Multiple tornadoes caused widespread damage across Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction and leveling homes and buildings. Four people were killed, including a child. The severe weather also knocked out power for tens of thousands of residents. The tornados were part of a larger storm system that impacted six states, with Nebraska and Iowa being the hardest hit. In one small town, Holdenville, around 11 pm on Saturday night, a tornado destroyed or damaged several buildings, leaving at least four people injured, including two fatalities.
Gov. J. Kevin Stitt declared an emergency disaster for 12 counties in Oklahoma, including Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pontotoc. This will allow the state to provide the necessary assistance to impacted communities. The governor expressed shock at the destruction, noting that many businesses downtown had been destroyed. Nearby towns like Sulphur also experienced multiple tornadoes, resulting in significant damage. The National Weather Service issued flash flooding warnings as the primary threat following the tornados, with thousands of residents without power in Oklahoma and Texas.
In Kansas, a large and dangerous tornado touched down near the town of Howard, while multiple tornadoes were confirmed in North Texas, including three in Navarro County. The Friday night storms caused significant damage in the Midwest, particularly in Nebraska and Iowa. In Omaha, the sounds of chainsaws could be heard as residents assessed the damage. The number and strength of the tornados were still being evaluated by the National Weather Service. Overall, nearly 47 million people were at risk for severe weather across a wide region on Sunday.
Video and photos shared on social media showed extensive damage in Sulphur, with buildings in the downtown area having blown-out windows and missing walls. The Red Cross in Oklahoma opened a shelter in Sulphur to assist affected residents. Communities in multiple counties suffered damage to homes and other structures, with the state facing challenges in providing assistance to those impacted by the storms. Emergency responders and officials were working to address the aftermath of the tornadoes and severe weather, with the region on high alert for further threats. Gov. Stitt vowed to visit impacted communities to evaluate the damage firsthand and ensure the necessary aid was provided.
