NATCHEZ — The severe thunderstorm that passed through Tuesday night caused power outages to 3,500 Entergy customers — including Natchez Community Hospital and Natchez Regional Medical Center.

Entergy Customer Service Manager Stephen Caruthers said the heavy winds that came through the area around 7:15 p.m. caused the considerable outage.

Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said a gust of wind at 41 miles per hour initially came in, and during the peak of the storm, one gust reached 50 miles per hour, as recorded at the Emergency Operation Center.

The airport recorded its highest gust at 52 miles per hour.

The wind held steady at 35 miles per hour.

Owens said he spoke with the National Weather Service in Jackson and was told that the storm intensified right before it hit Adams County.

Owens said there were trees down on Melrose-Montebello Avenue, Marquette Avenue, Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, D.A. Biglane, Sherwood Drive and Providence Road.

Other trees had fallen on Shadow Lane, Espero Drive, Canal Street, Creek Bend Road, Homechitto Street, Winchester Road and Eastwood Road.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said a tree fell on a car at Glenburney Nursing Home and in the 200 block of Jefferson Davis Boulevard a tree fell on a house.

He also said two trees had fallen on John R. Junkin Drive completely blocking off the road.

The traffic light at John R. Junkin and Canalwas down and there was significant roof damage to Christine and Henry’s gas station on U.S. 61 North.

He said there were crews working to remove the trees.

Caruthers said the outages can be attributed to downed lines and limbs and trees on lines.

“I don’t think there’s any failure from Entergy’s equipment except from the wind and tree limbs,” he said.

Entergy crews were working Tuesday evening to restore power to the hospitals first.

Caruthers said he hoped power would be completely restored by this morning.