Severe storms continue to threaten the Midwest as numerous tornadoes tore through Oklahoma and other areas over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Homes and buildings were leveled as these powerful storms unleashed their fury.
On Friday, multiple tornadoes were reported in at least six states. The National Weather Service in Norman, Okla. confirmed that twisters struck various areas in Oklahoma, including Davenport and Sulphur late on Saturday.
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According to local officials, the tornadoes on Saturday caused significant damage, including downed power lines and debris scattered across the roadways. The severe weather also brought strong winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall.
According to a spokesperson from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the storms resulted in the tragic loss of three lives.
On Sunday morning, social media was flooded with images and videos showcasing the extensive damage caused by the disaster. The visuals depicted a landscape of destroyed buildings, flooded roads, and debris scattered all around, comprising bricks and wooden beams.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, there were approximately 11,300 power outages reported on Saturday night. Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company confirmed that around 28,000 customers were left without service on Sunday.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that there were other injuries, although it is unclear how many people were affected. Officials stated that at least two vehicle accidents occurred.
The National Weather Service advised drivers to avoid flooded roadways as the primary threat shifted from tornadoes to flash flooding around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced on Sunday that he has declared a state of emergency due to the severe storm damage in the cities of Holdenville and Sulfur. Additionally, he stated that he will personally visit the affected areas to assess the extent of the destruction.
Severe storms and tornadoes wreaked havoc in Iowa and Nebraska during the weekend, as reported by NBC News. At the same time, millions of people in Texas, Kansas, and Wisconsin found themselves in the path of these destructive weather patterns.
According to CNN, the storms were forecasted to move towards the eastern direction across the southern Plains on Sunday night. Early Sunday, more than 7 million people residing in an 800-mile span, from Texas to southern Wisconsin, were placed under tornado watches.
