At least one adult has died and multiple people are injured after an “extremely dangerous” tornado swept through central Oklahoma on Wednesday, the Tulsa County sheriff’s office confirmed.
The National Weather service warned residents earlier in the evening that a tornado was barrelling toward Tulsa, Oklahoma. The tornado was spotted around 5.45pm central time near Tulsa. Forecasters urged residents in the twister’s path to take shelter, warning that flying debris will be dangerous. Mobile homes are in danger of being destroyed and damage to roofs, windows, vehicles and trees is likely, the service said.
NBC’s affiliate in Tulsa, KJRH, reported that the fatality was confirmed in Sand Springs, a city within Osage and Tulsa county, and that responders there are still sweeping the area in search of other possible victims.
Several homes here in Moore damaged. pic.twitter.com/TM2XJFuHJF
— Graham Lee Brewer (@grahambrewer) March 26, 2015
Local news is reporting that a weak tornado touched down in Moore, Oklahoma, about 100 miles south-west of Tulsa. Severe weather has knocked out power for 24,000 customers in Tulsa metro, Osage County, the local NBC affiliate reported. A severe thunderstorm warning is also in place for Tulsa county. The Oklahoman is reporting some flooding and damage to homes and cars.
A tornado warning was put in place on Wednesday evening for parts of Osage, Rogers, Wagoner and Tulsa counties. That warning remains in effect until 7.30pm local time.
A severe weather system in Arkansas on Tuesday night marked the first tornado in the US for the month of March, often the time of year when twisters are starting to ramp up. It was the first time in 45 years the National Weather Service had not issued a single severe thunderstorm or tornado watch this far into March, according to the Washington Post.
Before this week, only about two dozen twisters had been recorded so far this year, compared with the 120 that are typical during this period, the Associated Press reported.
