More tornadoes possible Sunday in battered Midwest(Photo-Video)

A violent storm system unleashed dozens of tornadoes across the Midwest and Plains, leaving five people dead and at least 29 injured in Oklahoma Sunday morning. As the weather gripped the region, twisters or high winds damaged a hospital, homes and cut power to hundreds of thousands, and forecasters warned more storms were possible before the day was over.

Oklahoma emergency officials said five people died after a tornado touched down at 12:18 a.m. Sunday in and around the

5.6-mag Okla. quake rattle nerves

Oklahomans more accustomed to tornadoes than earthquakes suffered through a weekend of temblors that cracked buildings, buckled a highway and rattled nerves. One jolting quake late Saturday was the state's strongest ever and shook a college football stadium 50 miles away while another of lesser intensity struck

before dawn Sunday.

"That shook up the place, had a lot of people nervous," Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon said of the late Saturday quake, the strongest of a series of quakes that began hours earlier. "Yeah, it was pretty strong."

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake Saturday night was centered near Sparks, 44 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, and could be felt as far away as Tennessee and Wisconsin, according to reports received by the U.S. Geological Survey. A magnitude 4.7 quake early Saturday was felt from Texas to Missouri.

The Survey said the latest quake hit at 3:39 a.m. Sunday, measuring 4.0 in magnitude and centered 36 miles east of Oklahoma City. Like Saturday night's quake, it said, the quake Sunday took place a little more than 3 miles underground.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage from the quakes or many small aftershocks, but a number of homeowners and businesses reported cracked walls or fallen knickknacks. At Shawnee, the fire department said one spire on the administration building at St. Gregory University had been damaged and another one was leaning, according to KWTV in Oklahoma City.

"Earthquake damage in Oklahoma. That's an anomaly right there," Todd McKinsey of Moore told The Oklahoman newspaper after a magnitude 5.6 temblor centered 50 miles away left him with cracked drywall.

Oklahoma typically has about 50 earthquakes a year, and 57 tornadoes, but a swarm of quakes east of Oklahoma City contributed to a sharp increase in the number of temblors. Researchers said 1,047 quakes occurred last year, prompting them to install seismographs in the area. A cause of the uptick wasn't known.

Saturday night's earthquake jolted Oklahoma State University's stadium shortly after the No. 3 Cowboys defeated No. 17 Kansas State. The crowd of 58,895 was still leaving when it hit, and players were in the locker rooms beneath the stands at Boone Pickens Stadium.

The temblor seemed to last the better part of a minute, rippling upward to the stadium press box.

"Everybody was looking around and no one had any idea," Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden said. "We thought the people above us were doing something. I've never felt one, so that was a first."

An emergency manager in Lincoln County near the epicenter said U.S. 62, a two-lane highway that meanders through the gently rolling landscape between Oklahoma City and the Arkansas state line, crumbled in places when the stronger quake struck Saturday night. Other reports in the early hours Sunday were sketchy and mentioned cracks in some buildings and a chimney toppled.

The magnitude 4.7 earthquake that struck the area early Saturday — and a number of aftershocks following both large quakes — rattled homes and businesses, but emergency officials said no injuries were reported and that there had been no immediate reports of major damages.

"Nothing is destroyed or anything like that," Prague City Police Department dispatcher Claudie Morton told the Tulsa World after the Saturday morning quakes.

But authorities said they would need to await daybreak for better light to assess any damages from the later, more powerful quake.

Hours before dawn on Sunday, the latest quake set nerves on edge anew.

At the Prague Community Hospital in the region, registered nurse Jessie Plumb said no injured people had come into the emergency room after the late Saturday quake. But she said she and other hospital staffers felt the 4.0 magnitude quake early Sunday while on the second floor of the building.

"It kind of gave a little bit of a shake, a little bit of rock `n roll," she told The Associated Press by phone. "I would say it was 20 or 25 seconds." She said she worried because of the number of quakes and the intensity.

Saturday's late-night quake was slightly less in intensity than a temblor that rattled the East Coast on Aug. 23. That 5.8 magnitude earthquake was centered in Virginia and was felt from Georgia to Canada. No major damage was reported, although cracks appeared in the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral suffered costly damage to sculpted stonework, and a number of federal buildings were evacuated.

If the 5.6 magnitude from Saturday's late quake is confirmed, it would be Oklahoma's strongest. USGS records show that a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck El Reno, just west of Oklahoma City, in 1952 and, before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, a quake of similar magnitude 5.5 struck in northeastern Indian Territory in 1882.

"Oh, man. I've never felt anything like that in my life," Morton told the Tulsa newspaper. "It was the scariest thing. I had a police officer just come in and sit down and all the sudden the walls started shaking and the windows were rattling. It felt like the roof was going to come off the police department."

Morton said the office was flooded with calls, but no one reported any severe injuries or damage. She said residents told her that picture frames and mirrors fell from walls and broke, drawers worked loose from dressers and objects tumbled out of cabinets.

"We do have several damaged buildings downtown, but it's just cracks and things like that," Morton said.

Oklahoma Geological Survey researcher Austin Holland told Oklahoma City television station KOTV that the earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a known fault line.

Residents in Prague and Sparks felt an intense shaking, but for those farther away the quake was more of a dull rumble, he said.

"It shakes much more rapidly when you're closer to it," he said. "Because it's a large earthquake, it's going to rumble for a while."

Tragedy of Oklahoma City echoes in Norwegian terror attacks

A clean-cut young man buys tons of fertilizer, which he uses to create a huge bomb. He puts it into a box truck, brings it into the middle of the city, and then sets off a massive, and deadly, blast.

That happened in 1995, when Timothy McVeigh unleashed terror in Oklahoma City.

And it happened again Friday in Oslo, Norway, when, police say, a 32-year-old man sparked a explosion that killed seven people in the heart of the city center. In Norway, the suspect allegedly and then traveled 20 miles to Utoya island, where he gunned down at least 85 others at a youth camp.

Sixteen years and nearly 5,000 miles separate the sites of the bombings. Yet Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, said she has been flooded by calls and e-mails from survivors, victims' relatives and others affected by the attack in that Midwestern city who have been shaken by this week's violence in Scandinavia.

"It's a senseless and needless attack," said Watkins, noting that the Norway incident caused "flashbacks" for many. "And it's almost exactly what our people went through."

It has struck close to home in two parts of the world, in part because both McVeigh and the prime suspect in the Norwegian attacks are being painted as "domestic terrorists."

Scores of innocent civilians, including a number of children, were killed in both locations as attackers went after symbols and institutions -- in McVeigh's case a U.S. federal government building, and in the other a Norwegian government building and a youth camp affiliated with the ruling political party.

McVeigh had some help from Terry Nichols, who was convicted and is serving a life sentence for conspiracy and manslaughter for helping build the bomb; and Michael Fortier, convicted for failing to alert authorities. Meanwhile, Acting National Police Chief Sveinung Sponheim said that although only one man had been arrested as of Saturday, Norwegian police have yet to determine definitely that only a single person was responsible for both of the Norwegian attacks.

Growing up, McVeigh didn't appear to stand out, working at Burger King and a security guard. With his crew cut, the son of a automobile factory-line worker and homemaker looked the part of an all-American and even joined the military, where he became a decorated Army veteran before leaving the service.

Anders Behring Breivik, who Norwegian media have identified as the first and then only person detained in the more recent attack, appears to fit the role of a quintessential Norwegian. Pictures show him with blond hair, blue-green eyes and chiseled features, dressed in a preppy style. He had been a youth and adult member of the conservative Fremskrittspartiet (FrP) or Progress Party, VG newspaper reports, but there has been no indication he'd ever been arrested prior to this week.

Yet police say they believe the Norwegian is responsible for the deadliest attack ever on its soil. That was true for McVeigh, too, before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"When it's one of your own, when it's one of our folks doing it to us, it's hard to stomach," said Watkins, who joined the memorial effort soon after the 1995 attack.

Both Breivik, according to reports, and McVeigh had extreme political agendas.

In the American's case, this included a growing disillusionment with the federal government. He viewed its treatment of the Iraqi people as that of a schoolyard bully, then became angered at its role in the disastrous raids at the Branch Davidian compound at Waco, Texas, and the cabin of white separatist Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

Up through his execution in 2001, McVeigh never expressed remorse for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing that left 168 dead.The suspect in the bombing and mass shooting in Norway conceded the terrorist attacks in that nation were "horrible," but "in his head (they) were necessary," a man who identified himself as the suspect's lawyer told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.

Geir Lippestad told TV2 late Saturday that Breivik "is ready to explain himself" in a court hearing Monday.

The fact the Norwegian suspect doesn't look the part of a terrorist, especially in an age marked by threats and strikes by members of the Islamic fundamentalist group al Qaeda, doesn't surprise Watkins.

One thing the Oklahoma City bombing taught her is that "evil doesn't have to look like a monster."

That is one of many lessons learned by people in and around Oklahoma's capital. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said that another is that there's no one, clear path toward emotional recovery from such a traumatic event.

"It's impossible to sum up the emotions of an entire city," the mayor said. "It's so emotional individually."

Cornett said that, in time, the experience made the Oklahoma City "stronger," more united and more patriotic, invigorated by the sense that "we were not going to let a criminal act tear us apart."

And Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg spoke to this sentiment hours after the attacks, when he vowed, "You won't destroy our democracy ... No one will bomb us into silence. No one can scare us from being Norway."

The people of Oklahoma City know, more than most, that such resiliency is possible -- but it is also difficult. Watkins said that the city's memorial and museum plans to offer its assistance to the people of Norway, including children's psychiatric counseling and other resources.

One lesson that the Midwestern city's residents have learned, the hard way, is that evil exists and it can strike at any time -- at times perpetrated by seemingly the least likely people.

"It seems so simple that we should be able to stop this, but it's so much harder than that," Watkins said.

Thunder deliver a loud message

Kevin Durant scored 19 points, reserve Daequan Cook added 18, and the Oklahoma City Thunder followed their triple-overtime triumph with a 99-72 blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies last night to take their first series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Thunder lead, 3-2, heading into Game 6 tomorrow night in Memphis. They got there with ease considering what happened two nights earlier.

Marc Gasol had 16 points to lead Memphis, which matched its lowest point total from the regular season and played like it was still drained from Monday’s emotional loss in their building that knocked them out of control in the series.

The Grizzlies shot a season-worst 36 percent and were far enough behind that Durant and Russell Westbrook didn’t even have to play in the fourth quarter.

By the end, Durant was wearing one of the same white Thunder T-shirts as the sellout crowd and was standing on the sideline directing the lineup of reserves that got to play in garbage time.

“We played great defense. Everyone was in tune,’’ Durant said. “It was a group effort.’’

The Grizzlies were a ragged bunch throughout the game after losing the triple-overtime thriller, 133-123, on their home court.

Zach Randolph, who played 56 minutes in Game 4, never was effective. He finished with just 9 points and seven rebounds. Gasol, his partner in the potent frontcourt, did most of his damage during a 6-minute stretch in the third quarter.

Then the Grizzlies fell hopelessly behind.

Oklahoma City’s Nick Collison turned a rebound into a 3-point play. When he converted the free throw, it completed a string of seven straight points by the Thunder to bump the lead to 65-46 late in the quarter.

Memphis didn’t stand a chance of a comeback. Too many missed layups. Too many shots that clanked off the front rim. Too little energy left.

These Grizzlies, like their stubborn coach, refuse to give in

He's done an amazing job with these Grizzlies, convinced a handful of second-chance players to believe in themselves (and each other) and created a storyline that's turned this city into an "NBA Town" for the first time in a long time, and arguably ever. But one of Hollins' weaknesses -- though it can be a positive at times -- is that he can be a hard-headed SOB less interested in change than showing you he won't, which is why it was surprising when he announced before tipoff that O.J. Mayo would start instead of Sam Young.

Really, Lionel?

"They were just clamping down on Zach [Randolph] with two or three guys," Hollins answered when asked to explain his reasoning. "We felt like if we put a shooter out there they would have to honor him."

Or succumb to him.

Mayo started and played 39 minutes, made six shots and finished with 16 points while pushing the Grizzlies to a 95-83 win over Oklahoma City late Friday that'll give the world its first Game 7 of these NBA Playoffs. Tipoff for that game is Sunday afternoon at 3:30 ET in Oklahoma City. The winner will face the Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

"We're gonna go there and try to make it a close game," said Grizzlies forward Shane Battier. "We're gonna try to sneak one out."

The night began in a truly "Memphis" way with the Reverend Al Green singing the national anthem before a sellout crowd of 18,119. He was so good that several players started the anthem facing the United States flag with their backs to the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer but slowly turned around to catch a glimpse.

"That was pretty sweet," Battier said. "He's a big reason why my wife and I are married. … Can I say that?"

Yes, Shane. As long as your wife doesn't mind.

Anyway, Battier's 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer was the only thing that allowed the Grizzlies to be down by just 10 points after 24 minutes, and though folks were still waving those "Believe" towels it would be dishonest to suggest everybody still actually, you know, believed. The Thunder were outplaying Memphis for the fifth consecutive game. They seemed on their way to a series-finishing victory, but then their best player -- and the world's best scorer -- stopped making shots and Oklahoma City stopped scoring points.

Kevin Durant was 1-of-10 from the field in the second half.

He missed contested shots and open shots.

He missed runners and long jumpers.

"It was frustrating to go out there and prepare so hard and not play as hard as I wanted," said Durant, who finished with just 11 points on a 3-of-14 shooting effort. "But I have to stay positive."

While Durant was missing shots, Randolph and Mayo were taking advantage of each other's presence. Randolph was 7-of-13 for 20 points in the second half while Mayo was 4-of-6 for 10. They combined for 46 points in the game, helped Memphis outscore the Thunder by a 51-29 margin over the final 24 minutes and complimented each other afterward.

"[Mayo starting] definitely makes a difference because you have to guard O.J.," Randolph said. "He can make shots from outside so it opened up a little bit in the paint. We had great spacing. They had to guard our perimeter."

And now the Thunder will have to do it again -- one last time.

Because Hollins made a lineup change and put a shooter in the court.

And because that shooter opened things up for the Grizzlies' best post player to operate.

Stubborn?

Yeah, Hollins is still a stubborn dude.

But he put that personality trait aside on this night.

Consequently, the Mavericks will have to wait till Sunday to find out their next opponent.

"He's just a coach -- a good coach," Mayo said when asked about Hollins' stubbornness. "He came to this franchise and turned it around with his headiness and toughness, and we resemble him a lot. He's got an old-school mentality. Good teams resemble good leaders, and he's the leader of this thing."

Of this thing that lived to play one more game … at least.