Several severe tornadoes formed in Oklahoma in the early hours of Sunday morning, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure across the state.
Heavy rainfall has continued to wreak havoc around the state capital, with storms stretching all the way to northern Texas. Multiple social media accounts have been documenting the damage, reporting overturned cars, destroyed homes, and fires ignited by lightning.
Tornado warnings were issued for several areas until 2:30 a.m. CST Sunday by the National Weather Service (NWS) that include Norman and Wellston, where authorities warned: "This is a life-threatening situation. Seek shelter now!"
The University of Oklahoma issued a similar warning for those on its Norman campus, telling students at 1.22 a.m. to "seek shelter NOW inside the building you are in. Move to lowest floor/interior."
Storm chaser Jordan Hall shared images of the storm-hit areas in Valley Brook, a small community located in southeast Oklahoma City.
"Major tornado damage here in Valley Brook. Homes destroyed, cars tossed. Total structure loss. Search and rescue underway," Hall posted at 1 a.m.
The Valley Brook Police Department told Newsweek that there was no one trapped as a result of the storm, which had caused "virtually no damage" in the small town.
However, the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) reported more significant issues, telling Newsweek that areas in the southeastern part of the capital suffered "major damage."
About 10 to 12 houses suffered extreme damage, the department said, and several people needed "assistance getting out of their homes." These individuals have all been accounted for, and no injuries or fatalities have been recorded.
"A lot of tree damage. Power's out, vehicles damaged," OKCPD also told Newsweek.
Images taken by storm chaser, firefighter and videographer Ben McHone show a car flipped over into a home west of Sooner.
Another account, Falcon Storm Chasing, posted videos of tornadoes forming amid an intense thunderstorm in Byers, Texas. This was followed by a video of what appeared to be a large fire near Velma, Oklahoma, which the account said had been caused by a lightning strike. Newsweek could not verify the outbreak of the fire was a result of the storm.
The severe weather threat in Oklahoma City and several surrounding areas is "over for the night," said NWS Norman on X. However, a tornado watch has been issued for areas in both Oklahoma and Texas until 9 a.m. CST.
Authorities are expecting to battle more tornadoes, hail "up to 2-inch size," and wind gusts reaching as high as 70 miles per hour.
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