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Thousands were left without power as a swarm of tornadoes hit the Oklahoma City area ahead of Election Day
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Thousands were left without power as a swarm of tornadoes hit the Oklahoma City area ahead of Election Day

At least 11 people were injured Sunday morning and nearly 100 homes were damaged or destroyed in multiple attacks. hurricanes It engulfed the Oklahoma City area.

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

One of the tornadoes is thought to have touched down directly in Oklahoma City, where most of the injuries occurred. Police and fire officials said that the injured, whose injuries were not life-threatening, were treated in hospitals.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department said Sunday it successfully rescued two adults trapped in an overturned mobile home. He also said firefighters responded to people trapped in their vehicles due to flash flood conditions.

No deaths have been reported as of Sunday afternoon.

However, Oklahoma City officials reported that 39 structures were destroyed, 43 structures suffered major damage, and 54 structures received minor damage.

Officials said damage assessment was ongoing, and Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an emergency declaration for six counties late Sunday.

National Meteorologist Nolan Meister said that in addition to structures damaged or destroyed by possible tornadoes that ripped through the region during a four-hour period starting around 11 p.m. Saturday, power lines were also downed, trees were downed and gas lines were ruptured. The Weather Service (NWS) in Norman, Oklahoma, told ABC News on Sunday.

“We estimate there are at least six tornadoes and potentially as many as 12 tornadoes,” Meister said, adding that the severe weather caused flash flooding and large hail in the area.

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

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

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

Police reported that many people were slightly injured in the incident.

“There is serious damage to houses in the area,” police said in a statement. he said. “We opened the gym at Choctaw Elementary School for anyone who needed a temporary place to rest and shelter.”

The nearby city of Harrah also suffered damage, according to the Choctaw Police Department, adding that people took shelter at a local casino.

Images of the 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.

But he said more severe weather conditions were headed for the Oklahoma City area. The NWS issued several tornado warnings in the Oklahoma City area Sunday afternoon and said storms were also expected.

The tornado that touched down in southeast Oklahoma City Sunday afternoon was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning wind speeds were 136-165 mph, the NWS said. Another tornado that hit Comanche in Stephens County was considered an EF2 tornado with wind speeds of at least 181-135 mph, officials said.

The NWS predicted more severe weather for the Oklahoma City area on Sunday.

Emergency tornado warnings issued Sunday included one at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus that caused students and staff to shelter in place, officials said.

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

“Take shelter inside the building you are in NOW” first message in question. “Go to the bottom floor/interior.”

At that time NWS in question was monitoring tornadoes in central and eastern Oklahoma. The agency’s Storm Prediction Center said a small area in northwest Texas was also under surveillance. urgent update at 1:40

Central said after about 15 minutes He had seen several “separate supercells” along the OK “maturing within the open hot sector.”

“A Hurricane Watch means that conditions in and near the watch area are favorable for tornadoes and severe storms,” the center said. “People in these areas should be aware of threatening weather conditions and take into account any subsequent statements and possible warnings.”

Oklahoma’s governor reminded residents at a news conference Sunday evening that Red Cross shelters remain open for services and resources, while the state emergency center remains active.

Noting that more than 30,000 households experienced power outages, Stitt said the state will prioritize opening polling places with electricity available by Election Day. He assured that if there were any problems, voters would be informed and redirected if necessary.

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

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