Severe Tornadoes Devastate Oklahoma, Injuring 11 and Leaving Tens of Thousands Without Power

OKLAHOMA CITY – Severe storms and tornadoes pounded Oklahoma early Sunday, hurling cars and ripping roofs off buildings in the middle of the night, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Authorities reported that 11 persons were hospitalized as a result of the multiple injuries.

Much of the damage was reported in and around Oklahoma City, which is at the state’s center, but it was also spread throughout the rest of the state. Tornado warnings were issued in the early morning, extending all the way south to the Arkansas state line.

Heavy rains produced flash floods in several locations, and there was one report of a house fire triggered by lightning.

Overnight storms knocked out electricity to more than 99,000 Oklahoma homes and businesses. By late Sunday afternoon, the number had been reduced to approximately 24,000. There had been no fatalities reported.

Richard Thompson, forecast head for the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, believes at least six tornadoes struck the state overnight. Meanwhile, experts cautioned state residents to expect more heavy rain and perhaps severe weather through Monday.

A tornado watch remained in force for much of central and southeast Oklahoma until 8 p.m. on Sunday. Other areas were under a thunderstorm or flood watch.

In Choctaw, east of Oklahoma City, firefighters and police officers went house to door Sunday morning to inquire about injuries.

“It leveled a complete neighborhood in Choctaw,” the town’s mayor, Chad Allcox, told the Associated Press. He noted that debris hampered search and rescue operations. “Power lines are down everywhere…a lot of the roads are blocked and difficult to get through. “Very large trees are blocking roadways.”

According to Scott Douglas, spokesman for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, heavy rain and the potential of tornadoes in the early morning darkness hindered early search and rescue attempts. He detailed an initial sweep of hard-hit regions at 1:30 a.m.

“There was a strong downpour. “We were trying to sweep the area with the possibility of a tornado coming through,” he said. “So that was in the back of our minds, too.”

Emergency responders had to remove two people from an overturned mobile home, including a woman who was hurt when an air conditioner landed on her leg, according to Douglas. As dawn broke, the extent of the damage became clear. Local television images showed broken power lines, home walls that had been torn off, overturned vehicles, and debris-filled neighborhood streets.

Douglas stated that 11 people were sent to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. “There were some other minor injuries, some walking wounded, that were going to get treatment on their own,” Douglas informed the crowd.

According to Allcox, early weather warnings and tornado sirens undoubtedly saved lives.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, a few shelters are available for evacuated residents or those without power, including one set up at a casino by the American Red Cross.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South was also damaged, according to state health officials.

As storms approached the University of Oklahoma campus around midnight, school authorities recommended students and staff take cover and descend to the lowest floor. The National Weather Service office in Norman also issued an urgent warning, stating on social media: “If you’re in the path of this storm, take cover immediately!”

Parts of Oklahoma remained at risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms later Sunday.