Tulsa, Oklahoma – Parts of eastern Oklahoma remain under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Tuesday, with wind gusts up to 70 mph and the risk of hail and structural damage prompting urgent safety measures.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, the watch has been canceled for McIntosh and Pittsburg counties but now includes Crawford County. The alert still covers key areas such as Muskogee, Fort Smith, Okmulgee, Poteau, and Hugo, where a few tornadoes are possible through the afternoon.
Residents in the watch zone should stay weather-aware, especially along I-40 and U.S. Route 69, as conditions may worsen rapidly. Emergency officials urge everyone to have multiple ways to receive warnings and a shelter plan ready. Tree and property damage remain a high concern, particularly in rural communities where power lines are more vulnerable.
This severe weather marks one of the more intense spring systems to impact the state this season. It follows weeks of scattered storms and heavy rain in the region.
Tornado watch conditions are expected to lift after 5 p.m., but additional watches or warnings may follow if storms redevelop this evening. Stay tuned to local alerts and NOAA weather radios for real-time updates.
