Update: Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for five Oklahoma counties affected by the storms.
Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties are included in the declaration.
“Due to impacts from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and hail beginning April 20 and ongoing, including extensive damage to power lines and infrastructure, it is necessary to assist and expedite all efforts of relief.” Stitt said.
Governor Stitt toured some of the damage Thursday morning. He said there was extensive damage on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus and at Shawnee High School.
The National Weather Service in Norman was surveying the damage throughout the day. Forecasters said EF-3 damage was found near Cole, Oklahoma where three people were killed as a result of the storms.
Update: A tornado left three people dead in central Oklahoma Wednesday night into Thursday.
The McClain County Sheriff’s Office said three people died overnight. Two victims were from McClain County, and one was from Pottawatomie County. MCSO said the most significant damage was around the town of Cole in McClain County.
MCSO said the first known touchdown of a tornado was near 260th Street and North Macarthur Avenue, just west of Cole. The tornado traveled east through Cole and turned north through the town of Goldsby.
MCSO said a Red Cross shelter has been activated at Washington Public Schools.
To report damage within the area, contact McClain County Emergency Management at 405-955-4600 or report damage at www.damage.ok.gov.
There is also major tornado damage reported in Shawnee in Pottawatomie County. The storm system damaged an assisted living facility, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), and a number of homes. OBU is closed Thursday and Friday due to damage.
Update: Severe storms left two people dead in central Oklahoma Wednesday night into Thursday.
McClain County Emergency Management said at least two people are dead in Cole, just southwest of Norman. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said search and rescue efforts continue there.
The storm system also damaged an assisted living facility, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), and a number of homes. OBU is closed Thursday due to damage.
There is also major tornado damage reported in Shawnee. Shawnee Public Schools closed Thursday. Pottawatomie County leaders have asked for help from Oklahoma Disaster Task Force One.
OG&E said about 18,300 customers are without service in Oklahoma, primarily due to high winds that damaged power lines and equipment. Crews are working nonstop to restore power as quickly as possible.
Several shelters have been opened across central Oklahoma for people who lost their homes overnight. The McClain County Sheriff’s Office said the Red Cross will set up at the community center in Goldsby.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has provided its first situation update on Wednesday night’s severe weather.
ODEMHS said damage assessments in all areas are ongoing but did say multiple tornadoes have been reported across Pottawatomie County by Pottawatomie County Emergency Management.
They also said multiple agencies are sending resources to help with search and rescue efforts, especially in Shawnee in Pottawatomie County and Cole in McClain County.
In a social media post, Oklahoma Baptist University said damage to the campus is significant. They also said no injuries have been reported.
In Washington, McClain County, a shelter is open at Washington School, 101 E. Kirby Ave.
In Noble, Cleveland County, a shelter is located at Noble High School, 401 E. Etowah.
In Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, a shelter is open at 1701 Gordon Cooper Dr.
The Salivation Army will be providing breakfast in Cole Thursday for residents and responders.
ODEMHS is asking anyone impacted by the storms to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov.
ODEMHS recommended anyone seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information call 211. They asked for people to only call 911 in emergencies.
For more information about ODEMHS, including information on emergency and disaster updates, click here.