At least 16 tornadoes touched down in America’s heartland with the worst damage reported in Oklahoma
At least 16 tornadoes devastated the interior of America, with Oklahoma taking the brunt — as heavier weather looms over the Great Plains and South.
Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana and Louisiana were battered by bad weather Thursday night, while it wreaked havoc in the Midwest.
The worst damage was in Noble, Oklahoma — about 30 miles outside of Oklahoma City — where four businesses and homes were affected by the storm.
In Weskan, Kansas, a multi-vortex tornado tore off part of a school roof, while also damaging stadium bleachers, a scoreboard and more.
A large tornado is seen Thursday night in Cole, Oklahoma
Several twisters were spotted inland, including in Wallace, Kansas (left) and Akron, Colorado (right)
Earlier this week, a funnel cloud rolled over the mountains in Mountain (pictured), while at least 16 tornadoes swept through the Great Plains and the South on Thursday. The area also saw numerous other twisters across the Great Plains and the South earlier this week
Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana were battered by bad weather Thursday night and at least 16 terrifying tornadoes as bad weather rolls through the heart of the country
“When we left the shelter – it was in the main gym – I saw a waterfall [as] the roof was quite damaged and water was coming in from the rain,” said Weskan Schools Principal Jeff Montero KWCH.
“And as we walked through the building, we saw broken glass. And then upstairs, my office and a few other offices and classrooms and stuff, you can look up and see the sky.’
Weskan Schools was only three days away from the end of the year and had prepared the alum-funded grandstands for their graduation ceremony.
The $75,000 bleachers were only on the school for a week and a half before the twister mutilated the building.
At the end of the day, however, Montero was “just glad no one got hurt.”
“I was really worried about the kids when I was down there, trying to keep them safe, keep them calm and make sure they didn’t freak out,” he said.
Other tornadoes also touched down in McDonald, Grove County and Edson in Kansas, according to Battery weather.
In Colorado, many short-lived tornadoes were spotted bouncing around near Arapahoe County – near Denver. More tornadoes were also seen in Nebraska.
Outside of the twisters, the Great Plains suffered heavy rains and hail, with some areas receiving an average of two months of rain in two days.
Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park in Colorado received about 10 inches on Tuesday, damaging several roads, with huge holes and cracks in the asphalt.
In Weskan, Kansas, a multi-vortex tornado tore off part of a school roof while also damaging stadium bleachers, a scoreboard and more
Weskan Schools was only three days away from the end of the year and had prepared the alum-funded grandstands for their graduation ceremony. The $75,000 bleachers were only on the school for a week and a half before the twister mutilated the building
A tree appeared to block a Kansas roadway after one of the twisters (pictured)
Two people in Oklahoma nervously look out the door after the storm in Noble. The worst damage was in Noble — about 30 miles outside of Oklahoma City — where four businesses and homes were affected by the storm
Denver International Airport received just over four inches of rain between Wednesday and Friday, which is above average for the area.
More severe weather is expected to hit the center of the country on Friday, with large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes.
Kansas City, Des Moines and Omaha all have the highest hail and tornado threats, according to Good morning America (ALG).
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City, Dallas and San Antonio pose the greatest threats from damaging winds.
Flash flooding can also be a major problem from Wyoming to Texas and warnings have already been sent to residents. Some areas in Texas could receive up to 4 inches of rain in the coming days, the National Weather Service predicted.