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Violent tornadoes touch down in Oklahoma leaving thousands without power, 1 dead

Storm damage in Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Public Service Company Of Oklahoma
Storm damage in Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Tornadoes touched down in Central and Northeast Oklahoma, leaving destruction – especially in the small Osage County town of Barnsdall and in Bartlesville.

At least eight tornadoes were reported statewide Monday night and around 30,000 customers lost power. At least one person is dead in Osage County, according to Newson6.

Conditions for severe weather were primed for tornadoes. According to Oklahoma Mesonet, it was the highest risk day in four years.

Barnsdall Tornado Damage

Osage County Emergency Management reported tornado damage in Barnsdall.

Social media and television crews showed chaos as law enforcement closed off access to the town while conducting search and rescue operations.

A nursing home was damaged and patients were evacuated. The facility "took a direct hit", according to a social media post from the the nursing home.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported 30-40 homes damaged in the Barnsdall area.

A natural gas leak was also reported.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for residents displaced by the storms at Gilbert Field House, 948 Cedar Ave.

This is the second tornado to hit the town this year. Barnsdall was also struck by a tornado back in early April.

Bartlesville Damage

Damage to multiple buildings was reported in and around Bartlesville.

Social media photos and videos showed a Hampton Inn on the Northeastern side of the city with damage and debris strewn about surrounding parking lots.

Washington County Emergency Management reported major damage to residential areas in Bartlesville, and to medical buildings on the Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center campus. Only minor injuries have been reported.

Oklahoma City Metro

A tornado warning was issued just before midnight for the southeast OKC metro.

A severe thunderstorm brought winds in excess of 70 mph, causing multiple power flashes in Norman and Moore.

Power poles were damaged on the west side of Moore and almost half of OG&E customers lost electricity in Moore.

Other Damage Reports

  • Blaine County Emergency Management reported damage to an abandoned hog farm and tank battery, as well as a house struck by lightning.
  • Okeene Emergency Management reported flooded streets, tree damage and downed powerlines.
  • Craig County Emergency Management reported damage to 4-5 homes in Welch and the Welch School old gym.
  • Garfield County Emergency Management reported downed trees and water over the road south of Waukomis, near Bison; and north of Covington. Several vehicles hydroplaned into ditches with no injuries reported. Three barns were destroyed south of Bison.
  • Kingfisher County reported roof damage to at least one home in Lacey, and one barn damaged near Hennessey. Power poles are down near Hennessey. Flash flooding occurred in Kingfisher.
  • Lincoln County Emergency Management reported flooding in Chandler, Tryon and Wellston areas as well as debris in some roadways.
  • Midwest City Emergency Management reported powerlines and limbs down.
  • Ottawa County Emergency Management reported trees down northwest of Commerce.
  • Weatherford Emergency Management reported damage to a barn and tree damage between Butler and Foss Lake.

Report Storm Damage

Oklahomans are being encouraged to report damage following last night's severe storms.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says residents can report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov.

Damage to homes, businesses, or agriculture can be submitted through the online survey.

Emergency management officials say reporting your damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.


This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.

Robby grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma and Fayetteville, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Journalism degree. Robby has reported for several newspapers, including The Roanoke Times in southwest Virginia. He reported for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2019 through 2022, focusing on education.
Logan Layden is a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma. Logan spent six years as a reporter with StateImpact from 2011 to 2017.
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