ADA, Okla. — An EF-1 tornado struck Ada early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025, causing considerable destruction throughout the area. The tornado, which touched down at 5:11 AM, recorded peak wind speeds of 100-105 mph and traveled for 3.7 miles, leaving behind damaged schools, homes, businesses, and other structures.
The National Weather Service preliminary survey indicated the tornado developed on the west side of town near State Highway 1 and Barnes Avenue before moving east-northeast through Ada. It dissipated northeast of East Central University and Arlington Center. Willard Elementary School, located on East Ninth Street near Mississippi Avenue, suffered significant damage to its roof, leading Ada Public Schools to cancel classes for the day. East Central University also closed its campus temporarily due to the storm's aftermath.
Residents awoke to find roofs blown off buildings and debris littering the streets. Many were left scrambling for safety as the powerful storm struck, harming not just infrastructure but also community spirits. "About 5 AM (I) heard sirens. Seen rain," recounted Daniel Wright, a coach at East Central University. "When the sun came up, we saw rooftops hanging off and trashcans flying everywhere." Wright and others quickly rallied to assist their neighbors.
Despite the chaos, Ada’s community spirit shone through as hundreds of college athletes from East Central University took to the streets to help with cleanup efforts. "We just walked around, picked up as much trash as we could and tried to bring smiles to the people in the community," Wright said. Some athletes, familiar with Oklahoma's severe weather, felt the responsibility and privilege to lend their strength and time. Kevin Gooch, one of the athletes, remarked, "Back home, we had a couple bad storms, and we all pitched in. This feels like the Oklahoma Standard we’ve grown up with." Yet, many were new to such weather, as expressed by Quincy Thompson, who said, "I’m not used to tornadoes or super crazy weather like this, so it was different to see it, but it feels good to be able to help and take care of the trash to make the community look a little bit cleaner and show them support."
While residents began the massive cleanup, Ada officials reported one injury and noted 24 families were displaced due to the tornado's impact. A command center was established at the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex to provide resources to those affected and assist with recovery. Local businesses also joined efforts to help their neighbors, many boarding up windows and clearing debris from their properties.
Videos taken shortly after the storm revealed the extent of the damage, showcasing the destruction of mobile homes on County Road 1550. Search and rescue teams scoured the wreckage to confirm no one remained trapped. Fortunately, initial reports indicated no residents were found amid the debris, which offered some relief to emergency responders. Michael Armstrong, KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist, noted widespread power outages across Ada as numerous utility poles and trees succumbed to the storm's fury.
The tornado left Ada grappling with the reality of rebuilding and recovering from the unforeseen disaster. The coming days and weeks will challenge the community, but the unity shown during the cleanup efforts highlights Ada's resilience. Through all the devastation, volunteers have emerged, determined to uplift their community. Daniel Wright encapsulated this sentiment, stating, "It's not about us. This is an opportunity to come together, rebuild and shape through this devastation."
While the destruction caused by the EF-1 tornado may seem extensive, it has also revealed the heartfelt dedication of the people of Ada. Their collective action reinforces the bonds within the community, enabling them to face the challenges of recovery together with hope and determination.