Tornado outbreak: Strong tornadoes hit Oklahoma after dark causing damage, injuries

Dale Denwalt, The Oklahoman
Updated ·15 min read
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Numerous strong tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma on Saturday, with significant damage and injuries reported across the state. Several tornado-producing storms moved through the Oklahoma City metro area after dark.

Organizers with the Norman Music Festival and Festival of the Arts canceled the respective events well before storms arrived. Many of the area's high school proms were also canceled in advance of the weather.

Significant damage, injuries reported across Oklahoma

Tornadoes and severe storms caused damage in multiple Oklahoma counties after dark on Saturday.

Significant damage was reported in Sulphur, Ardmore and near Holdenville. Minor damage was reported in Oklahoma City, and a tornado that tracked through Norman also caused some damage. OG&E's outage map showed over 12,000 people in its coverage area were without power.

Monitor live weather broadcasts for the latest information. The tornado threat for some parts of Oklahoma will remain through the evening, along with the danger of flooding.

Oklahoma Emergency Management was collecting damage reports from across the state. As of 11 p.m., local emergency crews were still conducting damage assessments, so this list is not complete:

  • Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports injuries and power lines down in Carter County at the Flying J truck stop on Michelin Road. OHP reports additional injuries in Sulphur.

  • Cotton County Emergency Management reports three to five homes damaged in the Devol area. Numerous trees are down. One storm-related vehicle accident is also reported.

  • Duncan Emergency Management reports roadway flooding in the City of Duncan. Stephens County Emergency Management reports Clarity Creek in Duncan is close to overflowing. US Highway 81 is closed near Elder Ave. due to flooding.

  • Garfield County Emergency Management reports two homes damaged in the Hillsdale area.

  • Grant County Emergency Management reports numerous trees damaged or down.

  • Kay County Emergency Management reports three to four structures were damaged by storms earlier this evening northwest of Newkirk. Numerous trees and power poles were down. Two vehicle accidents were a result of the storms. Heavy rain also caused flooding on area roads.

  • Lincoln County Emergency Management reports debris and damage in the Davenport and Sparks areas.

  • Marlow Emergency Management reports roadway flooding on Highway 81 and E. Apache Ave.

  • McClain County Emergency Management reports damage west of Goldsby along Highway 74B.

  • Midwest City Emergency Management reports at least one structure damaged and multiple powerlines and limbs down.

  • Payne County Emergency Management reports damage to trees and outbuildings near Lone Chimney.

  • Tillman County Emergency Management reports flash flooding north of Grandfield. Numerous powerlines are down.

– Dale Denwalt

Multiple tornado warnings for OKC area, south Oklahoma

As of 10 p.m., the National Weather Service had issued at least six separate tornado warnings for storms stretching from Ardmore to the northeast Oklahoma and Lincoln County. These fast-moving storms are moving north-northeast.

Damage has been reported in Ardmore and near Riverwind Casino near Norman.

Monitor live weather broadcasts for the latest information. The tornado threat for some parts of Oklahoma will remain through the evening, along with the danger of flooding.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado spotted in Norman moving northeast

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service and News9 reported a tornado passed through Norman Saturday evening. There was no immediate reports of damage beyond downed trees.

A tornado warning was issued for Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties until 10:30 p.m. The warning includes areas east of Midwest City, along with Choctaw and Harrah.

Severe storms will continue, and tornadoes will remain a threat to the Oklahoma City metro area through the evening hours.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornadic storm approaching Norman, Moore

A tornado warning has been issued for McClain and Cleveland Counties. The alert includes Norman, Newcastle and Moore.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning near Blanchard

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for McClain and Grady Counties in southwestern Oklahoma. The affected area includes Dibble, Blanchard and Washington.

News9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne reported there was some radar evidence of debris in the air.

The storm is generally moving toward north-northeast toward Newcastle, Goldsby and Noble.

– Dale Denwalt

Power outages reported in southwestern Oklahoma

A dangerous thunderstorm has left more than 1,000 utility customers without power in Lawton, according to Public Service Company of Oklahoma's outage map.

Approximately 158 customers of OG&E across the state were experiencing an outage.

– Dale Denwalt

NWS extends tornado watch until 3 a.m.

The National Weather Service extended a tornado watch for central and parts of eastern Oklahoma until 3 a.m. Tornado watches are alerts to stay prepared and be ready to act, according to the NWS. They mean that tornadoes are possible and weather conditions "favor thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes."

More: Tornado watch or tornado warning: Which is worse? What to know about taking shelter

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning for Walters, Duncan

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a tornado warning for Comanche, Cotton and Stephens County in southwestern Oklahoman. The storm track includes the cities of Walters and Duncan.

This storm is moving northeast. The tornado warning will be active until at least 8 p.m.

– Dale Denwalt

Damage from tornadoes, wind reported in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported that damage has been spotted in several counties so far:

  • In Garfield County, two homes near Hillsdale were damaged.

  • Numerous trees were damaged or downed in Grant County

  • Kay County Emergency Management reported three or four structures were damaged, with power poles and trees downed. The storm also reportedly caused two vehicle accidents.

  • Damage to trees and outbuildings near Lone Chimney was reported by Payne County Emergency Management.

– Dale Denwalt

Storms expected to form along I-44

The National Weather Service posted online that severe storms will form along Interstate 44 over the next few hours. A large storm has already cross into Oklahoma from Texas, and is moving northeast toward the Lawton and Duncan areas.

Aside from severe wind, hail and tornadoes, another major threat to Oklahoma this evening is flooding into the overnight hours.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado threat for OKC increasing

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service are warning that the chance for a supercell thunderstorm, capable of producing strong tornadoes, is increasing.

The threat for this particular storm in the Oklahoma City metro area should be expected until at least 5:30 p.m.

A small tornado near Hinton was visible on News9's broadcast.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning for Canadian County storm

A severe storm near Eakly is now under a tornado warning, according to the National Weather Service. The warning includes Binger and Hinton.

The tornado warning continues until at least 4:30 p.m.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning near Stillwater

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Payne County, which includes Morrison and Sumner. This area is north of Stillwater. A tornado was spotted.

– Dale Denwalt

Festival of the Arts closed for the day

Arts Council OKC spokesman Will Hutchison told The Oklahoman that the event would be closing for the night. The Festival of the Arts is scheduled to reopen Sunday morning.

– Brandy McDonnell

Several school proms canceled

A number of school proms were canceled Saturday in advance of severe weather expected to continue through the early morning hours. According to local media reports, the following prom ceremonies will not be held tonight:

  • Edmond

  • Yukon

  • Emerson North

  • Northwest Classen

  • Putnam City North (rescheduled for Sunday evening)

  • Mustang (rescheduled for Sunday afternoon)

– Dale Denwalt

Edmond Schools cancels prom

Edmond school officials announced Saturday that tonight's prom would be canceled:

We have been monitoring the weather forecasts throughout the day and out of an abundance of caution, prom will be canceled for this evening. As you have likely seen the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for this afternoon and this evening noting today’s weather is a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” for the OKC Metro area.We understand this is not the desired outcome but the weather models are predicting conditions that are not safe for students or staff to encounter this evening. As you know, the safety of our students and staff members is always our top priority. The decision to cancel prom is actually more difficult than when we call a snow day because we know how much time and resources our families and schools spend making tonight memorable for our students.Communication will be sent regarding plans moving forward and if we can reschedule this evening's activities at a later date. We are already exploring options for next weekend.We appreciate your patience and understanding as we have had to make this difficult decision. Please stay safe and weather aware this evening.

Edmond Public Schools

– Murray Evans

Thunderstorm forms west of OKC

News9 meteorologists are reporting that severe thunderstorms have formed near Yukon, moving northbound. The Oklahoma City area remains under a tornado watch, while this particular storm has triggered a severe thunderstorm warning.

Rain in Oklahoma City has caused Festival of the Arts vendors to begin seeking shelter, according to Oklahoman reporter Brandy McDonnell.

– Dale Denwalt

Norman Music Festival activities canceled Saturday

In a post shared online by the Norman Police Department, organizers for the Norman Music Festival announced they would be canceling all outdoor events as well as the Sooner Theater on Saturday.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado confirmed north of Enid

News9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne said on air that a tornado was on the ground northeast of Hillsdale, a small community north of Enid. The storm is moving northeast toward Pond Creek.

A tornado warning continues for this storm until at least 1:45 p.m.

– Dale Denwalt

Updated timing of Oklahoma severe storms

The National Weather Service has issued an update to when residents should expect severe storms in their area. Storms will reach Oklahoma City after 3 p.m.

Another round of storms will pass through the area this evening after 9 p.m.

– Dale Denwalt

'Big crowd' at Festival of the Arts on day of severe weather

Oklahoman writer Brandy McDonnell is at the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts today, where she's reporting that weather is (so far) cooperating. Severe storms aren't forecast to hit the OKC area until this afternoon.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning for storm near Medford

A severe thunderstorm near Medford has strengthened and may produce a tornado imminently. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning until 12:15 p.m.

– Dale Denwalt

Active tornado warnings have expired

The tornado warnings active in western Oklahoma have expired. The storms remain severe and may strengthen again.

– Dale Denwalt

Tornado warning for Enid, Garfield County

A significant storm moving through northwest Oklahoma near Enid has the potential to develop a tornado imminently.

This tornado warning, and the alert for the other storm to its south, will continue until at least 11:15 a.m.

– Dale Denwalt

U.S. Air Force repositions aircraft ahead of storms

Airplanes from military bases in the Midwest are temporarily saying goodbye to their home bases today. This is a routine practice that happens often when severe weather approaches.

– Dale Denwalt

First tornado warning of the day in western Oklahoma

A strong thunderstorm near Leedey, Oklahoma, has triggered a tornado warning. This advisory lasts until 10:45 a.m.

– Dale Denwalt

OU Baseball cancels Saturday game

The University of Oklahoma baseball team announced it would cancel today's game against Texas.

The Sooners were scheduled to face the Longhorns at 4 p.m. today. The game will now be played as the first part of a double-header on Sunday. The replacement game will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, and the second game will take place 45 minutes after its conclusion.

Fans who purchased tickets for Sunday's game (originally scheduled for 2 p.m.) can use them for the second game of the DH. The stadium will be cleared after the conclusion of the first game and re-entry will be required for the finale.

– Brandy McDonnell

Weekly tornado siren test canceled

The tornado siren test that happens every Saturday at noon is canceled today. Sirens aren't tested on days when there is a threat of severe weather.

As of 9:15 a.m., western Oklahoma counties stretching from Enid to Altus are under a tornado watch until 1 p.m. Eastern and central Oklahoma are under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service.

– Dale Denwalt

In OKC, storms likely after noon

NWS Norman expects severe storms to reach the Oklahoma City area by as early as 10 a.m. The greatest threat of storms occurs in the afternoon and evening hours.

– Dale Denwalt

Weather alerts: Map of current watches and warnings

Click on a shaded area to learn more, or view the full-size map here.

What to do when there's a tornado watch

Be prepared — tornadoes are possible in and around the area mentioned in the watch. Be ready to act quickly.

National Weather Service: How to prepare for a tornado

What to do in a tornado warning

Take action now. A warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there's imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.

Live radar Oklahoma weather

Live Oklahoma power outages map

See live updates on how weather is impacting OG&E customers.

PSO power outage map

See live updates on how weather is impacting PSO utility customers.

Closings due to the weather

Keep up with school, church and event closings using the link below.

Oklahoma City Severe Weather Closings: Schools, churches, other services

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma weather Saturday evening includes tornado outbreak, flooding