A powerful tornado struck Oklahoma on Thursday, ripping roofs from buildings, felling power poles, and prompting an emergency response in a rural community near Vance Air Force Base, officials said.
The confirmed twister moved across parts of Enid, a city of about 50,000 people near the state’s northern border, according to the National Weather Service.
Online video showed a rapidly rotating column of air touching down, leaving behind totalled homes.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities and only minor injuries hours after the tornado passed through, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Authorities were going door-to-door in some neighbourhoods to check on residents.
Vance Air Force Base was impacted by the tornado, but the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. The base stated in a social media post that officials “are currently conducting accountability procedures to ensure all personnel are safe and accounted for.”
“Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt posted on social media.
Enid Police Department spokesperson Cass Rains said there had been early reports of people trapped in homes and extensive damage.
Garfield County includes Vance Air Force Base, which is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.
🚨 BREAKING: Watch the full clip here ➤
