Severe storms and tornadoes sweep through Oklahoma City

Severe storms and reported tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma from Saturday into early Sunday, injuring at least five people, downing power lines and trees and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

At least 14 homes were damaged, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. Downed power lines blocked roads and debris lay strewn on the ground in some areas. Lightning strikes set a home on fire in Tulsa County, about 100 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

Firefighters rescued at least two people trapped in overturned mobile homes, the Oklahoma City Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Five people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the storms moved through.

The storms severely damaged “numerous structures,” including destroying power lines and traffic lights and scattering trees throughout the area, the fire department said. According to poweroutage.us, nearly 82,000 people were still without power as of Sunday morning.

Several tornadoes were reported around Oklahoma City

Storms that struck West Texas over the weekend intensified as they swept across Oklahoma, triggering tornado and flash flood warnings in parts of the state Saturday evening, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

The National Weather Service received reports of at least three tornadoes across the state on Saturday. Fire officials also said a tornado hit Oklahoma City. More than 3 million people in east-central Oklahoma and the Texas border remained under a tornado warning as of 9 a.m. Sunday.

An unconfirmed tornado caused significant damage to Newcastle Elementary School south of Oklahoma City. Videos shared with local news showed the roof of school buildings and the gymnasium ripped off.

Social media posts showed severe damage from a reported tornado in Valley Brook, southeast Oklahoma City, the Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

Flood warnings as the Oklahoma City River could crest 18 feet

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

A flood warning remained in effect Sunday for a portion of the North Canadian River in Oklahoma City, which is expected to peak at nearly 18 feet Sunday afternoon before water levels begin to recede.

According to the Oklahoman, two churches in Oklahoma canceled Sunday services in response to the storm.

The National Weather Service warned Oklahomans on Sunday not to “let their guard down” – another round of thunderstorms, heavy rains and flooding will increase the risk of storms in the area today, forecasters said on Winds could reach 80 mph on Sunday, they warned.

The storms could last until Election Day

According to the weather service, the heaviest rains extending into Sunday will fall in eastern and central Oklahoma, parts of northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri.

AccuWeather forecasters predicted severe thunderstorms will continue in the Oklahoma City area on Sunday before moving northeast and peaking on Monday. The risk of widespread, damaging winds could persist late into the night before weakening as voters head to the polls on Tuesday for Election Day.

Contributors: Dale Denwalt and Ryan Sharp, The Oklahoman

Several tornadoes were reported around Oklahoma City

Flood warnings as the Oklahoma City River could crest 18 feet

The storms could last until Election Day

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