Intense Storms Strike Oklahoma, Resulting in Injuries and Widespread Power Outages

Severe storms and tornadoes struck Oklahoma early Sunday, wreaking havoc as they tossed vehicles and tore roofs off buildings during the night. The powerful storms left approximately 86,000 homes and businesses without power, while at least six individuals suffered injuries.

As daylight emerged, the extent of the damage became more evident. The storms swept through Oklahoma City, the state capital, prompting tornado warnings extending towards the Arkansas border. Local news footage captured scenes of downed power lines, walls torn from homes, overturned cars, and streets cluttered with debris.

Oklahoma City Police Department Captain Valerie Littlejohn reported that six people were transported to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.

In Choctaw, a small town just outside of Oklahoma City, a tornado impacted a neighborhood shortly after midnight. Emergency responders went door-to-door to check for injuries and opened an elementary school gymnasium as a shelter for those affected.

"There is significant damage to homes in the area,"

the Choctaw Police Department posted on social media. In addition to structural damage, some areas experienced flooding, and one house was set ablaze after being struck by lightning.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported several shelters available for displaced residents or those without power, including one established at a local casino by the American Red Cross.

Damage also occurred at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South, according to state health officials. Early reports from the Oklahoma Fire Department indicated that crews rescued two individuals trapped in an overturned mobile home.

At the University of Oklahoma, officials urged students and staff to seek shelter on the lowest floors as storms approached campus. The National Weather Service in Norman issued urgent alerts via social media: "If you're in the path of this storm, take cover immediately!"

As Sunday progressed, parts of Oklahoma remained under threat for additional heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.