Tornadoes in Oklahoma caused the deaths of four people, including an infant, and left thousands without electricity on Sunday following a destructive series of severe weather events that flattened buildings in a rural town and injured at least 100 individuals across the state.
Even hours after tornadoes began late Saturday night, more than 20,000 people remained without power. The town of Sulphur, with a population of about 5,000, suffered extensive damage as the tornado crumpled numerous downtown buildings, overturned cars and buses, and tore the roofs off homes over a 15-block area.
“You just can’t imagine the devastation,” remarked Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt during his visit to the hard-hit town. “It seems like every business downtown has been destroyed.”
Stitt indicated that around 30 people were injured in Sulphur, including some who were inside a bar when the tornado hit. Hospitals statewide reported approximately 100 injuries, mostly from debris or flying objects, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
An infant was among those who tragically lost their lives, confirmed Hughes County Emergency Management Director Mike Dockrey to Oklahoma television station KOCO.
Many buildings left damaged (Elizabeth Jones/Shutterstock)
White House officials mentioned that President Joe Biden spoke with Governor Stitt on Sunday and assured him of the federal government’s complete support.
The deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma added to the series of storms that have caused extensive damage in the central United States since Friday. Another fatality was reported on Sunday in Iowa, where officials in Pottawattamie County announced that a man critically injured during a tornado on Friday had succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities in Oklahoma detailed that the tornado in Sulphur started in a city park before tearing through downtown, flipping vehicles, and tearing off roofs and walls from brick buildings. Many structures that remained standing had their windows and doors blown out.
“How do you even begin to rebuild? This is total devastation,” said Kelly Trussell, a lifelong resident of Sulphur, as she assessed the aftermath. “It’s overwhelming; you want to help, but where do you start?”
