Severe Thunderstorms and Tornado Warnings Hit Oklahoma and Texas

A series of severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings have affected parts of Oklahoma and Texas in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024. An emergency tornado warning was issued for the University of Oklahoma‘s Norman campus, with the first warning posted at 1:22 a.m. and subsequent warnings at 1:55 a.m. and 2:02 a.m. The university advised students to “seek shelter NOW inside the building you are in” and to move to the lowest floor or interior.

In central and southern Oklahoma, several tornadoes were reported, with one significant thunderstorm accompanied by a tornado advancing through eastern Oklahoma City towards Midwest City and the adjacent Tinker Air Force Base. The National Weather Service urged residents to “seek shelter immediately!” due to the potential for substantial damage to homes, vehicles, and trees. Tornado warnings were issued for over 300,000 individuals in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including Midwest City, Moore, and Del City.

A severe thunderstorm watch was also issued for portions of southern Oklahoma and western North Texas, effective from Saturday night until Sunday morning. This watch area includes the possibility of scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and the potential for a tornado or two. The Storm Prediction Center warned that thunderstorms would increase in coverage and intensity as a strong upper trough approaches the region.

In addition to the tornado warnings, flash flood warnings were activated for segments of Canadian, Grady, and Caddo counties due to several inches of accumulated rain and the anticipation of an additional two to three inches. Areas of northern Texas and southern and central Oklahoma were placed under a severe thunderstorm watch, with warnings expected to expire Sunday morning.