As dawn broke on January 8, 2026, Oklahomans found themselves bracing for a rare and dangerous weather event: multiple tornado warnings swept across central and southern regions of the state, disrupting the morning rush and leaving behind a trail of damage, anxiety, and, for some, relief. Though tornadoes are not unheard of in Oklahoma, January twisters are certainly out of the ordinary, and this outbreak marked the first confirmed tornadoes in the United States for the new year, according to KOCO 5 and the National Weather Service.
The day began with a tornado warning issued for Hughes County until 9 a.m., as reported by KOKH. At 8:40 a.m., meteorologists tracked a severe thunderstorm near Yeager, moving northeast at a staggering 70 mph—fast enough to give anyone pause. This system was just one piece of a larger line of storms barreling through the Oklahoma City metro area, catching many residents as they were heading to work or dropping kids off at school. The timing could hardly have been worse: torrential downpours, hail, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning added to the chaos, making for a hectic and nerve-wracking commute.
By the time the storms had moved eastward, at least five tornado warnings had been issued across central and southern Oklahoma. According to KOCO 5, several of these warnings affected Cleveland County, while others extended to southeastern Lincoln, northeastern Pottawatomie, northwestern Pottawatomie, northern Washington, northern Nowata, and east-central Osage counties. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado on the ground in northwestern Pottawatomie County, while radar indicated possible tornadoes in several other locations.
Purcell, a city just south of Oklahoma City, bore the brunt of one tornado’s wrath. KOCO 5’s crews arrived on the scene to find a newly developed neighborhood with visible scars: fences splintered, tree limbs scattered across lawns, and, in one case, a house with its garage torn from the foundation and its roof ripped away. The damage path was clear, but, as one reporter noted, "It’s not significant, like where I’m seeing houses destroyed, but there’s fence damage and there’s a bunch of tree limbs that are down all over in this yard. In this area, I’ve got emergency vehicles just kind of parking right in front of us right here as well. So this is the damage path right here in Purcell."
Chase Rutledge, piloting Sky Five—the only news helicopter in the air that morning—provided aerial views of the aftermath. "This is the more significant amount of damage right here," Rutledge observed, noting that the east side of Purcell appeared to have been spared the worst. As the day wore on, KOCO reporter Meghan Mosley spoke with neighbors who had rushed to help the hardest-hit homeowners, who had only lived in their now-damaged house for four months. "They brought suitcases to them to help them, you know, gather things that they’re able to salvage out of this home," Mosley reported. The homeowners, understandably shaken, declined to speak on camera.
Despite the destruction, there was a sense of gratitude in Purcell. A local high school baseball player described sheltering in place as the tornado touched down, but, as Mosley emphasized, "Thankful, there were no reported injuries there. And we also know that there are no other reported injuries here in Purcell. So that is the good news today." Still, the tornado left part of the city without power after knocking down utility poles, and KOCO 5 documented damage to multiple structures, downed trees, and even a semi-trailer overturned along Interstate 35. The McClain County emergency manager confirmed these disruptions, underscoring the storm’s impact on daily life.
Elsewhere across the region, the severe weather threat moved steadily eastward. By 9:30 a.m., all tornado warnings had expired, but tornado watches persisted until noon for a swath of eastern Oklahoma counties, including Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Haskell, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner, and Washington, as reported by the National Weather Service and summarized in The Oklahoman’s live updates. The threat had ended around 8:20 a.m. for Stillwater, Wellston, Shawnee, and Tecumseh, though Prague and Wewoka remained on alert for a time.
January tornadoes may be rare in Oklahoma, but they are not unprecedented. The National Weather Service pointed out that the earliest tornadoes on record for the state occurred on January 2, 2023, when an EF0 tornado traveled 5.3 miles in Mayes County with wind gusts up to 81 mph, followed an hour later by two EF1 tornadoes in McIntosh and Ottawa counties. Still, Thursday’s events stand out, both for their timing and their disruptive effects on communities unaccustomed to such threats this early in the year.
In the wake of the storms, many residents sought guidance on how to stay safe during tornadoes. The National Weather Service’s advice is straightforward but vital: "Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety. Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. Avoid windows." For those caught on the road, the agency warns against trying to outrun a tornado. Instead, drivers should seek shelter in a sturdy building or, as a last resort, lie flat in a ditch or culvert and cover their heads.
The difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is crucial, especially when seconds count. A tornado warning signals that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar—meaning imminent danger to life and property. Those in the warning area are urged to take cover immediately. A tornado watch, on the other hand, means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form, and residents should have a plan in place and be ready to act quickly.
Throughout the ordeal, local meteorologists played a critical role in keeping residents informed and safe. The KOCO 5 First Alert Weather Team, led by Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane, has been certified by WeatheRate as providing the Most Accurate Forecast in Oklahoma City for 13 consecutive years—a point of pride for the station and a comfort to viewers relying on timely, precise information during dangerous weather events.
As the skies cleared and residents began the work of recovery—salvaging belongings, clearing debris, and checking on neighbors—the story of January 8, 2026, became one of resilience and community. Though homes and property were damaged and power was lost in places like Purcell, the absence of reported injuries was a testament to the value of preparation, quick action, and the vigilance of Oklahoma’s forecasting teams. For many, it was a morning they won’t soon forget.
