A powerful tornado ripped through Enid, Oklahoma on Thursday, devastating the city of roughly 50,000 residents with destructive winds that tore roofs from buildings, obliterated homes, and knocked down utility infrastructure across the region.
The confirmed tornado struck parts of Enid in Garfield County near Oklahoma's northern border, leaving behind a landscape of twisted metal, splintered wood, and scattered debris. Dramatic video footage captured the rapidly rotating column of air touching down, with entire homes reduced to rubble.
According to Keli Cain, public affairs director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the immediate toll included 10 to 15 injuries, though no deaths have been reported as of Friday morning. Emergency responders continue assessing the full extent of damage across the affected areas.
Neighborhoods Devastated, Residents Trapped
The Gray Ridge neighbourhood on Enid's south side bore the brunt of the storm's fury, with entire residential blocks leveled and homes pushed completely off their concrete foundations. Commercial structures in the vicinity were transformed into unrecognizable piles of debris.
Enid Mayor David Mason reported that some residents became trapped beneath debris and required rescue by emergency personnel. Local police, the Enid Fire Department, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol launched extensive search and rescue operations throughout the affected neighbourhoods.
"The support from our community has been remarkable. Local businesses have offered equipment and labour, residents have opened their doors, and supplies have poured in already," Mayor Mason wrote on social media. "This is who Enid is in challenging moments — we continue to show up for one another."
Harrowing First-Hand Account
Amy Kuntz, who was driving home to Enid as the tornado approached, spoke with her daughter by phone as the storm intensified. The daughter sought shelter in the bathtub following her mother's urgent instructions—a safety measure that may have saved her life.
"She said, 'I don't know what to do,' And then I was like, 'Get in the bathtub.' So she got in the bathtub and not even a minute later, she's like, 'Mom, the roof's gone,'" Kuntz told KFOR-TV.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The tornado's path left utility poles snapped and power lines tangled with massive chunks of debris. Trees were stripped bare of bark and limbs, and a significant home in the area had its metal roof completely torn away. Neighbouring counties reported flooded roads and barn damage, with portions of Interstate 81 and other major routes forced to close temporarily.
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office reported that tornado damage knocked out its phone lines Friday morning, urging residents to contact 911 directly for emergencies.
Military Base Forced to Shut Down
Vance Air Force Base, located in Enid, announced early Friday that it would remain closed indefinitely as crews work on restoring power and water services damaged by the tornado. The closure underscores the storm's significant impact on critical infrastructure across the region.
This report is based on information from CBS News and the Associated Press.