Weather
At least one killed after strong and dangerous tornado moved through Oklahoma City metro area
A powerful and dangerous storm system tore through the Oklahoma City metro area overnight on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos.
Several tornadoes were reported to have touched down in southeastern Oklahoma City, severely impacting communities like Valley Brook, Del City, and Harrah.
The worst-hit area was Valley Brook, where homes were completely destroyed, prompting urgent search and rescue operations early Sunday morning.
Emergency responders and residents worked side-by-side, pulling people from their destroyed homes and guiding them to safer shelters, fearing additional tornadoes might follow.
Tragically, one fatality has been confirmed, and several others sustained serious injuries. Reports detail scenes of devastation, with houses demolished, vehicles tossed around, and residents trapped amid widespread gas leaks.
In Oklahoma City, six people were reported injured and required hospital treatment.
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, five of these injuries were concentrated in one specific area, though fortunately, none were life-threatening.
Southeastern Oklahoma City experienced multiple gas leaks, exacerbating the already hazardous conditions.
Across Oklahoma City and Del City, the storm left power lines and large trees uprooted. As of early Sunday morning, over 35,000 residents were without power.
The City of Choctaw’s mayor, Chad Allcox, posted an update on Facebook early Sunday morning:
Please keep the City of Choctaw, OK and Town of Harrah in your thoughts and prayers. Significant damage has been reported in both locations. Thank you to our staff, and first responders for working through the night.
This is the beginning of a few days of historical rain amounts and severe storms. Please be careful traveling the roads around the metro and the City of Choctaw. Our city crew are out working to shut down areas of high water throughout the night.
Oklahoma City police have urged residents to avoid southeastern Oklahoma City while recovery and repair efforts continue.
NEW JERSEY – Torrential rainfall has triggered widespread flash flooding across northern New Jersey, leaving roadways submerged, traffic paralyzed, and numerous motorists stranded.
In response to the rapidly deteriorating conditions, Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency Monday evening at 7:33 p.m., urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
“Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey,” Murphy wrote in a statement released on social media.
The flash flooding has severely impacted several major roadways, including:
- Route 22: Entire sections of the highway were completely underwater, with numerous vehicles stalled in rising floodwaters. Emergency responders are on scene assisting trapped motorists.
- New Jersey Turnpike: Near Newark, both northbound and southbound lanes experienced heavy flooding, resulting in lane closures and significant traffic delays. Some areas of the Turnpike are reported to be completely impassable as water levels continue to rise.
Residents described scenes of devastation, with roads transformed into rivers and entire neighborhoods inundated. Video footage from affected areas shows cars partially submerged, and water rushing through intersections and parking lots.
Officials have issued a strong warning: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Flash flooding remains an active threat as more rain is forecast throughout the evening and into Tuesday.
Emergency management teams across the state are working to coordinate response efforts, deploy high-water rescue vehicles, and mitigate further flooding.
Despite the swift response, public reaction has been mixed, with some residents criticizing the timing and preparedness of local and state agencies.
One social media user remarked, “Don’t bother calling FEMA, nobody will answer,” reflecting growing frustration over emergency response delays.
The duration of the State of Emergency remains unclear, but officials stress that residents should continue to monitor official alerts, follow emergency guidance, and contact 2-1-1 for shelter assistance if displaced.
If you are experiencing a flood-related emergency, contact local authorities immediately.
This is a developing situation. More updates will follow as the weather event continues to unfold.