Powerful tornado devastates Enid, Oklahoma; homes reduced to rubble

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A powerful tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, ripping roofs off buildings, reducing homes to rubble and knocking down power poles across the rural community near Vance Air Force Base, according to the National Weather Service and local officials.

The confirmed tornado affected parts of Enid, a city of approximately 50,000 people near Oklahoma's northern border, with video footage showing a rapidly rotating column of air touching down as homes were destroyed. Some of the worst damage occurred in Gray Ridge, a neighborhood on the city's south side, where Mayor David Mason said residents were trapped in homes by debris and required rescue.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities, though authorities responded to only minor injuries hours after the tornado passed through, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. Emergency crews conducted door-to-door checks in some neighborhoods to assess residents' welfare and safety.

Residents described harrowing experiences during the storm. Amy Kuntz, who was driving home to Enid, instructed her daughter to take shelter in a bathtub over the phone. "Not even a minute later, she's like, Mom, the roof's gone," Kuntz told KFOR-TV.

The tornado also caused damage at Vance Air Force Base, located about 80 miles north of Oklahoma City, where fences and equipment were knocked down. The base closed indefinitely Friday due to ongoing power and water restoration efforts, according to an online post from officials.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt responded to the disaster on social media, writing: "Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight's tornado."

The National Weather Service in Norman warned that more storms could develop through Friday night across south-central and southeast Oklahoma, with strong to severe thunderstorms expected Saturday, including in the Enid area. The severe weather also impacted other states, with reports from Kearney, Missouri, north of Kansas City, indicating downed trees, debris-blocked roadways and home damage Thursday night.