A tornado ripped through the small town of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, destroying homes, forcing the evacuation of a nursing home, and causing widespread damage. This was the second tornado to hit the town in five weeks, adding to the devastation already experienced by the community. The National Weather Service reported 17 tornadoes in the central United States on Monday evening through early Tuesday, with eight in Oklahoma, two in each of Kansas, South Dakota, and Iowa, and one each in Nebraska, Missouri, and Tennessee.
At least 30 to 40 homes in Barnsdall were damaged, with one person reported dead and another missing. The mayor of Barnsdall, Johnny Kelley, stated that several homes were completely leveled, leaving the close-knit community reeling from the destruction. First responders worked to rescue about 25 people, including children, from collapsed buildings, while a firefighter was hospitalized with chest pains. Authorities initiated a search for the missing individuals as the community began to assess the extent of the damage.
The Barnsdall Nursing Home evacuated residents due to a gas leak caused by storm damage, with all residents safely relocated to other facilities. Aerial footage showed the extent of the destruction, with well-built homes reduced to rubble, vehicles tossed around, and trees stripped of their bark. The town’s infrastructure, including a wax manufacturing facility, sustained heavy damage. Nearby Bartlesville also reported damage, with a tornado hitting the city directly and causing significant destruction to properties and vehicles.
The storm prediction center issued warnings for severe weather across the Ohio Valley on Tuesday, with the possibility of strong tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. The threat was expected to shift eastward, though not as intense as the previous day. The storms began with gusty winds and rain, escalating into tornado activity after dark. Areas in Kansas were hit with large hail, adding to the volatile weather conditions in the region. The entire week was forecasted to be stormy across the U.S., particularly in the eastern states and the South.
As the central U.S. grappled with severe weather events, floodwaters in the Houston area were receding following heavy rain in southeastern Texas. The broader impact of the storms extended beyond Oklahoma, with previous tornadoes causing fatalities and widespread power outages in other states. The State Emergency Operations Center in Oklahoma remained activated to coordinate storm response, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the region. The week ahead was expected to bring continued storm activity in parts of the country, with relief in sight for the weekend.
