Photos: Violent tornado rated as EF-4 that tore through Enid, Oklahoma, unleashing devastating damage
On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service announced the tornado was rated an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
Destructive EF-4 Tornado Confirmed in Oklahoma
:rotating_light:DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION: The monster tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma has been officially rated as an EF-4. Stay with FOX Weather for the latest tracking more severe weather all weekend long. #Oklahoma #Tornado #Damage #History #FOXweather
ENID, Okla. – A powerful EF-4 tornado tore through the city of Enid in north-central Oklahoma on Thursday night, devastating the Gray Ridge neighborhood and triggering a massive search and rescue response.
WHAT IS A 'TORNADO EMERGENCY'?
Both city and Garfield County officials confirmed Friday that the powerful twister caused only non-life-threatening injuries.
On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service announced the tornado was rated an EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
Tornado survey track Enid, Oklahoma, EF-4.
(FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this is the first EF-4 tornado of 2026, and the first EF-4 in Garfield County, Oklahoma, since April 26, 1991.
This is the first EF-4 tornado in Oklahoma since 2024, when two EF-4 tornadoes were reported in Marietta-Lake Murray on April 27, 2024, and Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma on May 6, 2024.
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 1 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 2 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 3 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 4 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 5 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
![First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma.]()
Image 6 of 12First light on Friday, April 24, 2026, reveals the extent of damage from a powerful tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma. (FOX Weather)
![Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026.]()
Image 7 of 12Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026. (KOKH)
![Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026.]()
Image 8 of 12Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026. (KOKH)
![Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026.]()
Image 9 of 12Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026. (KOKH)
![Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026.]()
Image 10 of 12Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026. (KOKH)
![Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026.]()
Image 11 of 12Damage in Enid, Oklahoma, after a tornado ripped through the city just before 8:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026. (KOKH)
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Image 12 of 12Damage to a farm in Enid, Oklahoma. (Jarrod Maloney)
Nearby Vance Air Force Base reopened Friday morning, and confirmed that no one was hurt on the base. Air Force base officials said Friday morning they were still conducting damage assessments.
Watch: Massive stovepipe tornado blasts area next to Vance Air Force Base
Massive stovepipe tornado blasts Vance Air Force Base on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Vance Air Force Base announced early Friday that it will remain closed until further notice, as crews work to restore power and water. Officials have not yet released details on the extent of any other damage or injuries at the base.
At 8:22 p.m. CDT, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a Tornado Emergency for Southeast Enid as a "confirmed large and destructive tornado" was located near Vance Air Force Base.
Local officials confirmed damage on Enid’s southern side, especially noting the Gray Ridge area. After the tornado swept through, officials reported residents trapped in homes and storm shelters.
Enid Mayor David Mason told FOX Weather on Friday that at least 40 homes were damaged in the Grey Ridge area.
A violent tornado was reported in Enid, Oklahoma on Thursday evening.
(Amanda Herrera / FOX Weather)
Mayor Mason said homeowners in the Gray Ridge area have been allowed to return to their houses to salvage and assess damage.
"I am very grateful to report that while homes have sustained significant damage, there have been no fatalities and only minor injuries sustained," Mason said.
Watch: Large tornado forms over Enid, Oklahoma
A powerful tornado slammed Enid, Oklahoma on Thursday. Officials say there are reports of injuries and residents trapped in homes and shelters.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, FOX Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier and the FOX Weather Beast Crew were positioned just outside Enid, where a steady stream of emergency crews moved into the city to support the immediate recovery effort.
"I saw a violent video of that active, violent stove-pipe tornado, and it was fairly stationary for a good bit. That tornado held on for as long as it could," Meier said.
WHERE IS TORNADO ALLEY? EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE AMERICAN TWISTER HOTBED
After viewing the impact of the tornado, Meier noted on Friday that NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Enid under a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms for Saturday — emphasizing the importance of cleaning up debris before the next storm.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is touring the damage today.
Amid this prolonged stretch of severe weather expected to impact the Plains through the weekend, Gov. Stitt shared a message of solidarity.
SEVERE WEATHER EXTENDS INTO THE WEEKEND AS MILLIONS BRACE FOR 'MARATHON' THREAT
"Please join me in praying for the Enid community, which has been severely impacted by tonight’s tornado," Gov. Stitt wrote on X, "I have spoken with Enid’s local leaders and will continue working with them as they assess the damage and identify needs."
"My prayers are with everyone on Vance Air Force Base and the surrounding neighborhood, and I am asking God to bring healing and comfort in the days ahead."
SEVERE WEATHER HQ🌪️: FOX Weather Storm Trackers Intercept Two Tornadoes at Once
SEVERE WEATHER HQ 🌪️: Storms are erupting across Oklahoma as FOX Weather Storm Trackers Brandon Copic and Corey Gerken race into the heart of the chaos, tracking dangerous severe weather in real time. Then, in a jaw-dropping moment, both storm trackers intercept on-going tornadoes at the same time, in different parts of Oklahoma.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.