Severe storms and tornadoes struck Oklahoma early Sunday, causing significant damage by tossing vehicles and tearing roofs off buildings during the night.
The storms left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power, and authorities reported that 11 people were hospitalized among various injuries.
The majority of the destruction occurred in and around Oklahoma City, the state capital, with additional reports from other regions.
The storms prompted tornado warnings extending to the Arkansas state line, while heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding in some areas and a lightning-induced house fire.
At the peak, over 99,000 customers lost power during the storms, but by Monday morning, that number had decreased to about 12,000, according to PowerOutage.us. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Richard Thompson, the forecast chief for the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, estimated that six or more tornadoes struck the state overnight. Forecasters warned residents to prepare for more heavy rain and potential severe weather through Monday, stating, “We’re not done with it yet.”
A tornado watch was in effect for much of central and southeastern Oklahoma until 8 p.m. Sunday, with other areas under thunderstorm or flood watches.
In Choctaw, located east of Oklahoma City, local firefighters and police conducted door-to-door checks for injuries.
Mayor Chad Allcox reported extensive damage, noting that a complete neighborhood was leveled and debris hindered rescue operations. “Power lines are down everywhere… many roads are blocked, making it difficult to navigate. Large trees are obstructing roadways,” he said.
Oklahoma City Fire Department spokesman Scott Douglas explained that the combination of heavy rain and the ongoing threat of tornadoes complicated initial search and rescue efforts, with their first sweep of the worst-hit areas around 1:30 a.m.
Emergency responders rescued two individuals from an overturned mobile home, including a woman who suffered a leg injury from an air conditioner that fell on her.
As daylight arrived, the extent of the damage became clearer, with reports of downed power lines, homes stripped of walls, overturned vehicles, and debris-strewn streets.
Douglas mentioned that while 11 people were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, others with minor injuries sought treatment on their own. He credited early weather alerts and tornado sirens with likely saving lives.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management announced that several shelters, including one set up at a casino by the American Red Cross, were available for residents displaced or without power.
The Oklahoma Heart Hospital South also reported damage.
At the University of Oklahoma, officials advised students and staff to take shelter on the lowest floor as the storms approached.
The National Weather Service in Norman issued urgent warnings, urging those in the storm’s path to take immediate cover.
Parts of Oklahoma remained under threat for more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms later in the day.
