Tornado Touches Down at Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Demolishes Neighboring Homes
A tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, destroying an estimated 40 to 50 homes, injuring 10 to 15 people and barely skirting an Air Force base — yet killing no one.
The storm cut a path directly through the northern Oklahoma city, defying the area’s usual pattern. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported 10 to 15 injuries and no fatalities. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said first responders were continuing secondary searches of impacted locations.
What Happened at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma?
Vance Air Force Base, in the southwestern part of Enid, sat right at the tornado’s edge. The base sustained light damage., like fences and equipment being knocked down. On Friday, the base confirmed all personnel have been accounted for, and it was closed for the time being.
“Only mission-essential personnel required to support critical operations and restoration of base utilities should report for duty,” the base said in a statement. “All other personnel should remain at home and monitor official base communication channels for updates and reporting instructions.”
Enid Mayor Speaks Out After Storm Damage
Approximately 2,600 power outages were reported statewide as of 7 a.m. Friday. Enid Mayor David Mason said rescues were made for residents who were trapped in their homes by debris.
“The support from our community has been remarkable. Local businesses have offered equipment and labor, residents have opened their doors, and supplies have poured in already,” he said. “This is who Enid is in challenging moments — we continue to show up for one another.”
Mason wrote that the immediate goal is to make the Gray Ridge area accessible to homeowners so they can reach their properties to coordinate cleanup efforts. Roofs, barns, power lines and more debris cover the roads.
“We ask all residents to respect perimeter controls and allow first responders to determine when it is safe to allow non-residents into the area. For now, please avoid the immediate vicinity so crews can continue their work efficiently,” he said.
Enid Community Begins Cleanup After Oklahoma Tornado
For Dave Lamerton, the tornado’s scale was unlike anything he had experienced. His son’s woodworking shop was completely destroyed.
He also spoke to The Oklahoman, thankful that he and his family weren’t hurt.
“We are blessed that nobody was hurt because it was a bad one. We live in Oklahoma, where tornadoes hit all the time. This one just hit perfect. But we’re blessed that nobody was hurt. We can fix the stuff.”
Members of the community began helping clear debris almost immediately. Strangers arrived before dawn.
“We met them today,” Lamerton said. “These guys saw it last night, got up early this morning, came down to help people out. You know, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
