At least 1 person killed, others hurt in Oklahoma tornadoes
TULSA, Okla. -- The slow start to the nation's tornado season came to a blustery end Wednesday when tornadoes hit Oklahoma, including one that raked Tulsa and its suburbs during the evening rush hour.
A spokesperson for the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency confirmed to CBS News that at least one person in Tulsa County was killed and several other people injured. CBS News affiliate KOTV in Tulsa reported a number of mobile home parks in and around the city were largely destroyed.
The first tornado touched down near Keystone Lake in northeast Oklahoma around 5:30 p.m. Central Time and moved east into Sand Springs and West Tulsa. The twister, estimated to be about a half-mile wide, damaged several buildings and flipped over cars.
According to KOTV, a gymnastics center in Sand Springs was destroyed, but all 60 people who were inside at the time managed to get out safely.
Other tornadoes were spotted near the OKC Fairgrounds and in Moore, Oklahoma, according to CBS affiliate KWTV in Oklahoma City.
In May 2013, 24 people died when a top-of-the-scale EF5 tornado struck Moore.
Close to 30,000 people lost power in Osage and Tulsa Counties while about 35,000 customers in the Oklahoma City area had no electricity.
Hail as large as baseballs fell in several communities along with drenching rain. Forecasters warned about the possibility of flash floods.
The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings and flood advisories in much of the state.