Tornado Devastates Oklahoma City, Shuts Down Air Force Base

A powerful tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, damaging homes, knocking down power poles, and forcing the closure of Vance Air Force Base. The confirmed tornado moved across parts of Enid, a city of about 50,000 people near the state’s northern border, according to the National Weather Service. Videos posted online showed a rapidly rotating column of air touching down, along with totaled homes. There were no immediate reports of fatalities, and only minor injuries were reported hours after the tornado passed through, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. Authorities conducted door-to-door checks in some neighborhoods to ensure residents' safety. The Enid Police Department reported early accounts of people trapped in homes and extensive damage. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management confirmed that some homes were destroyed. Vance Air Force Base announced it would remain closed "until further notice" due to ongoing power and water restoration efforts. The base stated that only mission-essential personnel required to support critical operations and restoration of base utilities should report for duty. All other personnel were advised to stay home and monitor official base communication channels for updates. Earlier, the base noted that the extent of the tornado's damage was not immediately clear, and officials were conducting accountability procedures to ensure all personnel were safe and accounted for. The Oakwood Christian Church in Enid opened its doors Thursday night to act as a shelter for those affected by the tornado. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt urged residents to pray for the Enid community, which he described as severely impacted by the tornado.