Deadly tornadoes wreak havoc in Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The twisters, which began late Saturday night, claimed the lives of four people and injured about 100 others. Thousands were left without power as the state grappled with the aftermath of the severe weather.
In Sulphur, a town of 5,000 residents, the tornadoes tore through downtown, reducing buildings to rubble and ripping roofs off houses in a 15-block radius. Governor Kevin Stitt, visiting the devastated town, expressed disbelief at the extent of the destruction, noting that nearly every business downtown had been destroyed.
The tornado in Sulphur originated in a city park before unleashing its fury on the downtown area, flipping cars and demolishing brick buildings. Residents like Kelly Trussell, a lifelong resident of Sulphur, are left wondering how to begin the daunting task of rebuilding their shattered community.
The deadly weather in Oklahoma is part of a larger pattern of severe storms that have swept through the nation’s midsection since Friday. Flood watches and warnings remain in effect for multiple states, including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.
Governor Stitt has declared a state of emergency in 12 counties due to the severe weather fallout, with over 20,000 customers still without power as of late Sunday afternoon. The community of Sulphur, along with other affected areas, faces a long road to recovery as they come to terms with the devastation left in the wake of the tornadoes.