A tornado outbreak in Oklahoma has caused widespread damage and urged residents to seek cover as severe storms continue to pose a threat across several states, from Missouri to Texas.
According to the National Weather Service, multiple large and extremely dangerous tornadoes were reported on the ground simultaneously overnight in various parts of Oklahoma. Reports of injuries, property damage, flooding, and downed power lines and trees have been documented across several counties, as confirmed by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Sulphur, located over 80 miles from Oklahoma City, experienced injuries and impacts from at least two large tornadoes overnight, with a flood warning issued for the city. The weather service in Norman issued warnings urging first responders to prepare for additional tornado impacts immediately.
Furthermore, the weather service reported two tornadoes crossing Highway 9 between Goldsby and Blanchard simultaneously late Saturday, along with a sighting just east of Tinker Air Force Base. As a tornado approached Norman, the University of Oklahoma advised students and staff to seek shelter immediately.
The severe weather threat extends across a vast region, with nearly 47 million people at risk for severe weather on Sunday from east Texas northward into the upper Mississippi River Valley.
Cities such as Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Topeka, and the Kansas City metropolitan area could experience strong tornadoes as storms progress eastward across the southern Plains.
Currently, more than 7 million people are under tornado watches early Sunday, spanning over 800 miles from Texas to southern Wisconsin. Oklahoma’s emergency operations center has been activated, as urged by Governor Kevin Stitt, who advised residents to stay weather aware and prepare to seek shelter if necessary.