A powerful tornado struck Sulphur, Oklahoma, on Sunday, causing massive destruction and claiming the lives of four people, including an infant. The storm left thousands without electricity and injured over 100 individuals.
Extent of Damage
- The tornado flattened buildings in the heart of Sulphur, a town with a population of around 5,000 people.
- Downtown Sulphur suffered significant damage, with many buildings destroyed, cars and buses tossed, and roofs ripped off across a 15-block area.
- Governor Kevin Stitt, who has been serving since 2019, described the damage as the most severe he has witnessed during his tenure.
Casualties and Recovery Efforts
- Four people, including an infant, were killed by the tornado.
- Over 100 people were injured due to the destructive storm.
- Governor Stitt declared a ‘state of emergency’ for Oklahoma, allowing for additional funds to support first responders and recovery operations.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offered assistance from the federal government.
Power Outages and Flooding
- More than 20,000 people were still without electricity hours after the tornadoes began late Saturday night.
- In Oklahoma, over 30,000 customers were without power as of midday Sunday, according to poweroutage.us.
- In Texas, nearly 52,000 customers were without power due to the severe weather.
- Heavy rains accompanying the tornadoes caused significant flooding and required water rescues.
- The rising lake levels forced the closure of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, where the storms destroyed a pedestrian bridge.
Ongoing Threat
- The National Weather Service issued storm warnings on Sunday for more than 47 million people from East Texas northward through Illinois and Wisconsin, cautioning about high winds, heavy rain, and hail.