A tornado has touched down in Southwestern Oklahoma, near Granite, a town with a population of about 1,600, as reported by ABC News.
Tornado warnings were issued across Western Oklahoma, set to last until 5:30 a.m. CST on Monday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has detected thunderstorms in the area capable of producing tornadoes.
Fourteen counties have been placed on high alert: Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, McClain, Oklahoma, Carter, Garvin, Jefferson, Love, Murray, Stephens, Caddo, Comanche, and Cotton.
The NWS website urges Oklahomans in these areas to “TAKE COVER NOW!”
Residents are advised to move to a storm shelter, safe room, or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. They should avoid windows, and if outside, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, they are urged to seek substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris.
The NWS has also warned of “golf ball” sized hail and potential damage to mobile homes, roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Additionally, the NWS station in Norman, Oklahoma, warned of “localized heavy rainfall/flash flooding” and tornadoes.
According to PowerOutage.us, only one person is without power in Greer County, where Granite is located.
Oklahoma lies in the heart of ‘Tornado Alley,’ where tornadoes are common due to the area’s unique weather patterns involving warm air, thunderstorms, and air mass interaction.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski explained that dry air from the Mexican Plateau mixes with moist Gulf of Mexico air to form thunderstorms, which can develop into tornadoes.
The region’s vulnerability is heightened by the natural flow of air from the Rocky Mountains, creating counter-clockwise spinning conditions that can generate tornadoes.
In Texas, counties such as Archer, Clay, and Wichita are also under a tornado watch this morning.
Oklahoma has already experienced significant tornado damage this month. On November 3, the Oklahoma Police Department (OKPD) reported major damage to parts of Oklahoma City after severe storms and tornadoes. Many residents needed assistance evacuating their severely damaged homes.
Following the earlier storms, 55,000 people lost power, and the Red Cross opened shelters to support those displaced or without electricity.
