No injuries, deaths or damage have been reported on OU’s campus after a severe weather storm hit Norman on Tuesday during a tornado outbreak across Oklahoma, according to an OUPD official. The official would not give their name.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for northwestern Cleveland County at about 5:30 p.m., which prompted Norman’s tornado sirens to activate. The storm brought high winds and rain, but the National Weather Research Center would not confirm if a tornado touched down in Norman when contacted because it was currently covering other storms across the state. The Norman Police Department was contacted to assess city damages, but it did not immediately respond to phone calls from The Daily.
There was no immediate, visible damage to the city, but there were pieces of insulation in the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot and near the National Weather Center.
Housing and Food takes care of students
Students, faculty and Norman residents used the basements of Couch and Walker towers to take shelter during Tuesday’s severe weather storm and tornado warning.
Joseph Schmidt, public relations senior, was one of about 50 people who used the basement for safety.
“OU Housing and Food Services did a great job,” Schmidt said. “They let us know in advance when to take shelter, they kept calm, they got everyone together.”
Lena Tenney, history junior, said Housing and Food Services passed out water and provided everyone fans while they waited out the storm.
“Nobody was freaking out,” Tenney said. “Everyone stayed very calm.”
Norman Residents take shelter at Lloyd Noble Center
Christa Wilkerson, a Norman resident for 3 years, said her friends were trying to put new windshield blades on her car when Norman’s tornado sirens started going off. Wilkerson had her pet with her and picked up friends who were sleeping to seek shelter. They found Lloyd Noble Center’s gymnasium open to protect them from the storm.
Once the storm hit, not much happened, Wilkerson said.
“I just heard a lot of hail,” Wilkerson said.
However, Wilkerson’s friend, Shannon Griffin, has only been in Oklahoma since May 1, when she moved from South Carolina. She said her experience with the storm — even though a tornado didn’t hit the center — was different than Wilkerson’s. The whole experience was different, Griffin said.
“I was scared shitless,” Griffin said.
Governor’s office releases statement
Gov. Mary Fallin released a statement Tuesday in regard to the severe weather and tornadoes that damaged parts of Oklahoma.
“It is obvious the State of Oklahoma has experienced a large tornado outbreak today,” Fallin said in a press release. “I know local authorities are doing everything they can to respond to the storm and keep our citizens safe.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those already affected by these storms.”
Fallin also said Oklahomans need to keep themselves informed of severe weather issues and to take necessary precautions.