A large and destructive tornado ripped through northwestern Oklahoma overnight, prompting a rare tornado emergency as more than a dozen twisters touched down across the Plains, officials said Friday.
The storm caused significant damage in Enid and directly struck Vance Air Force Base, one of the U.S. military’s primary pilot training facilities. Local officials reported no immediate fatalities, but damage assessments were ongoing Friday morning. All residents in affected areas have been accounted for, according to Enid officials.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for the Enid area — the highest level of alert — as the powerful storm moved through Thursday night into Friday. Multiple other tornado reports came in from parts of Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma during the overnight outbreak.
The spring severe weather season has already produced several significant outbreaks this year. Meteorologists warn that additional rounds of storms remain possible across the southern and central Plains through the weekend.
Residents in Enid described widespread power outages, downed trees, and damaged homes, CBS News reported. Schools in the area closed Friday as utility crews and emergency teams worked to restore services.
As of Friday afternoon, no final damage estimates were available, but images from the scene showed roofs torn from buildings and vehicles overturned near the air base, per AP.
