Strong storm flips over RVs in Oklahoma and leaves 1 person dead

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — A strong storm moved through part of Oklahoma, flipping over several camping vehicles and downing trees and power lines, authorities said. One death was reported.

The city of Pawnee asked residents to stay in their homes as emergency crews identified areas that were hit and worked to restore power following Thursday night’s storm.

“There is a significant amount of damage, several road closures and emergency crews throughout town,” the city posted online late Thursday.

One person died in an RV that flipped, said Pawnee County Sheriff Darrin Varnell. He said others were damaged and people “essentially lost just about everything they own in a matter of seconds.”

The National Weather Service office in Tulsa received reports of 70 mph wind gusts (113 kph) and hail the size of golf balls.

Pawnee Public Schools were closed Friday due to storm damage. Homecoming activities Thursday night were canceled because of the weather.

Pawnee, which has about 1,900 people, is in northeast Oklahoma, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of Tulsa.