Tornado Damages Homes and Infrastructure in Oklahoma and Missouri
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A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, damaging at least 40 homes and destroying commercial buildings, but no fatalities were reported. The storm also caused damage in Kearney, Missouri, and Vance Air Force Base was temporarily closed. The National Weather Service warns that more severe storms are possible in the region.
Facts First
- A tornado damaged at least 40 homes in Enid, Oklahoma, with roofs removed and some reduced to rubble.
- No fatalities were reported in Garfield County or Kearney, Missouri, with only minor injuries.
- Commercial buildings south of Enid were destroyed and utility poles were knocked down, closing roads including part of U.S. Interstate 81.
- Vance Air Force Base was closed temporarily due to power and water restoration efforts, but all personnel were accounted for.
- The National Weather Service (NWS) expects more severe thunderstorms to develop Saturday, including in the Enid area.
What Happened
A tornado crossed a highway in Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the tornado moved across parts of Enid, a city of approximately 50,000 people. The tornado damaged at least 40 homes in a rural community, with some roofs removed and others reduced to rubble. Commercial buildings south of Enid were destroyed, consisting of twisted metal, splintered wood, and insulation, and were pushed off their concrete foundations. The tornado knocked down utility poles and left power lines wrapped in debris. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) stated that some roads and part of U.S. Interstate 81 were closed. Enid Mayor David Mason stated on Friday that local police, fire departments, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted multiple home searches and rescued trapped residents. Mayor Mason identified Gray Ridge, a neighborhood on the south side of Enid, as an area where some of the worst damage occurred, including knocked-down homes.
Separately, in Kearney, Missouri, officials reported downed trees, debris blocking roadways, and damage to homes on Thursday night. Fences and some equipment were also knocked down at Vance Air Force Base, located approximately 80 miles north of Oklahoma City. Vance Air Force Base was closed until further notice on Friday due to ongoing power and water restoration efforts.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in or are traveling through Oklahoma or Missouri, your travel may be disrupted. Roads are closed, including part of a major interstate, and crews are working to clear debris to make them passable. You may experience power outages due to downed utility poles and lines. Your safety could be affected by the forecast for more severe storms in the region, which may require you to monitor weather alerts and take precautions. The closure of Vance Air Force Base may affect operations or visits to the base.
What's Next
Crews in Kearney, Missouri, worked to make roads passable by early Friday and were expected to continue cleanup efforts during the day. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman stated that more storms are possible through Friday night across south-central and southeast Oklahoma. The NWS expects strong to severe thunderstorms to develop on Saturday, including in the Enid area. Vance Air Force Base may reopen once power and water restoration efforts are complete.