More tornadoes hit Oklahoma

Five killed, tens of thousands without power as multiple tornadoes hit Oklahoma

As many as five tornadoes were reported across Oklahoma Friday, with nearly a hundred thousand people without power following the storms. At least five people have been killed, and much of the state is now flooded.

RT,

31 May, 2013

06:45 GMT: The tornado warning that was in effect for Washington County, Arkansas has been reduced to a 'severe thunderstorm' warning in the east.

05:50 GMT: Local news stations are urging people to ensure that nobody has been left trapped in any wreckages resulting from the disaster.

Flooding is proving a serious problem for residents and reporters alike, with the channel's Adam Mertz saying "where we ended up, it seemed about three feet of water...it was almost waist deep...almost impassable at certain spots; it was almost worse to turn out of it, because then you didn't know what you were turning into."

"When we got out of there, it [the car] was tilted towards the driver's side, and you could see the water coming in...we rolled down the windows immediately because the waters seemed to be coming up real quickly on us," he recounted.

05:20 GMT: A further 50 people have been reported injured during the devastation, with five in a critical condition, according to an Integris Health System spokeswoman.

03:47 GMT: About 80,000 people are now without electricity in Oklahoma, with 65,000 of them in the Oklahoma City area, ABC News reports. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service says no fewer than five tornadoes touched down in the state, and that number is expected to rise.

02:23 GMT: Two more fatalities were reported in a car in Union City and another person, according to KWTV, was found dead in El Reno. This update raises the Oklahoma death toll to five. All victims so far were in cars.

02:20 GMT: Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma has admitted 14 patients, three of them critical, along with the deceased mother and child, CNN reports.

01:14 GMT: A tornado warning has been issued for St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri. Residents are advised to take shelter below ground or evacuate north immediately.

01:07 GMT: As many as six overturned semi-trucks are laying on their side along the I-40 highway near Oklahoma City, reports The Oklahoman.

Current reports indicate 40,000 people are without power, with flash flooding exceeding 5 inches in some areas of Oklahoma City.

00:55 GMT: One of the tornadoes traveled the same route as the devastating funnel that ravaged Moore on May 20, although forecasters stressed the winds were much weaker than the 200 mph gusts that ravaged the area.

00:45 GMT: Another, smaller tornado has been reported in Del City, according to KFOR, where the town's city hall has opened as a public shelter.

00:40 GMT: Oklahoma Highway Patrol is now warning motorists to leave I-40 and flee the area as a storm approaches Oklahoma City.

00:38 GMT: The number of Oklahomans who have lost power as a result of the storms continues to increase, with Michael Knopasek of KWTV reporting over 31,611 are now in the dark. That number is expected to rise as "massive power flashes" have kept the area flickering.

00:28 GMT: At least 22,000 people are now without electricity in Moore and the Oklahoma City metro area as power flashes continue to jolt the area, KFOR reports.

00:23 GMT: One tornado, traveling from the southwest, has increased in speed from 25 mph to 50 mph while another storm has broken 100 mph. Siren warnings are blaring throughout Oklahoma City and Moore, just south of the city limits.

00:19 GMT: “This huge storm could produce a tornado just about anywhere,” said KWTV anchor Gary England, adding that multiple tornadoes had already sprouted in the region Friday.

00:16 GMT: Flash flood warnings were issued for Canadian and Oklahoma County until 11:15 pm local time Friday. At least 12,000 people are without power in Oklahoma City, CNN has confirmed.

Authorities repeatedly warned residents to immediately drive south or take cover underground as the “destructive” tornado vortex was rapidly approaching the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, where heavy fatalities are possible.

Earlier in the day the National Weather Service advised that large hail and wind gusts of 80 miles per hour were possible. Several tornadoes could result, they warned, because of the strength of the initial storm. Storm warnings are in effect until midnight local time, with residents being warned to take cover.

Large sections of Oklahoma City were already without power as the storm approached highway I-35, where stopped rush hour traffic resembled a “parking lot,” according to a KWTV reporter. Meteorologists warned drivers to steer off the roads immediately, or abandon their vehicles if need be.

Residents told KFOR that “baseball-sized hail” was raining down on Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. The station's meteorologist referred to the storm as "violent" Friday evening as coverage continued.

Winds have been strong enough to force vehicles off the road, with The Weather Channel claiming that its Tornado Hunt truck was thrown "200 yards" by the winds.

More than 1,000 people at Will Rogers Airport evacuated into an underground safety tunnel as a precaution.