At least 4 dead, including infant, in Oklahoma tornadoes
April 28 (UPI) -- At least four people are dead, including a 4-month-old baby, after a series of tornadoes ravaged central Oklahoma overnight, police and officials said.
The National Weather Service said a number of tornadoes had touched down over a wide swath of Oklahoma on Saturday night. Though not all have yet to be measured, but the two cities of Sulphur and Marietta were hit by storms listed as at least EF3, meaning they were strong tornadoes with winds between 136 and 165 mph.
Two deaths occurred in the city of Holdenville and one in each of Marietta and Sulphur, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said in a storm update Sunday afternoon. One of the deaths in Holdenville was reportedly a 4-month-old baby.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said another 100 people have reported injuries to local hospitals.
Gov. Kevin Stitt toured hard-hit Sulphur on Sunday and told reporters during a press conference that it was the "most damage" he's seen since becoming governor in 2019.
"What I saw downtown Sulphur is unbelievable," he said.
"I just haven't seen this much destruction from my time as governor."
Homes, businesses and infrastructure were damaged and destroyed throughout the state. Highways were blocked by debris. Tress were felled. Power lines downed.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, 43,000 outages were reported statewide, with the highest numbers located in Tulsa, Carter, Murray, Love, Hughes, Pontotoc and Seminole counties.
Officials said search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing, officials said without stating how many people were missing.
Stitt earlier declared a state of emergency in a dozen counties.
"Due to impacts from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail, and flooding beginning April 27, 2024, including extensive damage to power lines and infrastructure, it is necessary to assist and expedite all efforts of relief," Stitt said in the state of emergency declaration.
"My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night. Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage," Stitt said in a separate statement on the tornadoes.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Crossway Church in Sulphur, a building that also served as a place for storm victims to reunite with their families, according to the Murray County Sheriff's Office.
A state of emergency typically lasts for a month, making state funds available for clean-up and aid.
Several major highways remain closed in the parts of the state hardest hit as crews work to remove debris.
The Oklahoma tornadoes Saturday night were the latest in a series of tornadoes that have battered the Midwest beginning last week and into the weekend.
The Weather Service fielded calls of at least 60 tornadoes in five states on Friday, making it the busiest day of the year so far for tornado activity. Officials warned of the potential for more severe weather for millions of people in a band that reaches from Michigan to Texas.
