Video Shows Powerful Storm Winds Damage Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Surveillance video from the Tulsa Performing Arts Center shows the moment the 100 mile per hour winds shattered doors and windows, while people were inside.

Tuesday, June 20th 2023, 9:47 pm

By: Ashlyn Brothers


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Surveillance video from the Tulsa Performing Arts Center shows the moment the 100 mile per hour winds shattered doors and windows, while people were inside.

Now crews are working around the clock to make repairs before the PAC's next show.

The good news is, the PAC made it through the final performance of the Lion King, just before the storm hit. The bad news is there's a lot of damage to clean up before their next event.

Security video from the PAC shows strong winds blowing out the door and windows, tossing around furniture and ripping out ceiling tiles.

"I was so thankful that the people in the hallway were not in front of the doors. You can tell that the force of how those blew out, it would have probably killed someone," said Mark Frie, TPAC CEO.

CEO Mark Frie said with the gaping hole, rain poured into the promenade level, soaking the floors and furniture.

"We also have quite an extensive art collection and we have specialists that are on their way here to make sure what is damaged what is not and how we can repair our great art collection," said Frie.

Frie said the pressure from the storm was so intense, it didn't just damage the exterior of the PAC.

"It actually shattered other doors that are probably a couple hundred feet away from us. Interior doors that also shattered. Third street doors lobby doors," said Frie.

Frie is working with city leaders on a plan to make repairs to the publicly owned, but privately managed facility.

He's glad no one was hurt, and now said the show must go on.

"As soon as we were able to secure and tie down the building, we still had 21 semi-trucks to load Lion King out," said Frie.

The show '1964 The Tribute' will be at the PAC Friday night and the PAC hopes to have most if not all repairs done by then.

Ashlyn Brothers

Ashlyn Brothers joined News On 6 in 2020 after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism.

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