Late Tuesday night, intense storm systems swept across Oklahoma, bringing with them severe winds, hail, and the confirmed formation of two tornadoes in Cherokee County. According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, these tornadoes touched down after midnight, one southeast of Salina and the other northwest of Tahlequah, following a dramatic escalation in wind activity over eastern Oklahoma.
Tornado activity confirmed by NWS-Tulsa
During the course of Tuesday night, as many as 17 tornado alerts were issued across the state, affecting areas from Edmond to Acadia, where residents experienced pea-sized hail and sudden gusts. Despite widespread warnings, the central and western portions of the state saw fewer confirmed events — though investigations continue.
The Norman NWS station did not report any verified tornadoes in its jurisdiction, which covers western and central Oklahoma, but preliminary observations suggest possible tornado formation in regions near Fairview, as well as along the Grant-Garfield County line. Teams are expected to conduct surveys throughout the day in Ellis, Major, Garfield, and Grant Counties to determine the extent of any additional tornadic activity.
Storm damage centered around Tulsa and Cherokee County
Damage from the storms was most visible in areas near Baltimore, Cherokee County, and throughout Tulsa County, where high winds led to extensive tree damage. In one reported incident, a tree fell onto a home near 96th Street, reflecting the type of scattered but impactful destruction seen overnight.
Over 20,000 power outages after storm impact
The aftermath of the storms left more than 20,000 residents without power on Wednesday morning, particularly in northern and north-central Oklahoma. While this represents less than 1% of the state’s total population, the outages have added a layer of disruption in already affected regions.
Wednesday weather outlook under monitoring
As of early Wednesday, weather experts are continuing to monitor developing systems while damage assessment teams from the NWS carry out field evaluations. Although no additional tornadoes have yet been confirmed beyond the two in Cherokee County, the potential for undetected nighttime twisters remains a priority in ongoing investigations across the state.
