- A devastating tornado hit Enid, Oklahoma, causing damage to 40 homes but miraculously resulting in no fatalities.
- Locals sought refuge in basements as buildings were ripped from their foundations.
- Community-led cleanup operations are in progress, with the possibility of more storms on the horizon.
ENID, Okla. — The aftermath of a potent storm that spawned at least one violent tornado was evident on Friday as families in Oklahoma began the daunting task of cleaning up. The tornado wreaked havoc, damaging numerous homes, uprooting buildings from their foundations, and stripping trees of their bark.
Despite the destruction, there were no fatalities and only minor injuries were reported. Many residents sought safety in cellars, while others adhered to evacuation orders.
Approximately 40 homes suffered damage, and a nearby Air Force base also reported minor damage. The city of Enid, home to around 50,000 residents and located near the state’s northern border in Garfield County, bore the brunt of the destruction. The National Weather Service confirmed the presence of a tornado in the area, with video footage showing a rapidly rotating column of air touching down and homes in ruins.
“We are fortunate to have excellent meteorologists in Oklahoma,” said Justin Hunt of Enid, who sought shelter in his parents’ cellar upon hearing news of the approaching tornado.
Although basements are not common in Oklahoma due to the red clay soil and high water tables, many homes are equipped with storm cellars or safe rooms with reinforced concrete walls, providing a safe haven during tornadoes.
Emerging from the cellar, Hunt described the scene as “a disaster.”
“I’ve taken shelter in that cellar around 30 times in my life, but this is the first time I’ve come out to see such devastation,” he said, standing outside his parents’ one-story brick home, now with smashed windows, a caved-in garage door, and significant roof damage.
Commercial buildings south of the city were reduced to a jumble of twisted metal, shattered wood, and insulation by the powerful winds that displaced the buildings from their concrete foundations.
The tornado also toppled utility poles and left power lines entangled with large chunks of debris. One home had its metal roof partially ripped off, and trees were left bare of bark and limbs.
Dave Lamerton of Enid spent Friday morning salvaging what remained of his son Joseph’s woodworking shop south of the city, with the help of family members and volunteers who traveled from Kansas to assist with cleanup.
“The tornado cut a direct path through here,” Lamerton said, gesturing to the chaotic pile of splintered wood beams, furniture, debris, and heavy machinery that had been pushed to the edge of the building’s foundation. “There are items on the property that we can’t even locate.”
One striking image from Thursday’s storms shows a tornado in the Enid area with dark clouds of debris extending in a V-shape on either side. This is indicative of higher-end tornadoes, according to Mark Fox, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service’s Norman office. Such a violent motion occurs as winds pick up dirt, debris, and parts of people’s houses.
This signature is typical of a tornado with an EF-3 rating, or 136 to 165 mph, but it can also occur with a violent EF-2 rating or higher, he said.
“When you see something like this, you know it’s a violent tornado,” he said.
Adjacent counties also reported some flooded roads and barn damage. The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, dispatched two crews on Friday to conduct damage surveys related to six potential tornadoes in the Enid and Braman areas of north-central Oklahoma, meteorologist John Pike said.
In Enid, the police and fire departments, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, conducted multiple home searches, rescuing some trapped residents, Mayor David Mason said Friday.
Mason noted that some of the worst damage occurred in Gray Ridge, a neighborhood on the city’s south side, where homes were flattened.
“The support from our community has been remarkable. Businesses have offered equipment and labor, residents have opened their doors, and supplies have poured in already,” Mason posted online. “This is who Enid is in challenging moments — we continue to show up for one another.”
At the nearby Vance Air Force Base, about 80 miles north of Oklahoma City, fences and some equipment were knocked down. The base was closed until further notice “due to ongoing power and water restoration efforts,” it posted online Friday.
All personnel assigned to the base have been accounted for and no injuries were reported, 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Chief Ashley D. Hendricks said in an email Friday.
“Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posted on social media.
The weather service warned of the possibility of more storms through Friday night across south-central and southeast Oklahoma. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop on Saturday, including in the Enid area.
Other states also experienced stormy conditions. In Kearney, Missouri, north of Kansas City, officials reported downed trees, debris blocking roadways, and damage to homes on Thursday night after storms passed through the area. Officials said in a social media post that no injuries had been reported. Crews worked to make roads passable by early Friday and were expected to continue cleanup efforts during the day.
Disagree tornadoes suck but glad no one was hurt.
Disagree tornadoes are devastating no matter the outcome.