3 dead after tornado tears through Oklahoma town, officials say

COLE, Okla. (KOKH) — Officials say at least three people were killed after a tornado tore through an Oklahoma town on Wednesday night.

According to the McClain County Sheriff's Office, the deaths occurred in the Cole/Dibble area.

KOKH's storm chaser Mike Williams spotted a tornado on the ground near Cole around 7:30 pm.The National Weather Service confirmed nine tornadoes total touched down in the state during the storm.

Emergency crews are in the area conducting grid searches in an approximate 10-mile path. They have been responding to reported injuries and to reports of persons trapped within their homes and/or shelters.

There are reports of damage in that area. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is reporting all lanes of east and westbound SH-74B are closed between SH-74 and SH-76 near Cole in McClain County because of downed power lines.

Golf ball-sized hail was also reported in several areas of the metro, including Northeast Oklahoma City.

The Red Cross has set up in several areas throughout McClain County: Noble, Shawnee and Washington.The Salvation Army will be providing breakfast in Cole on Thursday morning to residents and first responders, as well.