Oklahoma Tornado Videos Show Terrifying Storms As Buildings Damaged

Severe storms have battered parts of Oklahoma, with videos posted online showing extensive damage after tornados, heavy rain and high winds ripped through parts of the state overnight.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has reported several large tornados hitting the state, with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reporting injuries, damage to property and downed power lines in some areas. One video, posted on X by user Dr.Duet, shows a huge tornado accompanied by lightning travelling over the town of Sulphur in Murray County. Other clips show extensive damage to buildings and vehicles.

Context

Severe weather was forecast prior to the weekend across a range of Heartland and southern states. Millions of people were deemed at risk from severe weather events on Sunday, from Texas northward into the upper Mississippi River Valley.

What We Know

The most severe storm impacts appear to have taken place in Oklahoma, where emergency response teams across 11 counties have reported damage, flooding, and other impacts , according to Oklahoma's emergency department.

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X user Garret Tarver posted a video from Sulphur, which appears to be one of the worst affected areas. The clip shows the aftermath of a reported tornado, with debris strewn across streets and several buildings ripped apart. Lightning rips across the sky in the distance while locals step outside to survey the damage.

Two tornados were reported crossing Highway 9 between Goldsby and Blanchard in the late evening, just outside of Oklahoma City, with the NWS in Norman saying they may be hard to see as they are "heavily wrapped in rain." Another sighting was reported in near the town of Mill Creek in Chicksaw Nation. In a warning posted on X, the NWS said the area was in a "life-threatening situation."

X account Live Storm Chasers posted a clip of small tree branches impaled into the side of a building following the overnight storm in Norman. The account also posted footage of the aftermath, with what appear to be roadside signs and felled tree parts strewn on the ground.

What's Next?

"More active and unsettled weather is forecast to continue across the mid-section of the country through the remainder of the weekend into Monday," the NWS said in its latest report.

The service has issued tornado watches for parts of northern and central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri. Numerous flood watches are also in place these states as well as Kansas and central Illinois.

The weather service has urged anyone is affected areas, particularly in Oklahoma, to continue to be wary of flash flooding. "The primary threat at the moment is flash flooding from multiple rounds of storms, especially in southern Oklahoma," it said in a post on X. "Exercise as much caution as possible to avoid driving through flooded roadways tonight."

The Sooner State is not quite through the storm yet. Numerous tornado warnings have been issued overnight throughout Oklahoma, with several also in effect in Missouri and Arkansas.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has also warned Oklahomans to take cover as the severe weather continues. "The State Emergency Operations Center is activated for severe weather across Oklahoma," he wrote on X. "@okem [Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management] and other partners are prepared to support cities or counties impacted by storms or flooding. Stay weather aware and know where you'll take shelter if a severe storm threatens your area!"