Severe storms raged through south-central Oklahoma Monday night and early Tuesday morning. It produced an EF-1 tornado in Ada that damaged a few mobile homes, utility poles and trees in its path, according to the National Weather Service. Another tornado in rural Pontotoc County south east of the city has been reported to the service.
An apartment complex also sustained damage and there are reports of damage to other structures and an elementary school.
The storm also generated hail and powerful straight-line winds across the southern two-thirds of the state.
Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said via social media much of Ada and the surrounding area sustained significant damage. The City of Ada is reporting one injury and 24 displaced families.
“While some tribal facilities are closed due to damages and loss of power, many are open today to serve Chickasaw citizens,” Anoatubby said in the statement.
On Tuesday morning, more than 25,000 electric customers were left without power in the state. The bulk were reported in Pontotoc County with almost 7,000 outages, according to PowerOutage.us.
Ada Public Schools and Stonewall Public Schools were closed due to power outages and road damage in the area. Ada’s closure will continue on Wednesday.
Ada city officials warned residents of “downed power lines, gas leaks, and trees everywhere” on social media. The Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office asked people to stay off the streets if possible and respect road closures.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said via social media he is monitoring the situation and will help ensure necessary assistance will be made available.
“I would also like to thank the emergency crews and first responders who have responded with urgency and efficiency,” Cole said in the statement.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman said it received multiple accounts of damage in Ada.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bruce Thoren said the agency hadn’t officially confirmed a tornado in Ada as of Tuesday morning, but the damage strongly indicates one. And the storm may have produced more twisters.
“People are beginning to send us pictures,” NWS meteorologist Bruce Thoren said. “There could be more added.”
Chickasaw Nation Emergency Management is also doing damage assessments.
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