Severe storms, tornadoes rock Oklahoma; thousands remain without power: Updates

Severe storms and reported tornadoes tore through Oklahoma on Saturday into early Sunday, injuring at least 11 people, toppling power lines and trees, and leaving a trail of destruction.

Multiple suspected tornadoes and storms in central and west Oklahoma damaged at least 100 homes statewide, Gov. Kevin Stitt said at a news conference Sunday. Downed power lines blocked roads and debris was strewn across the ground in some areas, and in Tulsa County, about 100 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, lightning strikes set a house on fire.

Firefighters rescued at least two people trapped in overturned mobile homes, the Oklahoma City Fire Department said in an update on social media. Firefighters also responded to individuals stranded in their vehicles due to flash flooding conditions.

The fire department initially reported that five people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries but said in a later update that the number increased to 11.

"Several others at the scene sustained minor injuries but chose not to seek medical treatment," the fire department said in an update Sunday. "At this time, there have been no reports of fatalities."

The storms caused "extensive damage to residential and commercial properties," and knocked down power lines, traffic lights, and trees throughout the area, the fire department said. By Sunday night, more than 17,000 people were without power — down from the nearly 82,000 people left in the dark Sunday morning, according to poweroutage.us.

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Multiple tornadoes reported around Oklahoma City

Storms that spun up in western Texas earlier in the weekend strengthened as they drifted over Oklahoma, triggering tornado and flash flood warnings across portions of the state on Saturday evening, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

More than 3 million people in east-central Oklahoma and stretching over the border into Texas were still under a tornado warning through 9 a.m. Sunday. By Sunday night, over 524,000 people across Oklahoma were under a tornado alert, according to USA TODAY's weather alerts tracker.

Rick Smith, National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist, said Sunday that at least five tornadoes hit the state, the Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

"We’re still surveying and that number will probably change, but for now that's what we got," Smith said. "It’s unusual for anytime of year to get tornadoes this strong after midnight, even more so in November. We always tell people tornado season is from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. It can happen anytime you get the right ingredients."

An unconfirmed tornado significantly damaged Newcastle Elementary School, south of Oklahoma City. Videos shared with local news showed the roof torn off school buildings and the gym.

Posts to social media showed severe damage from a reported tornado in Valley Brook, southeast Oklahoma City, according to the Oklahoman.

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Flood warnings as Oklahoma City river could crest at 18 feet

Fire officials warned people in the Oklahoma City metro area on Saturday evening to prepare to seek higher ground as torrential rains put the area at risk of flash flooding.

A flood warning was still in effect Sunday for part of the North Canadian River in Oklahoma City, which forecasters expect to crest at almost 18 feet on Sunday afternoon.

Two Oklahoma churches canceled Sunday services in response to the severe weather, according to the Oklahoman.

The National Weather Service warned Oklahomans on Sunday not to "let your guard down too much" – another round of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flooding will keep the storm risk elevated in the area today, forecasters said on X, formerly Twitter. Winds could reach up to 80 mph on Sunday, they warned.

Storms could continue through Election Day

The heaviest rainfall stretching into Sunday will target eastern and central Oklahoma, parts of northwestern Arkansas and southern Missouri, according to the weather service.

AccuWeather forecasters predicted severe thunderstorms will stick around the Oklahoma City area on Sunday before shifting northeast to reach a peak on Monday. A risk of widespread, damaging winds could continue late into that night, before weakening as voters head to the polls for Election Day on Tuesday.

Stitt said Sunday that one of the state's main priorities will be restoring power to polling places ahead of the election.

"We'll advise the public if there's any issue there with the polling stations and reroute people if we need to," Stitt said.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Dale Denwalt, Ryan Sharp, Josh Dulaney, and Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman