Over the weekend, multiple tornadoes tore through Oklahoma, resulting in at least four deaths and over 100 injuries. The storms caused widespread destruction, with one tornado hitting Sulphur especially hard, leading to numerous buildings being reduced to rubble and roofs torn off houses. Governor Kevin Stitt visited the city and noted that it was the most significant damage he had seen during his time in office. Videos and images shared on social media depicted the extensive devastation in Sulphur and Marietta, where another person was killed. Additional severe weather was forecasted for other states in the region, with tornado and flood watches issued for parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
One person died after a tornado ripped through Oklahoma Interstate 35 near Marietta, flipping semi-trucks and destroying a building. Two fatalities, including a baby, were reported in Holdenville, where at least 14 homes were damaged or destroyed. The fourth death was confirmed in Sulphur, a city that suffered widespread destruction. Gov. Stitt described the damage in Sulphur as the most significant he had seen during his time in office, with virtually every business downtown being destroyed. Aerial footage and videos shared on social media showed the extent of the damage in Sulphur and Marietta, with buildings reduced to rubble.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that at least four tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma over the weekend, with the ones in Sulphur and Marietta being rated at least EF-3 based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Further investigation was required to determine if the rating would go higher. The severe storms in Oklahoma were part of a larger pattern of severe weather that tore through the mid-section of the United States since Friday. Tornado and flood watches were issued for parts of eastern Oklahoma, northern and central Texas, northwestern Arkansas, and southwestern Missouri.
Severe weather continued to pose a threat to a range of states, with the NWS warning of flash flooding from multiple rounds of storms, especially in southern Oklahoma. The public was advised to exercise caution and avoid driving through flooded roadways. While the exact number of tornadoes that hit Oklahoma over the weekend was not clear at the time of publication, the state experienced widespread destruction and multiple fatalities. Efforts were underway to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to those affected by the deadly storms.
The storms in Oklahoma added to the ongoing challenges faced by communities across the region due to severe weather. The Governor’s office, NWS, and local authorities were working to provide updates and support to those impacted by the tornadoes. As the cleanup and recovery efforts continued, residents were urged to remain vigilant and take precautions to ensure their safety in the face of ongoing severe weather threats. Newsweek remained committed to reporting on the latest developments and finding connections in the search for common ground amidst the challenges presented by the destructive storms in Oklahoma.
