Midwest City/Choctaw Tornado (4/27/2024) - Update 2
EF1 Tornado Damages Portions of East Midwest City
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, a severe storm left a path of damage in east Midwest City that stretched from SE 29th St. at Westminster Rd., northeast to Reno and Hiwassee Rd. Electrical infrastructure and homes were damaged in SE Oklahoma City, Midwest City and Choctaw along the storm’s path.
Dubbed the Midwest City/Choctaw Tornado, the storm has now been classified as an EF1 tornado. Peak winds during the storm were measured at 90-95 miles per hour. The path has been measured at 6 miles in length and its max width was measured at 150 yards. Despite the severity of the storm, no injuries have been attributed to the portions that struck Midwest City.
At the time of this update, 25 tornadoes ranging from EF0 to EF4 were confirmed in Oklahoma for April 27, 2024. The National Weather Service forecasted a PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation), stating that severe weather conditions could create extreme or life-threatening situations. NWS issued 62 tornado warnings for the day, a record amount.
As emergency management personnel continue to assess the damage, Midwest City wants to make residents aware of the following:
DAMAGE REPORTING:
- For those who have received damage from the storms, even outside of the direct path of the tornado, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management wants you to report it at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.
DAMAGE REPAIRS:
- To prevent scamming, Midwest City residents should use only licensed and insured contractors. This will help to ensure that the project gets done and with proper permits (if needed).
DISASTER STRESS HELPLINE:
- Even if you haven’t been directly impacted, you may notice that you are having difficulty concentrating or trouble sleeping. Call or text the National Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-895-5590 to talk with trained counselors.
TRASH & RECYLING SERVICES:
- Midwest City trash and Republic recycling services are operating as scheduled in the areas damaged by the storms.
STORM DEBRIS:
- Midwest City has existing services that can be utilized to deal with storm debris. These services include our Compost Facility, Quarterly Bulk Waste Collection, Special Pickups and the East Oak Landfill.
- Quarterly Bulk Waste Collection is the most convenient for residents dealing with storm debris on their property. The zones damaged the most during the tornado were 10, 11 and 12. Residents in these zones have their next scheduled pick-up in June, giving them plenty of time to manage the debris. Visit the Quarterly Bulk Waste page at midwestcityok.org for information on the program.
- Midwest City’s Compost Facility gives our residents a free, nearby location to drop damaged tree limbs or vegetative debris. The Compost Facility is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and is located at 7420 NE 36th St. More details can be found on our Compost Facility page at midwestcityok.org. Proof of residency is required.
- Special Pickups can be requested by Midwest City residents, but they are not a free option. Special Pickups can be arranged for a fee of $55 per 1/2 hour (minimum charge of $55). Brush should be no longer than 8 feet and 20 inches in diameter. Other rules and restrictions apply. Visit our Special Bulk Waste Pickup page at midwestcityok.org for details.
- East Oak Landfill access is also available to Midwest City residents, but not for free. Residents are charged the City’s discounted rate depending on the size of the load. To get the discounted rate, proof of residency is required. See our East Oak Landfill page at midwestcityok.org for details.
Midwest City asks that our residents continue to stay aware of severe weather threats throughout the spring season. Our Midwest City Emergency Management pages on social are great resources to stay weather aware before storms occur.
Follow the City of Midwest City on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
Follow Midwest City Emergency Management on Facebook and Nextdoor.
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