In brief
A powerful tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, wreaking havoc across the city, including the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Fortunately, no deaths were reported, but emergency crews are conducting search and rescue operations for trapped residents. Governor Kevin Stitt has urged prayers for the affected community as recovery efforts begin.
ENID, Okla. (AP) — A powerful tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, unleashing a wave of destruction, with roofs ripped off buildings and homes reduced to rubble. Emergency responders hurried to the area near Vance Air Force Base following the intense storm.
The storm swept through Enid, a city with approximately 50,000 residents close to the northern border, as confirmed by the National Weather Service. Eyewitnesses captured video footage displaying a swirling column of air making contact with the ground, devastating local properties.
Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities, with only minor injuries confirmed by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Officials are visiting neighborhoods to ensure the safety of residents and assist those affected.
Mayor David Mason highlighted the rescue efforts, revealing that some individuals were trapped inside their homes due to the debris. Areas like Gray Ridge faced some of the most extensive damage, with many homes destroyed.
One resident, Amy Kuntz, recounted the harrowing experience of her daughter being home alone during the storm, prompting a frantic call for guidance. “She said, ‘I don’t know what to do,’ and I instructed her to get in the bathtub just moments before the roof was torn away,” she shared with KFOR-TV.
Images from the scene depict debris where neighborhoods once thrived, with additional structural damage reported at Vance Air Force Base, located about 80 miles north of Oklahoma City. The base has been closed for the time being to facilitate repairs to power and water services.
In light of the disaster, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt took to social media to express his support for the affected communities and called for prayers for Enid as recovery efforts begin to unfold.
As storm systems moved through other states, Kearney, Missouri, also faced challenges from debris and damaged structures, although no injuries were reported there.
