evacuated the 40 or more students inside the dorm. Green said that the student residents had gone through a fire drill the Sunday night before classes started on Monday, and because of that, the evacuation went smoothly and efficiently.

Shelle Cassell, the director of GCC's marketing and pubic information, said about the evacuation, "It took about 25 seconds, and it went in the best manner you could imagine." She said that after everyone was out, Green went through the building to be certain everyone had been able to vacate it.

Then, the students were taken to Silver Wings, which was also without power. In addition to those two buildings, Green and others at the college said, power was off at the cosmetology classrooms, the auto collision classrooms, and the golf course, and possibly at the truck driving building.

Denison Fire Department sounded warning sirens on the west end campuses and also on the main campus farther to the east on FM 691.

Carolyn Bennett, administrative assistant at Greater Texoma Utility Authority, said she saw rotation near the jet center at the north end of North Texas Regional Airport-Perrin Field, but did not see anything touch down on the ground. She and the rest of the staff sought shelter in the center of the building after hearing the sirens.

Cassell said that when the sirens sounded, students and teachers in classrooms on the main campus took shelter until the storm had passed. Classes then resumed.

The college contacted the American Red Cross, which supplied them with a trailer packed with cots, bedding, and other supplies. A GCC maintenance crew transferred the trailer back to the Workplace Center auditorium, where those evacuated dorm residents went for shelter until Oncor could have their dorm safe for them to return. Green said the students had access to the recreation and fitness rooms in the auditorium. They were also given meals.

Cassell reported that Oncor arrived about 4 p.m. and steadied the pole. The Oncor crew estimated power might be turned back on by 6 p.m.

"In the meantime, we have the students in the Life Center, where they can relax, play pool, ping pong and video games, eat dinner, or actually study," Cassell said. In case the outage lasts longer than expected, because of the American Red Cross's help, the college was prepared to house the students overnight.

Denison Police Lt. Mike Eppler said a local man was driving on FM 120 in the heaviest rain, which offered little visibility, when his vehicle landed in a creek. Eppler said police had not determined Wednesday afternoon if it was lack of visibility or hydroplaning that caused the man to drive off the roadway.

The driver said, according to Eppler, that his car door came open and the water washed him away.

Denison Assistant Fire Chief Bill Ray said two firefighters, who are members of the department's swift water rescue team, walked downstream and found the driver about 200 yards from his vehicle. Eppler said the driver was treated at Texoma Medical Center and that he was all right.

Steven Hutchins of Bonham reported that 1.78 inches of rain fell in that area.

A house fire in Celina was blamed on a lightning strike, and even as late as 4:45 p.m., first responders continued to be called to dangerous situations, including a power pole on fire near Pottsboro.