Late Friday evening, a fast-hitting tornado dropped down near Ponca City and tore through the stretch between Ponca City and McCord, ripping up large trees, crushing at least two vehicles and cutting power to many homes, officials said. Emergency crews reported no injuries and spent the night and early morning clearing roads and checking on houses as daylight gave them a better look at the damage. The hardest-hit area sat along Highway 60 east of the Osage Casino, where a massive fallen tree left behind a root ball roughly six feet tall and pinned two cars under its branches. Several residents north of that spot also reported smelling gas, which brought out utility and fire crews to investigate a possible leak.
According to KOCO, reporter Jason Burger visited a property off Highway 60 where those uprooted trees and crushed vehicles were found. The homeowner there was not hurt. Ponca City Emergency Management told KOCO there were "No reported injuries" and that power outages were the main concern in the immediate aftermath. Reports of a gas leak north of the damaged area also surfaced early on and remain under investigation as crews continue their checks.
Local tornado history
The Ponca City area is no stranger to severe weather. The National Weather Service database shows tornado reports in Kay County and Ponca City stretching back more than a century, a reminder that even quick, short-track twisters can cause real trouble in northern Oklahoma. Past county records list multiple confirmed tornadoes throughout the 20th century, which is why local emergency officials move fast any time a touchdown is confirmed.
Power outages and hazards
Ponca City Emergency Management told KOCO that many homes off Highway 60 were still without electricity as crews worked to repair damaged lines. Fire and utility teams are continuing to look into the reported gas leak and have urged residents to steer clear of the area until everything is secured. Drivers are being asked to give emergency responders plenty of room to work and to report any downed power lines or other hazards to local authorities.
Safety and next steps
Residents are urged to avoid downed trees and power lines and to report gas odors, fallen wires or other emergencies to 911 and their utility provider. The National Weather Service and federal guidance advise sheltering in an interior, windowless room during severe storms and waiting for official clearance before returning to damaged properties. For the latest information, locals should follow Ponca City emergency channels and local media as crews wrap up damage assessments and restore service.
