Powerful tornadoes tore across Oklahoma late Thursday, April 23, into early Friday, injuring at least 10 people, damaging homes and knocking out utilities as a widespread storm system moved across the Central Plains.
The severe weather was part of a larger system that stretched across the region, triggering dozens of tornado warnings. Warnings and watches were issued across Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska as storms intensified and tracked northeast.
In addition to tornadoes, the system produced large hail, damaging winds and frequent lightning.
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The outbreak comes during a volatile spring pattern that has brought back-to-back rounds of severe thunderstorms since late March, including hail, high winds and tornadoes.
For Oklahoma, tornado activity began in January 2026 with an unusually active month that set a record for the most tornadoes ever documented in January in the state, according to the Oklahoman.
Damage assessments were ongoing on April 24, with officials urging residents in impacted areas to avoid debris fields and remain alert as the storm system continued moving through the region.
Vance Air Force Base reopened
Due to the storms, officials had shut down operations at Vance Air Force Base – the Air Force’s fourth-largest training installation in the nation by operations – on April 24 after storms caused extensive damage in the surrounding area.
The Air Force’s busy training airfield was reopened after crews worked to restore water and power.
“As of 10:30 this morning, power has been fully restored across Vance AFB. Restoration efforts are underway and the installation is now open to all base personnel,” base officials said in a statement posted to social media.
According to the base's official Facebook page, all personnel are accounted for.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issues statement
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said state officials were coordinating with local leaders in Enid following the tornado damage, as emergency crews continued assessing impacts across the region.
He said state resources would remain available as communities work through response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storms.
"Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado. I have spoken with Enid’s local leaders and will continue working with them as they assess the damage and identify needs," Stitt said in a statement on Facebook. "My prayers are with everyone on Vance Air Force Base and the surrounding neighborhood, and I am asking God to bring healing and comfort in the days ahead. As storms continue to move across Oklahoma tonight, I urge everyone to stay weather aware, follow local warnings, and take shelter immediately when directed."
Oklahoma tornado season began in early January
On Jan. 8, five tornadoes were recorded throughout the day, ranging in strength from EF0 to EF2. The strongest of the five hit McClain and Cleveland counties just before 7:30 a.m. and injured one individual.
Other tornadoes cropped up in Cleveland, Pottawatomie and Osage counties, none of which caused injuries or deaths. The tornado event ended at 8:42 a.m., spanning just over an hour.
Damage was found in Purcell, Oklahoma, which sustained an EF2 tornado. Several homes and structures were rattled by the storm. Several buildings lost their roofs, while the power lines that once lined the community fell along the roads.
Similarly, just north of Lexington, Oklahoma, several residents reported damage to their property from the same EF2 tornado.
January tornadoes are unusual in Oklahoma, with only six occurrences since 2000.
Video: Storm chaser Reed Timmer follows Oklahoma tornado near Braman, Oklahoma
Video: Massive tornado barrels through Enid, Oklahoma, leaving several injured
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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma tornadoes cause injuries, temporarily shut down Air Force base
