A radar-confirmed tornado tore through Purcell, Oklahoma, crossing Interstate 35 and causing significant utility damage Thursday morning as a fierce line of thunderstorms swept across the Southern Plains.
While the Purcell Police Department confirmed that the city’s western areas sustained damage, there were fortunately no injuries reported. (RELATED: United States Sees 8-Year High For Lightning Strikes In 2025)
The regional threat remains active, with the NOAA Weather Prediction Center maintaining a Level 2 severe thunderstorm risk for the corridor between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. This alert includes the possibility of additional tornadic activity as the system continues to move through the area.
Purcell Police Chief Bobby Elmore noted that the storm tracked northeast, toppling power lines and light poles around 7:30 a.m. local time. This resulted in several confirmed gas leaks and widespread electricity failures throughout the community.
🌪️CONFIRMED TORNADO: A tornado has been confirmed just northeast of Purcell, Oklahoma. Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been posted across parts of Central Oklahoma. Track the powerful line of storms with FOX Weather live all day: https://t.co/qIulCb6KXZ pic.twitter.com/fGeKWTj5Xf
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) January 8, 2026
A semi-truck flipped over on I-35.
Elmore said that the city of Stillwater issued mutual aid to Purcell.
Visuals captured by storm chasers depicted the aftermath, showing residential areas mainly littered with downed tree branches, though some houses did suffer damage. (RELATED: Multiple Storms Could Blast Cascade Mountains With Potentially 2-4 Feet Of Snow)
A tornado watch had remained active for sections of Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas until 12 p.m. CT.
Severe conditions could potentially persist throughout Thursday across the Mississippi River Valley, stretching from St. Louis, Missouri down to Monroe, Louisiana. These turbulent conditions are the result of a cold front preceding a massive cross-country system, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall to millions of residents across the Midwest, Plains and Mississippi Valley.