CNN
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More severe weather is expected in the Southern Plains on Monday as Oklahoma residents survey the devastation. storms that give rise to hurricanes It injured at least 11 people and destroyed homes over the weekend.

Severe storms will continue to lash the Southern Plains overnight and intensify again Monday across much of North Texas, Western Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and Oklahoma. More tornadoes may be seen in areas including Oklahoma City.

Although ongoing storms will eventually weaken Monday morning, severe weather is expected to increase throughout the day in parts of the region and continue into the evening; It could threaten many of the areas damaged by hurricanes and floods. over the weekend.

“Scattered severe thunderstorms associated with tornadoes, large hail and wind damage are likely Monday and Monday night from the southeastern Southern Plains to the Ozarks and mid-Mississippi Valley.” Storm Prediction Center (SPC)) warned. “A few of the hurricanes could be strong.”

According to the SPC, central and eastern Texas includes Dallas, Houston, Austin and St. A lowered warning of severe storms will extend into western Illinois, including cities in St. Louis and threatened with damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

Heavy downpours can also flood the streets. More than 7 million people are under flood watch in northern Texas, most of Oklahoma, southeast Kansas, northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri.

At least five tornadoes, combined with intense flooding from heavy rains, ripped through parts of Oklahoma late Saturday into Sunday, destroying homes and other structures.

Video of the damage CNN affiliate KOCO It shows cars overturned and entire houses destroyed. The storm knocked down telephone poles and split trees in half. Debris, including large pieces of wood and metal from collapsed buildings, is scattered around the affected areas.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department said about 40 structures were destroyed in the Oklahoma City area. Facebook post. While 43 other structures received major damage, 54 had minor damage.

At least 11 people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while several others suffered minor injuries but refused to seek medical attention, OCFD said Sunday night.

said Katie Anderson, who lives southeast of Oklahoma City. CNN affiliate KOKH He woke up Sunday to the sound of a severe storm alarm coming from his phone — he initially thought it was a church alarm. He later realized his house had been hit by debris. Heavy rain resulting from the storm had collapsed roofs in many places.

“Everything can be changed, but people can be changed,” Anderson said. “For us to walk away with no injuries and absolutely no problems means a lot more to me than whether or not I have a seat on the roof.”

“It was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard in my life,” said Thomas Shaver, another Oklahoma City resident. he told KOKHIt describes a huge explosion that sounded like a train on Sunday morning.

In the midst of the intense storm, Shaver told KOKH he pulled his daughter and wife into one of the hallways of their home and began praying. He said the bedrooms in his house were now gone, along with part of the roof.

“There’s a lot of damage to cars and other items, but some things survived and we can still get around for that, so we’re very grateful for that,” he told the press.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an emergency declaration for six counties. Stitt said at a news conference Sunday that officials are working to ensure that polling stations across the state have jurisdiction ahead of Tuesday’s presidential election.

“If there are any problems with the polling stations there, we will inform the public and reroute people if necessary,” the governor said. More than 16,000 electric customers in Oklahoma and Texas were still without power Sunday night. Power Outage.USA.

Stitt warned that potentially life-threatening conditions will spread across the state. “Utility restoration is ongoing as conditions allow, and the state is working closely with local partners to ensure Oklahomans have what they need,” he said. Publish on X.

The five tornadoes the National Weather Service has confirmed so far include two tornadoes believed to be strong EF-3 tornadoes, one in Harrah and the other near Sooner Road in Cleveland and Oklahoma counties. Tornado strength is measured using the Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, which rates tornadoes from EF-0 to EF-5 based on estimated wind speeds and associated damage.

Most tornadoes occurred in the dark of night, and residents awoke to the sight of shattered buildings and debris.

Nighttime tornadoes are twice as deadly as daytime tornadoes. research showsNighttime tornadoes are difficult to spot in the dark, and sleepers may not be aware that danger is approaching.