Oklahoma and parts of the Southern Plains face an ongoing threat of severe weather Monday after a weekend of violent storms and tornadoes that left homes destroyed, families displaced, and at least 11 people injured. Residents in the Oklahoma City area are now contending with tornado sirens and a renewed tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service, even as they attempt to recover from the damage inflicted by earlier storms.
Tornado Warnings and School Closures as New Storms Loom
Oklahoma City awoke to the sound of tornado sirens Monday morning, reminding residents of the destruction caused over the weekend. While no confirmed tornadoes or additional damage were reported from Monday’s morning storms, the forecast suggests a continuation of severe weather across central and eastern Oklahoma, northern Texas, western Arkansas, and southwestern Missouri.
School districts in the region, including Edmond Public Schools and Oklahoma City Public Schools, took precautions by canceling classes and other school activities for Monday due to hazardous weather conditions. Oklahoma City Public Schools also announced a closure for Tuesday. In Moore, community members rallied to send donations to families impacted by the storm, a sign of solidarity as the community begins to rebuild.
Rising Threats: More Storms Expected Across the Southern Plains
The storms that ravaged parts of Oklahoma over the weekend are expected to reintensify Monday afternoon, with thunderstorms projected to sweep through some of the same areas already devastated by previous tornadoes and flooding. According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), areas from central and eastern Texas up to the Illinois-Missouri border—including Dallas—are under a Level 2 (out of 5) severe thunderstorm threat. Forecasters warn of damaging winds, large hail, and the possibility of more tornadoes.
In addition to tornadic activity, heavy rain is likely to trigger flooding across northern Texas, much of Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, northwestern Arkansas, and southern Missouri, placing over 7 million people under flood watches. Flooding from intense downpours has already added to the destruction in the region, leaving roads submerged and impassable in some areas.
A Weekend of Devastation: Five Tornadoes, Hundreds of Damaged Structures
Over the weekend, Oklahoma experienced at least five tornadoes, accompanied by torrential rains that caused widespread flooding. The Oklahoma City Fire Department reported that nearly 40 structures were completely destroyed in the area, with another 43 suffering major damage and 54 sustaining minor damage. Video footage from CNN affiliate KOCO depicted overturned cars, shattered homes, and fields strewn with debris, including large fragments of wood and metal from destroyed buildings.
Residents shared harrowing stories of survival. Katie Anderson, a resident of southeast Oklahoma City, described waking up to her phone’s storm alert, initially mistaking it for her morning alarm. As she quickly realized the gravity of the situation, debris began pounding against her home, and sections of her roof collapsed under the weight of the heavy rainfall.
“Every single thing is replaceable, but people aren’t,” Anderson told KOKH, emphasizing her relief at escaping unharmed despite the severe damage to her property.
Thomas Shaver, another resident, described hearing a sound “like a train,” followed by a loud boom. He recounted gathering his family into a hallway and praying as part of their roof and bedrooms were torn away by the storm.
Emergency Declaration and Ongoing Power Outages
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an emergency declaration for six counties as recovery efforts began and severe weather continued to threaten the region. More than 12,000 residents remained without power as of Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.US. Restoration efforts are underway, but progress has been limited by the volatile weather conditions.
Stitt reassured residents that state officials are prioritizing power restoration at polling stations to ensure that voting can proceed smoothly during Tuesday’s presidential election. “We’ll advise the public if there’s any issue there with the polling stations and reroute people if we need to,” he said during a Sunday press briefing.
In a message on X, Stitt warned of life-threatening conditions across the state and emphasized the state’s ongoing efforts with local partners to provide essential resources to affected Oklahomans.
Severe Weather in Fall: A Growing Trend?
Tornadoes are less frequent in fall and winter but can occur when cold air collides with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, as has been the case in recent days. Climate scientists have observed a trend of tornadoes appearing during traditionally quieter seasons, though they remain cautious about definitively linking these events to climate change. While the relationship between climate change and severe thunderstorms remains complex, shifts in atmospheric patterns may be contributing to increased tornado activity outside the typical tornado season.
Community Support and Recovery Efforts
As the region braces for another round of severe weather, community support has been instrumental in helping affected families begin to recover. In Oklahoma’s Moore Public Schools district, community members have organized donations to support those who have lost their homes or sustained significant damage.
The path to recovery will be challenging as residents contend with continued storms and the slow process of rebuilding. The latest round of severe weather has reminded Oklahoma’s communities of both the resilience and the vulnerability of those living in tornado-prone regions.
