© Reuters / Gene Blevins
Multiple tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of the state's main commercial airport as a safety precaution. At least one large twister also damaged homes and buildings in the Oklahoma City area.
In addition to severe storms and tornadoes, Oklahoma residents had to contend with power outages, golf-ball-sized hail, and flooding. Even wild animals got loose at one town's Tiger Safari wildlife refuge.
One of the day's largest tornadoes, according to local
CBS affiliate
KWTV, occurred around 4:30 pm local time and resulted in the formation of several satellite twisters. The big storm, whose main tornado measured about a quarter-mile wide, caused damage in Bridge Creek, Blanchard, Norman and Newcastle in the central part of the state.
Less than four hours later, another large tornado sprouted from the same storm near Bridge Creek. A daycare center was reportedly struck, but fortunately all the children and staff had already been moved to a shelter.
Comment: Check out: Homes damaged, airport evacuated in Oklahoma after tornadoes, floods, and severe storms