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By Gabe Whisnant
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The roof of Northeastern Health System hospital in Sallisaw, Oklahoma was torn off Tuesday as severe storms swept through eastern Oklahoma and northern and central Arkansas.
Brad Taylor with Sequoyah County Emergency Management told Oklahoma City's 5 News that the roof was partially ripped away and nine patients were moved to other facilities. The storm left widespread damage across Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, where more than 4,000 homes and businesses were without electricity as of early Tuesday evening.
Multiple counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma are under a tornado watch through 10 p.m. CDT Tuesday. The watch covers 13 counties in Arkansas, along with nine counties in Oklahoma.
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“All available crews are being dispatched to restore services,” the City of Sallisaw said in a statement, noting that numerous trees, power poles and lines were down. City Manager Brian Heverly said the storm struck shortly before 5 p.m.
No injuries have been reported in the region as of 6:40 p.m. local time.
Meteorologists warn residents to be alert to the possibility of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts as storms roll in. Officials urge people to secure outdoor objects, review safety plans, and monitor updates from the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS says the potential exposure of the storms could impact more than 2.4 million people. There are 878 schools and 80 hospitals in Arkansas and Oklahoma under a tornado watch.
Arkansas, Oklahoma in 'Tornado Alley': What to Know
Tornado activity is a recurring threat in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, a region that sits on the southern edge of “Tornado Alley.” Spring and early fall often bring the strongest storms, when warm, moist Gulf air collides with cooler systems sweeping in from the Plains. Communities from Muskogee and McAlester in Oklahoma to Fort Smith and Fayetteville in Arkansas have long histories of severe weather, with tornadoes capable of producing damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding. The National Weather Service frequently issues tornado watches in this corridor because conditions can deteriorate quickly as storm systems move across the Ozark Plateau.
In recent years, both states have endured destructive tornadoes that struck towns large and small, underscoring the vulnerability of the region. Rural counties, in particular, often face challenges with storm shelters and early warnings, making residents more reliant on weather alerts and local sirens. Cities such as Tulsa and Conway, along with smaller communities in the Arkansas River Valley, have invested in improved radar coverage and emergency response planning, but officials still urge people to have safety plans ready during peak storm season.
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Updates: 9/23/25, 7:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Updates: 9/23/25, 7:47 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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