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Tornadoes Injure at Least 11 People in Oklahoma
A series of tornadoes have caused major devastation throughout parts of Oklahoma.
Tornado-spawning thunderstorms swept through in the early hours of Sunday morning, Nov. 3. There are currently no reported fatalities, but 11 people have been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Oklahoma City officials.
While the extreme weather conditions affected multiple parts of the state, as well as parts of Texas, the Associated Press reported that the storms hit hardest in and around Oklahoma City.
“I was awake, and I heard it pick up very quickly,” resident Justin Cue told CNN of the tornado that swept through his neighborhood.
“Debris started hitting the house, and after a few seconds my window blew out and then all you could hear was the roar of the wind and the ripping wood and glass shattering,” Cue continued, sharing that he was left with scrapes and cuts from shattered glass.
Cue also said his father was hit when their roof collapsed. “He was unconscious for a brief time, and we weren’t sure he was okay,” he told CNN.
Emergency workers rescued two adults trapped in an overturned mobile home, including a woman injured from a falling air conditioner, a representative from the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OCFD) told AP.
The OCFD also shared in a statement on Facebook that firefighters responded to several people stranded in their cars “due to flash flooding conditions.”
The severe weather also caused “extensive damage” to homes and businesses, as well as trees, power lines and road signs, according to the OCFD’s statement.
Oklahoma City officials currently estimate that at least 54 structures sustained minor damage, 43 structures incurred major damage and 39 structures have been completely destroyed.
Thousands of Oklahoma and Texas residents are currently without power, according to Poweroutage.us. Additionally, on Sunday night, the National Weather Service issued continued tornado warnings for parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
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For anyone interested in helping those affected by the storms, Oklahoma City officials advised that cash donations to relief organizations are more effective than donated items.
“Cash allows relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it,” officials said.
PEOPLE reached out to the OCFD for a statement but did not immediately receive a response.