Tornadoes and storms devastate Oklahoma, causing injuries, mass power outages, and widespread flash flooding across the state.(Image by Sean Taylor/ AP)
EPICSTORIAN — Early Sunday morning, a series of severe storms and tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction across the state.
The violent weather damaged buildings, flipped vehicles, and left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity.
AP said authorities have confirmed that at least 11 people suffered injuries ‘severe enough to require hospitalization’, though, fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
Oklahoma City Hit Hard by Severe Storms and tornadoes
The brunt of the devastation occurred in Oklahoma City and nearby areas, yet the storms’ effects were felt throughout multiple parts of the state.
Residents were suddenly woken by tornado warnings stretching from central Oklahoma all the way to the Arkansas border.
Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in various areas, while lightning strikes reportedly ignited at least one house fire.
Initially, the storms caused power outages for more than 99,000 households and businesses, plunging communities into darkness, it said.
By midday, power restoration efforts reduced the number of affected customers to approximately 34,000, thanks to the diligent work of repair crews who continued to restore electricity across impacted regions.
Richard Thompson, the chief forecaster at the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, estimated that at least six tornadoes may have touched down during the night, compounding the damage.
Thompson warned that the risk of severe weather is not yet over, with forecasts predicting further heavy rainfall and potential storms into Monday.
“We’re closely monitoring conditions and advise everyone to stay alert,” he stated, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions ‘as the threat of additional flooding and disruptions remains’.
Despite the intensity of the storms, officials expressed relief that injuries were limited and, so far, no lives have been lost.
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Local emergency responders and utility workers are tirelessly assessing damage, clearing debris, and working to restore power.
As Oklahoma begins the cleanup process, authorities urge residents to heed weather warnings, stay informed, and prioritize safety while the storm threat persists.
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