Twisters tear through Oklahoma City during rush hour- 14 killed in three states

May 24, 2011 — OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – At least two tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma Tuesday, with one causing an unspecific number of deaths and the other marching toward Oklahoma City, officials said. Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards told CNN a storm that crossed I-40 near El Reno claimed lives, destroyed homes and caused a gas leak at an energy plant. The twister injured motorists on Interstate 40 and U.S. 81, Smith said. Deputies were attending to the injured, and there were reports of property damage in the area. County Emergency Management Director Jerry Smith told CNN the storm moved past Calumet and Edmond, north of the capital. Another tornado was seen at Chickasha, about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The National Weather Service warned residents and I-44 drivers to take precautionary action. This and another tornadic thunderstorm south of Chickasha were moving toward the northeast at 35 miles per hour and will move into populated areas of the Oklahoma City area, including Moore and Norman, in the next hour. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the National Weather Service said. Tornado warnings were issued in Oklahoma County, Canadian County and Grady County, indicating other twisters had touched down. –CNN