Current:Home > reviewsSevere storms, tornadoes rock Oklahoma; thousands remain without power: Updates -ValueMetric
Severe storms, tornadoes rock Oklahoma; thousands remain without power: Updates
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-10 03:41:17
Severe storms and reported tornadoes tore through Oklahoma on Saturday into early Sunday, injuring at least 11 people, toppling power lines and trees, and leaving a trail of destruction.
Multiple suspected tornadoes and storms in central and west Oklahoma damaged at least 100 homes statewide, Gov. Kevin Stitt said at a news conference Sunday. Downed power lines blocked roads and debris was strewn across the ground in some areas, and in Tulsa County, about 100 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, lightning strikes set a house on fire.
Firefighters rescued at least two people trapped in overturned mobile homes, the Oklahoma City Fire Department said in an update on social media. Firefighters also responded to individuals stranded in their vehicles due to flash flooding conditions.
The fire department initially reported that five people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries but said in a later update that the number increased to 11.
"Several others at the scene sustained minor injuries but chose not to seek medical treatment," the fire department said in an update Sunday. "At this time, there have been no reports of fatalities."
The storms caused "extensive damage to residential and commercial properties," and knocked down power lines, traffic lights, and trees throughout the area, the fire department said. By Sunday night, more than 17,000 people were without power — down from the nearly 82,000 people left in the dark Sunday morning, according to poweroutage.us.
Tornado risk:Hurricane Helene's huge size ups a terrifying risk: Tornadoes
Multiple tornadoes reported around Oklahoma City
Storms that spun up in western Texas earlier in the weekend strengthened as they drifted over Oklahoma, triggering tornado and flash flood warnings across portions of the state on Saturday evening, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
More than 3 million people in east-central Oklahoma and stretching over the border into Texas were still under a tornado warning through 9 a.m. Sunday. By Sunday night, over 524,000 people across Oklahoma were under a tornado alert, according to USA TODAY's weather alerts tracker.
Rick Smith, National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist, said Sunday that at least five tornadoes hit the state, the Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
"We’re still surveying and that number will probably change, but for now that's what we got," Smith said. "It’s unusual for anytime of year to get tornadoes this strong after midnight, even more so in November. We always tell people tornado season is from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. It can happen anytime you get the right ingredients."
An unconfirmed tornado significantly damaged Newcastle Elementary School, south of Oklahoma City. Videos shared with local news showed the roof torn off school buildings and the gym.
Posts to social media showed severe damage from a reported tornado in Valley Brook, southeast Oklahoma City, according to the Oklahoman.
Election Day forecast::Good weather for most of the US, but rain in some swing states
Flood warnings as Oklahoma City river could crest at 18 feet
Fire officials warned people in the Oklahoma City metro area on Saturday evening to prepare to seek higher ground as torrential rains put the area at risk of flash flooding.
A flood warning was still in effect Sunday for part of the North Canadian River in Oklahoma City, which forecasters expect to crest at almost 18 feet on Sunday afternoon.
Two Oklahoma churches canceled Sunday services in response to the severe weather, according to the Oklahoman.
The National Weather Service warned Oklahomans on Sunday not to "let your guard down too much" – another round of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flooding will keep the storm risk elevated in the area today, forecasters said on X, formerly Twitter. Winds could reach up to 80 mph on Sunday, they warned.
Storms could continue through Election Day
The heaviest rainfall stretching into Sunday will target eastern and central Oklahoma, parts of northwestern Arkansas and southern Missouri, according to the weather service.
AccuWeather forecasters predicted severe thunderstorms will stick around the Oklahoma City area on Sunday before shifting northeast to reach a peak on Monday. A risk of widespread, damaging winds could continue late into that night, before weakening as voters head to the polls for Election Day on Tuesday.
Stitt said Sunday that one of the state's main priorities will be restoring power to polling places ahead of the election.
"We'll advise the public if there's any issue there with the polling stations and reroute people if we need to," Stitt said.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contributing: Dale Denwalt, Ryan Sharp, Josh Dulaney, and Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman
veryGood! (2656)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- El Salvador President Nayib Bukele takes his reelection campaign beyond the borders
- There’s still room to spend in Georgia’s budget even as tax collections slow
- Imam critically wounded in Newark mosque shooting, police say
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is returning home after extended deployment defending Israel
- Firefighters battling large fire at the home of Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill
- Prosecutors file evidence against Rays shortstop Wander Franco in Dominican Republic probe
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Vizio will pay $3M in settlement over refresh rates. Do you qualify for a payout?
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Trial of man charged with stabbing Salman Rushdie may be delayed until author's memoir is published
- Who Is Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Husband? Everything to Know About Ryan Anderson
- There’s still room to spend in Georgia’s budget even as tax collections slow
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- South Korean political opposition leader Lee Jae-myung stabbed in neck in Busan
- Founding member of Mr. Bungle arrested after girlfriend's remains found in California woods
- 12 years after she vanished, divers believe they have found body of woman in submerged vehicle
Recommendation
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
Germany’s CO2 emissions are at their lowest in 7 decades, study shows
U-Haul report shows this state attracted the most number of people relocating
'Golden Bachelor' runner-up Leslie Fhima spent birthday in hospital for unexpected surgery
'Stranger Things' prequel 'The First Shadow' is headed to Broadway
Is Patrick Mahomes playing in Chiefs' Week 18 game? Kansas City to sit QB for finale
See the Best Fashion Looks to Ever Hit the Golden Globes Red Carpet
ESPN apologizes for showing woman flashing her breast during Sugar Bowl broadcast