Tornado destroys Blanco Fire Department and homes in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma
A tornado destroyed the Blanco Fire Department and at least 10 homes in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, on Monday, May 19, 2025. The event was part of a broader outbreak that produced over a dozen tornado reports across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska, leading to widespread structural damage and power outages affecting more than 30 000 customers.
Tornado damage in Lincoln area, Arkansas, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Credit: Washington County Sheriffs Office
A tornado struck the community of Pittsburg (population 180) in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, on May 19, during a major tornado outbreak that affected multiple areas across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska. The storms caused widespread damage and power outages.
Preliminary reports suggest the tornado began near Wardville at around 17:35 local time on May 19, before moving toward Blanco and Pittsburg, where it caused significant damage.
Radar and local reports indicated that at least two tornadoes affected southern Pittsburg County, though this has not yet been confirmed by the NWS.
According to Pittsburg County Emergency Management, at least 10 homes were destroyed in the Blanco and Pittsburg areas. The Blanco Fire Department was completely destroyed as the tornado passed through the area.
The NWS office in Tulsa confirmed 13 tornadoes occurred in their jurisdiction, which includes parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas, on Monday. At least 8 tornadoes passed through parts of Oklahoma and 5 through Arkansas, according to the NWS.
Preliminary assessments indicate that the damage path extended from the community of Pittsburg eastward toward Jones Academy in Hartshorne and continued across the county line.
No fatalities have been reported in connection with the tornado. However, one person was injured after being struck by a beam during the storms.
Access to the Blanco area was restricted on Tuesday, May 20, with only emergency responders and residents with essential needs allowed entry.
More than 2 000 customers were without power in Pittsburg County on the morning of May 20, while over 31 000 customers were without power statewide. At the peak of the storms, nearly 35 000 customers lost power across Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
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I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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