OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Multiple tornadoes ripped through the Oklahoma City area early Sunday, injuring at least 11 people and damaging or destroying approximately 100 homes, according to local officials.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings across the region, including a specific alert for the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus. One tornado is suspected to have directly hit Oklahoma City, where most injuries occurred. Authorities reported that injured residents were receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at local hospitals.
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In one significant incident, the Oklahoma City Fire Department rescued two adults trapped in an overturned mobile home. Firefighters also responded to calls of people stranded in their vehicles due to flash flooding.
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As of Sunday afternoon, no fatalities had been reported. However, city officials confirmed that 39 structures were completely destroyed, 43 sustained major damage, and 54 had minor damage. Gov. Kevin Stitt declared an emergency for six counties as damage assessments continued.
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Meteorologist Nolan Meister of the NWS reported that an estimated six to twelve tornadoes touched down during a four-hour period, beginning around 11 p.m. Saturday. “The severe weather also produced flash flooding and large hail in the area,” Meister said.
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One suspected tornado struck Choctaw, a community about 17 miles east of Oklahoma City, around 1 a.m. on Sunday. The twister reportedly caused major damage to homes in Railhead Estates, prompting local police and firefighters to conduct door-to-door welfare checks. Several residents sustained minor injuries, and authorities opened the Choctaw Elementary gymnasium to offer temporary shelter.
By 9 a.m. Sunday, all tornado warnings had been lifted; however, the NWS warned that more severe weather was expected later in the day. Another round of tornado warnings was issued for the Oklahoma City area Sunday afternoon, with thunderstorms anticipated as well.
The NWS confirmed that a tornado touching down in southeast Oklahoma City was rated an EF3, packing wind speeds of 136-165 mph. Another tornado that hit Comanche in Stephens County was rated at least an EF2, with winds of 111-135 mph.
Among the emergency warnings issued, the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus instructed students and staff to shelter in place. The initial warning was posted at 1:22 a.m. on the university’s official social media account, with follow-up alerts at 1:55 a.m. and 2:02 a.m. urging those on campus to “move to the lowest floor or interior” of their buildings.
At 1:40 a.m., the NWS Storm Prediction Center issued an urgent update, extending a Tornado Watch over central and eastern Oklahoma, as well as a portion of northwest Texas. “A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area,” the center advised.
In a press conference Sunday evening, Gov. Stitt reminded residents that Red Cross shelters were available to provide aid, and the state emergency center remained fully activated. With over 30,000 households facing power outages, Stitt assured Oklahomans that all necessary steps would be taken to keep polling stations operational for Election Day, with rerouting options in place if needed.