Oklahoma tornadoes wreak havoc first weekend of November

(TULSA, Okla.) Many people across Oklahoma hoping to catch an hour of sleep when Daylight Savings time ended found just the opposite this weekend: tornado sirens going off during the wee hours of the time switch. Others woke up to worse.

A series of early morning tornadoes caused significant damage across Oklahoma Sunday morning, sending multiple people to the hospital and leaving thousands without power in their wake.

National Weather Service - Norman began conducting tornado damage surveys Sunday morning. So far, officials determined the Sooner Road tornado in Oklahoma City to be rated an EF3, the Comanche (Stephens Co) tornado to be rated at least EF2, the Harrah tornado to be rated an EF3 and tornado damage in Newcastle to be rated at least EF-1.

And the storms aren’t over yet.

National Weather Service - Tulsa said the severe thunderstorm threat will continue to increase across areas along and south of I-40 in southeast and east central Oklahoma into Sunday night.

Officials said all severe weather hazards are possible, including the potential for more tornadoes. They recommend having multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for parts of southeast and east central Oklahoma until 8 pm.

The American Red Cross recommends a small room with no windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building when you need to shelter in place. Mobile homes and vehicles are some of the worst places to shelter during a tornado.

NWS Tulsa said more thunderstorms are likely Monday afternoon and evening with some of the storms severe and, again, all modes of severe weather are possible.

Heavy rains have also increased flooding, flash flooding, and river flooding concerns. A Flood Watch was also issued for all of eastern Oklahoma and northwest and west central Arkansas through Monday evening.