Powerful tornadoes tore across Oklahomalate Thursday, April 23, into early Friday, injuring at least 10 people, damaging homes and knocking out utilities as a widespread storm system moved across the Central Plains.
The severe weather was part of a larger system that stretched across the region, triggering dozens of tornado warnings. Warnings and watches were issued across Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska as storms intensified and tracked northeast.
In addition to tornadoes, the system produced large hail, damaging winds and frequent lightning.
The outbreak comes during a volatile spring pattern that has brought back-to-back rounds of severe thunderstorms since late March, including hail, high winds and tornadoes.
For Oklahoma, tornado activity began in January 2026 with an unusually active month that set a record for the most tornadoes ever documented in January in the state, according to the Oklahoman.
Damage assessments were ongoing on April 24, with officials urging residents in impacted areas to avoid debris fields and remain alert as the storm system continued moving through the region.
Vance Air Force Base reopened
Due to the storms, officials had shut down operations at Vance Air Force Base – the Air Force’s fourth-largest training installation in the nation by operations – on April 24 after storms caused extensive damage in the surrounding area.
The Air Force’s busy training airfield was reopened after crews worked to restore water and power.
“As of 10:30 this morning, power has been fully restored across Vance AFB. Restoration efforts are underway and the installation is now open to all base personnel,” base officials said in a statement posted to social media.
According to the base’s official Facebook page, all personnel are accounted for.
USAToday
