Severe storms ravaged Oklahoma overnight, unleashing a devastating tornado outbreak that claimed the lives of at least three individuals, tragically including an infant. The National Weather Service sounded the alarm as multiple large and extremely dangerous tornadoes touched down simultaneously across various parts of the state. Keli Cain, the public affairs director for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, confirmed the grim news, revealing that two fatalities occurred in Holdenville, while the third occurred near Marietta on I-35.
In response to the catastrophe, Governor Kevin Stitt promptly declared an emergency disaster and announced plans to tour the storm-ravaged areas in Sulphur and Holdenville. Reports of injuries, extensive property damage, and widespread disruptions to power and communication infrastructure have emerged from several counties affected by the relentless onslaught of severe weather.
Sulphur, located approximately 80 miles south of Oklahoma City, bore the brunt of the devastation, experiencing impacts from at least two large tornadoes overnight. The severity of the situation prompted authorities to issue a flood warning for the city, urging residents to take immediate precautions. The National Weather Service issued urgent warnings to first responders, emphasizing the imminent danger posed by the ferocious tornadoes.
With an estimated 47 million people at risk for severe weather across a vast swath of territory stretching from east Texas to the upper Mississippi River Valley, concerns have intensified regarding the potential for further destruction. Major population centers, including Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Topeka, and the Kansas City metropolitan area, are on high alert for the looming threat of strong tornadoes as the storms continue their eastward trajectory.
Tornado watches encompassing more than 800 miles from Texas to southern Wisconsin have been issued for over 7 million people, underscoring the magnitude of the peril confronting numerous communities. The relentless onslaught of severe weather has already wreaked havoc, with reports of multiple tornadoes crossing Oklahoma's Highway 9 and sightings near Tinker Air Force Base.
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Moreover, flash flood warnings have been issued in Texas, encompassing Dallas, Johnson, Parker, and Tarrant counties, where significant rainfall has already inundated the region. The Storm Prediction Center has elevated the severe storm threat level to a concerning level 3 out of 5 for Sunday, spanning from eastern Texas to southern Missouri.
The devastation wrought by these storms extends beyond Oklahoma, with neighboring states such as Nebraska and Iowa also grappling with the aftermath of tornadoes that have left a trail of destruction in their wake. In Elkhorn, Nebraska, residents described harrowing experiences as tornadoes tore through their communities, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
As the affected regions reel from the impact of this catastrophic weather event, communities are rallying together to support those in need and to begin the arduous process of recovery and rebuilding.