Reports: 21 Tornadoes Touch Down, Cause Severe Damage Across Oklahoma

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Preliminary reports say 21 tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma as a severe storm moved across the state Monday. Tornadoes reportedly touched down in Wakita, Medford, Yukon, Moore, east of Noble and Tecumseh.

Softball and tennis ball sized hail fell across much of the storm's path and high winds caused additional damage.

Storm Damage from May 10

Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported more than 17,000 customers remained without power Tuesday morning, down from more than 34,000 late Monday. American Electric Power reported about 1,500 outages, down from more than 2,500.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said rural electric cooperatives had about 30,000 outages.

Check the latest OG&E power outages.

Governor Henry issued the following statement in response to the storm:

"Many communities have already suffered damages and we are doing everything we can to deliver them the help they need. Emergency management officials, state troopers and other first responders are in the field and will remain there as long as assistance is needed.

"If your community has already been impacted by a storm, please heed the warnings and directions of your local authorities, refrain from touring damaged areas and allow first responders to do their job.

Storm Damage Photos

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Oklahomans who have been impacted by the storms. We will be doing everything we can to help them in the hours and days to come."

Storm damage has been reported in Cleveland, Carter, Grady, Grant, Kay, Lincoln, McLain, Noble, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.

Severe damage, including downed power lines and road closings, was reported across the metro. I-40 westbound and eastbound was shut down at Choctaw Road due to downed power lines, but has reopened. The Love's Store at I-40 and Choctaw Road was completely leveled. According the Love's corporate office, employees and customers are safe. They rode out the storm in the cooler and bathrooms. Sonic in the area was heavily damaged. Roads are littered with debris and overturned cars. SkyNEWS 9 HD flew over multiple neighborhoods in Choctaw that suffered severe damage.

SkyNEWS 9 HD also flew over a severely damaged mobile home park at 120th Street and Maguire Road just east of Noble.

More Storm Pics

At S.E. 44th and Peebly Road, an entire farm was blown away with pieces of buildings and debris scattered in trees in the area.

Seminole airport also has major damage including two rent homes near the airport.

"We've had a very strange event: multiple tornadic portions with this event as it came through," said David Barnes, the emergency management director for Oklahoma County. "We have multiple vehicle overturned, a housing edition has had multiple homes destroyed."

The Storm Prediction Center at Norman had predicted the outbreak, saying the atmosphere had the right mix of winds, heat and moisture. One twister touched down just east of the center's building on the University of Oklahoma campus.

A housing addition near S.E. 29th has severe damage from the storm.

Power lines are down and large power poles were down in Shawnee at I-40 and Hwy 102.

Tecumseh suffered severe damage, with the Baptist church reportedly hit hard. The worst damage was reported along Broadway and 177.

Severe Weather Photos

Oklahoma City has asked citizens to begin mandatory water conservation efforts immediately for the next 48 hours.

Downed power lines resulted in power outages at the Lake Draper Water Treatment Plant. Citizens in south Oklahoma City are reporting low or no water pressure. OG&E is working to reroute the power service.

Norman residents are also being asked to conserve water after downed power lines affected Lake Thunderbird.

Severe Weather Pics

Remember to review your severe weather safety precautions so that you will be prepared if storms do impact your area. The best thing you can do is to have a plan, don't panic, and stay weather aware.

Don't forget to sign up for our free text message warning service, MobileAlert9, which will notify you of specific severe weather warnings on your mobile device.

Send us your weather photos at pics@news9.net and they could be used on air or in a slideshow.

More: Tornado Safety Tips