Tornadoes reported near Oklahoma City

At least three tornadoes touched down in communities south of Oklahoma City Thursday evening while parts of the region remained under a tornado warning, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service office in Norman encouraged people to immediately run for cover.

A tornado warning was in effect for central Cleveland County and west central McClain County through 10:15 p.m. Central Time.

Ping-pong-sized hail was possible, forecasters said, as were winds that could damage homes or topple trees.

Tornadoes were confirmed to touch down in northern Noble, Cole and Rush Springs between 7:45 p.m. and about 9:15 p.m. Central Time, the weather service said. There were no immediate injuries or deaths reported.

Stormspotters reported some damage in Noble, such as downed power poles, debris, and some damage to buildings. according to The Oklahoman.

Tornadoes were also seen in Kansas and Nebraska.

Three storms continue to move through Oklahoma and have the possibility of spawning a tornado, forecasters from the Norman Weather Service said.

“Storm coverage is increasing in south central Oklahoma, as well as north central Oklahoma,” the weather service says said in a tweet. “Stay tuned for the weather tonight!”

In April, three people were killed in or near Cole when a storm system spawned several tornadoes. The storm displaced residents, damaged homes and left thousands without power.

Scientists cannot yet determine whether there is a link between climate change and the frequency or strength of tornadoes. But they do say that tornadoes seem to be occurring in larger clusters in recent years and that the region of the United States where most tornadoes occur, an area of ​​the Great Plains known as Tornado Alley, appears to be shifting eastward.