Severe storm overturns RVs in Oklahoma, killing one

PAWNEE, Oklahoma — A powerful storm tore through parts of Oklahoma, overturning several RVs and downing trees and power lines, authorities said. One death was reported.

Early Friday, the city of Pawnee asked residents to move around the area with caution and said several areas were still without power.

“Crews worked through the night and are still on scene,” the city said.

The city had previously reported that damage from Thursday night’s storm was extensive around the city, with several roads closed. The National Weather Service office in Tulsa received reports of wind gusts up to 72 mph (116 km/h) and golf-ball-sized hail.

One person died in a motor home that overturned, Pawnee County Sheriff Darrin Varnell said. He added that other people suffered damage and that people “nearly lost everything they owned in a matter of seconds.”

“Right now we’re not sure if this is damage from high winds or a tornado,” meteorologist Mark Plate of the Tulsa office said Friday morning. “We’re going to have to send survey teams out today to assess the damage.”

Pawnee Public Schools were closed Friday due to storm damage. Back-to-school activities Thursday night were canceled due to the weather.

Pawnee, population about 1,900, is located in northeastern Oklahoma, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of Tulsa.