Injuries, structural damage reported as tornadoes spin through Oklahoma

A massive tornado has flattened homes and caused extensive damage as long-track tornadoes moved across northern Oklahoma, Hearst sister station KOCO reported.Tornadoes have damaged parts of northern Oklahoma as severe storms fired off Thursday. Damage has been reported around the Enid area in Garfield County as tornadoes tore through. Video above: The moment “twin tornadoes” formed in northern Oklahoma KOCO’s storm chasers reported that structures were hit as a large tornado moved near Vance Air Force Base in Garfield County. Other homes and buildings in the area are also being impacted. Debris covered the area as the tornado ravaged it.Video below: ‘As bad as it gets’: Violent tornado destroys homes near EnidSearch and rescue underwayEmergency crews are conducting search and rescue operations in Garfield County after a tornado caused significant damage, including heavily impacting the Gray Ridge neighborhood in the Enid area.Garfield County Sheriff Cory Rink said the efforts are focused on the southern end of Enid. Agencies from surrounding counties were assisting with the efforts.Mike Honigsberg, with the city of Enid, said that Gray Ridge on the south side of Enid has been leveled.He said it may not be until Friday before they know the extent of the damage.The sheriff said people were trapped in houses and maybe even some vehicles.Emergency crews are going door to door in the hardest-hit areas, checking on residents and searching for anyone trapped in debris.Reported injuriesThe Garfield County emergency manager has reported at least 10 people were injured in the Gray Ridge neighborhood area in Enid. He said that they had minor injuries.No fatalities were reported as of 10:30 p.m.Honigsberg said he was aware of injuries with the storms but was unsure how many and how badly people were injured.Enid Mayor David Mason said some residents have been rescued from impacted areas.Mason said so far, everyone had been accounted for during Thursday night’s searches and that currently only minor injuries had been reported.Once crews clear an area, there are crews with heavy equipment to help clear the tornado-damaged areas of debris.Damage reports in Enid areaThe Garfield County sheriff reported that several homes were hit by the tornado. The Gray Ridge neighborhood has been reported as one of the hardest-hit areas.”I do know I’m hearing it’s heavily damaged. I have not personally seen it yet. We’re operating out of the command center here at the sheriff’s office right now. But I do know it’s heavily damaged right now. So we’ve got a lot of crews out there in that area,” Rink said.Video below: Homes flattened by violent tornado south of EnidVance Air Force Base was hit, but Rink said that officials told him no one on base was injured. The Enid mayor told KOCO that Vance Air Force Base sustained minor damage.”We were told by someone from Vance Air Force Base that they’re all OK out there, but they’re assessing the damage out there, too,” Rink said.Sheriff Rink urged the public to stay clear of the affected areas to allow emergency crews to work efficiently.Power lines were knocked down across Highway 81, going back to the east.Assistance from the stateMason said he’s been in touch with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who said he wanted an update on the storm damage.Stitt said he would send anything the city needed after the damage.”Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado. I have spoken with Enid’s local leaders and will continue working with them as they assess the damage and identify needs,” Stitt said. “My prayers are with everyone on Vance Air Force Base and the surrounding neighborhood, and I am asking God to bring healing and comfort in the days ahead. As storms continue to move across Oklahoma tonight, I urge everyone to stay weather aware, follow local warnings, and take shelter immediately when directed.”A number of other state officials and lawmakers have reached out to talk with Mason after storms tracked through.Shelter for tornado victimsCrews with the Enid Public Transportation are shuttling people from damaged areas to an overnight shelter Thursday night.The shuttles were headed to the hardest hit areas of the city.Video below: Hail larger than baseballs falls in northern Oklahoma amid tornado warningThis is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.