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Thousands lost power as tornadoes hit Oklahoma City area ahead of Election Day
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Thousands lost power as tornadoes hit Oklahoma City area ahead of Election Day

At least 11 people were injured Sunday morning and around 100 homes were damaged or destroyed when several tornadoes invaded the Oklahoma City area.

Authorities issued tornado warnings Sunday, including one for the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus.

One of the tornadoes reportedly touched down directly in Oklahoma City, where most of the injuries occurred. Police and firefighters said those injured were being treated at hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.

Oklahoma City firefighters said Sunday they successfully rescued two adults trapped in an overturned mobile home. Additionally, they said firefighters responded to individuals stranded in their vehicles due to flash flood conditions.

As of Sunday afternoon, no deaths had been reported.

However, Oklahoma City officials reported that 39 structures were destroyed, another 43 had significant damage, and 54 structures had minor damage.

Officials said damage assessments were underway, and Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an emergency declaration for six counties Sunday evening.

In addition to damaged or destroyed structures, power lines were downed, trees were toppled and gas lines were broken as the possible tornadoes tore through the area during a four-hour period beginning around 11 p.m. Saturday, Nolan Meister , meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman, Oklahoma, told ABC News on Sunday.

“We estimate there were at least six tornadoes and potentially as many as 12,” Meister said, adding that the extreme weather also brought flash flooding and large hail to the area.

He said the NWS has confirmed “a few” tornadoes and is working to confirm the others.

A possible tornado struck the community of Choctaw, about 17 miles east of Oklahoma City, around 1 a.m., according to the Choctaw Police Department.

The suspected tornado ripped through Railhead Estates in Choctaw, causing “major damage” to homes and prompting firefighters and police to go door-to-door checking on residents, authorities said in a statement.

Several people were slightly injured during the incident, police said.

“There is significant damage to homes in the area,” police said in a statement. “We have opened the Choctaw Elementary School gymnasium for anyone who needs a temporary place to rest and shelter.”

The nearby town of Harrah also suffered damage, according to the Choctaw Police Department, adding that people were sheltering in a local casino.

Images of damage also emerged Sunday in Newcastle, about 14 miles south of Oklahoma City.

Meister told ABC News that around 9 a.m. Sunday, all tornado warnings in the area were lifted.

However, he said more severe weather was headed toward the Oklahoma City area. The NWS issued several tornado warnings in the Oklahoma City area Sunday afternoon and said thunderstorms were also expected.

The NWS said Sunday afternoon that a tornado that touched down in southeast Oklahoma City was rated an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning it had wind speeds of 136 at 165 mph. Officials said another tornado that struck Comanche in Stephens County was classified as at least an EF2 tornado with wind speeds of 111 to 135 mph.

The NWS forecast more severe weather conditions throughout Sunday for the Oklahoma City area.

Among the emergency tornado warnings issued Sunday was one that prompted students and staff at the University of Oklahoma’s Normandy campus to shelter in place, officials said.

The warning was posted at 1:22 a.m. on the school’s official X account. The school issued additional warnings at 1:55 a.m. and 2:02 a.m.

“Seek shelter NOW inside the building you are in,” says the first message said. “Move to the lowest floor/interior.”

At the time, the NWS said he monitored tornadoes throughout central and eastern Oklahoma. A small area of ​​northwest Texas was also under watch, the agency’s Storm Prediction Center said. an urgent update at 1:40 a.m.

The center said about 15 minutes later he had seen several “discrete supercells” that had “matured in the open warm sector of the OK.”

“A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area,” the center said. “People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen to subsequent statements and possible warnings.”

Oklahoma’s governor reminded residents during a news conference Sunday evening that Red Cross shelters were open for services and resources, while the state’s emergency center remained activated.

With more than 30,000 homes experiencing power outages, Stitt said the state will prioritize getting polls open — with power available — before Election Day. If there are problems, he assured, voters will be informed and redirected if necessary.

ABC News’ Kenton Gewecke and Vanessa Navarrete contributed to this report.

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