Tornadoes in Oklahoma leave at least 2 dead

Tornadoes wreak havoc in Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction and two dead

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Tornadoes tore across Oklahoma, leaving a wide trail of destruction Sunday, leveling homes and buildings and knocking out power for tens of thousands of residents. At least two people, including a child, were killed in the aftermath of the deadly storms.

Dozens of reported tornadoes have wreaked havoc in the nation’s midsection since Friday, with flood watches and warnings in effect Sunday for Oklahoma and other states, including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.

In Holdenville, a town of about 5,000 people, a tornado ripped through late Saturday, killing two people and injuring four others, according to Hughes County Emergency Medical Services.

Houses were demolished, road signs were bent to the ground, and the sound of chainsaws filled the air as workers began tackling the damage in the community roughly 80 miles from Oklahoma City.

Governor Kevin Stitt expressed his condolences, stating, “My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night.” He declared a state of emergency in 12 counties due to the severe weather fallout.

At least 17 tornadoes reportedly touched down in the state Saturday, leaving more than 30,000 customers without power in Oklahoma and nearly 52,000 customers without power in Texas.

Authorities in Sulphur reported unspecified injuries and significant destruction, urging people to stay away from the city to allow first responders to assess the damage. The Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management also reported a damaged hospital in Marietta and the closure of Interstate 35 at the Texas border due to overturned vehicles and power lines.

The devastation extended beyond Oklahoma, with tornadoes in Nebraska and Iowa causing destruction in suburban Omaha and farmland. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds toured the damaged areas, arranging for assistance and planning to seek federal help for the affected communities.