PAWNEE, Okla. — A strong storm moved through part of Oklahoma, flipping over several camping vehicles and downing trees and power lines, authorities said. One death was reported.
Early Friday, the city of Pawnee asked residents to move about the area carefully and said there were several areas still without power.
“Crews have worked through the night and are still out,” according to the city.
The city earlier said damage around the town from the Thursday night storm was significant, with several roads closed. The National Weather Service office in Tulsa received wind gust reports of up to 72 mph (116 kph) and hail the size of golf balls.
One person died in an RV that flipped, said Pawnee County Sheriff Darrin Varnell. He said others were damaged and people “essentially lost just about everything they own in a matter of seconds.”
“Right now, we’re not sure whether it was straight-line wind damage or tornado,” meteorologist Mark Plate in the Tulsa office said Friday morning. “We’ll have to send out survey teams today to survey the damage.”
Pawnee Public Schools were closed Friday due to storm damage. Homecoming activities Thursday night were canceled because of the weather.
Pawnee, which has about 1,900 people, is in northeast Oklahoma, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of Tulsa.
A powerful storm swept through Oklahoma on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. One person was tragically killed when several RVs were overturned by the strong winds.
The storm, which brought heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds, struck the town of Tulsa with little warning. The sudden and intense nature of the storm caught many residents off guard, leading to chaos and confusion as people scrambled to seek shelter.
The RV park where the fatal incident occurred was hit particularly hard, with several vehicles being tossed around like toys in the fierce winds. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped inside the overturned RVs, but sadly, one person did not survive the ordeal.
The victim has been identified as a 45-year-old man who was staying in one of the RVs at the park. His death serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather events, and the importance of being prepared and taking precautions during such storms.
Local authorities have issued warnings for residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm passes. The cleanup efforts are already underway, with crews working tirelessly to clear debris and restore power to affected areas.
As climate change continues to fuel more frequent and severe weather events, it is crucial for communities to be vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. By staying informed, having a plan in place, and heeding warnings from authorities, we can all work together to minimize the impact of these devastating storms.
