Devastating Tornadoes Tear Through Northern Oklahoma as Storm Chasers Track Destructive Weather

Powerful twin tornadoes tore through rural northern Oklahoma late Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction in the town of Enid and adjacent Vance Air Force Base, officials confirmed. The National Weather Service (NWS) rated one of the tornadoes an EF4, with winds exceeding 170 mph, marking the first EF4 tornado in Garfield County since April 26, 1991.

Tornadoes Strike Enid and Vance Air Force Base

The storm system, which moved through the region on the evening of April 24, 2026, triggered a rare tornado emergency for Enid, a city of more than 50,000 residents. The NWS Norman, Oklahoma, office issued the alert—the ninth such warning in its history—as the tornado approached the town around 9 p.m. Local time. The twister shredded homes, businesses and power lines, with severe damage reported in the Gray Ridge neighborhood and on Vance Air Force Base.

Garfield County Sheriff Cory Rink confirmed early reports of people trapped in damaged homes, prompting search and rescue operations. Despite the widespread destruction, authorities reported no serious injuries or fatalities as of early Friday morning. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office conducted door-to-door checks to account for all residents.

Vance Air Force Base, located adjacent to Enid, sustained damage during the storm. Base officials posted on social media that they were “conducting accountability procedures to ensure all personnel are safe and accounted for.” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt expressed support for the affected communities, writing on social media, Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado. 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.

Storm Chasers Document Twin Tornadoes Near Foraker

Storm chasers captured dramatic footage of twin tornadoes near Foraker, a rural area in Osage County, approximately 60 miles northeast of Enid. The dual funnels were part of a broader line of severe thunderstorms that swept across the Plains, prompting widespread severe weather alerts. The NWS confirmed multiple tornadoes in northern Oklahoma, including one near Braman in Kay County around 7:30 p.m. And another southeast of Enid at 8:40 p.m.

Mike Honigsberg, former emergency management director of Enid, told local media that the south side of the city had been “leveled,” though the full extent of the damage remained unclear until daylight. Power outages affected thousands of residents, and emergency crews worked through the night to assess the destruction and assist those in need.

No Fatalities Reported Despite Severe Damage

Local officials described the lack of serious injuries or deaths as “miraculous,” given the tornado’s intensity. KOCO-TV reported at least 10 injuries in Garfield County, though none were life-threatening. Enid Police Department spokesperson Cass Rains confirmed early reports of trapped residents but said no fatalities had been confirmed.

The EF4 tornado’s path through Enid and Vance Air Force Base underscored the storm’s destructive potential. The NWS noted that such high-intensity tornadoes are rare in the region, with the last EF4 in Garfield County occurring over three decades ago. Meteorologists warned that the severe weather threat would persist across the South and Central U.S. Into the weekend, with millions under risk of additional storms.

Governor Stitt pledged state support for Enid’s recovery efforts, stating that his office would assist in assessing damage and coordinating resources. Residents were urged to remain weather-aware as additional storms moved through the region.

What’s Next for Affected Communities

Recovery efforts in Enid and surrounding areas are expected to continue in the coming days as authorities conduct damage assessments and restore utilities. The NWS and local emergency management agencies will provide updates on shelter locations, debris removal, and assistance programs for affected residents.

For those in the path of ongoing severe weather, officials reiterated the importance of heeding local warnings and seeking shelter immediately when tornado or severe thunderstorm alerts are issued.