Oklahoma faced a terrifying ordeal on Thursday night as massive tornadoes tore through the state, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Homes were flattened, vehicles were tossed into the air, and residents were left in a state of anxiety as these fierce storms moved through the region.
In the small town of Braman, located in Kay County near the Kansas border, the National Weather Service verified that a tornado touched down around 7:30 p.m. that evening. Unfortunately, the town was already experiencing a power outage, which meant the usual warning sirens were silent as the tornado approached, according to local officials.
Just an hour later, another tornado was confirmed by the weather service. This one struck at 8:40 p.m. on the southeastern side of Enid, impacting Vance Air Force Base. The astonishing power of the storm was captured in videos shared across social media, showing a menacing black vortex sweeping debris from the streets as ominous dark clouds loomed overhead.
Damon Lane, the Chief Meteorologist for KOCO News, was tracking the tornado over Enid live on air. He described it as “the strongest storm we have seen in a very long time here in Oklahoma,” underscoring the severity of the weather event and its impact on the state’s communities.
Shocking videos shared online showed the swirling black vortex lifting up debris from the streets as dark clouds filled the sky.
KOCO News Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane said the tornado over Enid, which he was tracking live on air, is ‘the strongest storm we have seen in a very long time here in Oklahoma.’
Behind him, video showed the storm ranging and leaving houses in ruins in its wake.
‘Oh, is that a house that was just hit?’ Lane said as he watched the tornado rage on. ‘Oh my goodness.’
Massive tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma on Thursday night
KOCO News Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane was left stunned when he saw a house flattened from the storm
When he regained his composure, he said the tornado was ‘getting bigger and bigger and bigger right now’
The sight left Lane momentarily speechless, as he was seen holding his fist up to his mouth.
‘OK yeah, that house is flattened – that house is completely flattened,’ he then said as he regained his composure, noting that the tornado was ‘getting bigger and bigger and bigger right now.’
Other footage shared online showed one of the massive tornadoes lifting up a vehicle into its swirling vortex, and a tornado approaching homes at Vance Air Force Base on Thursday night.
The storm came as a severe weather threat stretched all the way from Texas to the Great Lakes, which the National Weather Service warned was life-threatening and could produce golf ball-sized hail.
Dozens of tornado warnings remained in place across Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska Thursday night.
‘TAKE COVER NOW!’ the National Weather Service warned online. ‘Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows.
‘If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.’
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes struck down in Oklahoma on Thursday night, including one which hit Vance Air Force Base in Enid (pictured)
Following the tornado, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt offered his prayers for the Enid community, which he said ‘has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado.’
‘I have spoken with Enid’s local leaders and will continue working with them as they assess the damage and identify needs,’ he said in a statement.
‘My prayers are with everyone on Vance Air Force Base and the surrounding neighborhood, and I am asking God to bring healing and comfort in the days ahead.’
In the meantime, the American Red Cross said it is providing disaster assistance to those affected by the storm.
No injuries have been reported as of midnight EDT.
