April 24 (UPI) — A tornado touched down in Enid, Okla., injuring at least 10 people and causing extensive damage to homes in the area, local authorities said.
About 40 homes were damaged in the Enid area Thursday evening. The city is in north-central Oklahoma. Local news said the tornado passed through a residential area, an airport and several colleges, The New York Times reported.
Vance Air Force Base was closed Friday due to power outages and to assess damage, the base told its employees. All military personnel were accounted for.
KOCO meteorologist Jonathan Conder and pilot Chase Rutledge said the damage shows it was likely an EF-4 or EF-5 tornado, but the National Weather Service will make an official determination after assessing the damage.
Enid Mayor David Mason said some residents were rescued from damaged areas.
Authorities said those affected by the storm can go to a Red Cross shelter at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid.
Officials said emergency managers in Kay County reported power outages and damaged barns in Blackwell and Braman, Okla. Newkirk also saw minor wind damage and road flooding, KOCO reported.
Pawnee County Emergency Management reported flood damage on some roads.
There’s a lower risk of storms in Oklahoma Friday, but an enhanced risk is expected Saturday for Kansas and Oklahoma, the National Weather Service said.
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