At least five individuals, among them a four-month-old baby, have perished as a series of powerful tornadoes devastated parts of the central United States, starting from Friday.
The severe weather left widespread destruction and tens of thousands without electricity.
Oklahoma was among the hardest hit, with four fatalities recorded there and a state of emergency declared across twelve counties due to the extensive damage. A fifth victim died in Iowa following injuries sustained in a separate storm, according to reports from local media outlets.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated that preliminary assessments of the tornadoes show wind gusts surpassing 136 miles per hour (218 kilometers per hour). The storm system stretched from Texas to Missouri, dumping as much as seven inches (18 centimeters) of rain in several areas within just a few hours.
The small town of Sulphur in eastern Oklahoma experienced particularly severe impacts, with videos emerging of demolished homes and upended vehicles. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported approximately 100 people injured due to the tornadoes.
Additional towns, including Holdenville and Marietta, also suffered significant damage. In a press conference held in Sulphur on Sunday, Charles McCall, Speaker of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives, expressed confidence in recovery efforts. “We will rise, we’ll clean up, we’ll rebuild and we’ll move forward,” McCall asserted.
Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who visited the devastated areas, described the destruction in Sulphur as the worst he has seen during his tenure.
“You just can’t believe the destruction,” Governor Stitt said, noting that virtually every business in the downtown area had been obliterated.
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In response to the crisis, President Joe Biden has been in contact with Governor Stitt, offering the full support of the federal government. This disaster follows closely on the heels of another series of tornadoes that affected the Midwest, particularly around Omaha, Nebraska, where over 70 tornadoes were reported.
Residents of Omaha recounted harrowing experiences. Brent Richardson, a local, described the sound as “the loudest freight train you’ve ever heard in your life coming right through your house,” emphasizing the chaos and the community efforts to rescue those trapped.
Nebraska’s governor has also declared emergencies in three counties, facilitating additional funds for rescue and recovery efforts.
While the immediate threat of tornadoes may have decreased, forecasters warn of potential damaging winds and hail, particularly in northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas, and southern Missouri, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
