At least 9 dead, 75 hurt, widespread flooding from Friday night storms

Death toll rises to 9 in Okla. City area 
SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nine people have died in the Oklahoma City area after a violent burst of tornadoes and thunderstorms overnight.

Amy Elliott with the state Medical Examiner's Office said Saturday morning that nine fatalities have been confirmed, including two children and seven adults. The previous overall total was seven deaths.

Hospital officials said at least 75 people were hurt during Friday night storms that hit at rush hour.

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Oklahoma City area flooding after heavy rain 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City area is experiencing flooding in the wake of Friday's storms that inundated the region with several inches of rain.

Aerial images show muddy water covering roadways around Oklahoma City and El Reno, about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City.

National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Smith said Saturday that parts of the Oklahoma City area received 8 inches of rain overnight.

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office said Saturday in a news release that several areas are flooded and that deputies helped with more than 10 high-water rescues overnight. The sheriff's office is also searching for a man whose vehicle was found washed off the road.

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Injury count in Okla. tornadoes, storms tops 75 

YUKON, Okla. (AP) — A hospital official in Oklahoma City says more than 75 people were injured during a burst of severe storms and tornadoes on Friday night.

Integris spokeswoman Brooke Cayot said Saturday that the hospital chain had treated 77 people. One remains in critical condition.

At least nine people died during the storm, which struck the Oklahoma City area during rush hour, trapping many people in their cars along Interstate 40.

The National Weather Service reported Friday evening that "several" tornadoes rolled across the prairie. The official number of tornadoes has not yet been determined.

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Despite damage, Oklahoma City airport reopens 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City's airport has reopened after high winds damaged the terminal and spread debris across its runways. Several planes were damaged, including a commercial airliner.

A spokeswoman for Will Rogers World Airport said Saturday that roof damage let in torrential rains during Friday night's violent weather. She said there is also water damage to walls and counters.

Airport officials had no damage estimate.

Spokeswoman Karen Carney said early flights were delayed or canceled because planes had been diverted.

Forecasters say a tornado touched down just north of the airport. Passengers and workers were sent to tunnels below the terminal to ride out the storm.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.