A destructive tornado struck Vance Air Force Base and southern Enid on Thursday evening, April 23, 2026, damaging homes and businesses as severe storms moved across northern Oklahoma. The National Weather Service documented EF4 damage during surveys the following day.
The accompanying view, looking north from Bison, captures the tornado from south of the affected area.
Preliminary National Weather Service records placed the tornado on the ground from approximately 8:11 to 8:48 p.m. Its path stretched roughly 10 miles, from southwest of Vance Air Force Base to east-southeast of Enid.
The Associated Press reported that at least 40 homes were damaged, with some knocked off their foundations. Commercial buildings and utility infrastructure also sustained damage. No deaths were reported, and reported injuries were described as minor.
Emergency crews searched homes and rescued trapped residents. At Vance Air Force Base, officials reported damage to fencing and equipment, but all personnel were accounted for. The base temporarily closed while crews worked to restore power and water.
The Enid tornado was part of a broader severe weather outbreak that also produced tornadoes in Grant and Kay counties, along with large hail and damaging winds across northern Oklahoma.
This is a view of the tornado looking north from Bison. Photo by Jack Quirk
A view from Waukomis as it crosses Woodring Airport.
Photos from KOCO Sky 5