At least five killed after tornadoes strike central US states
Several tornadoes tore through the central US, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least five individuals, including a four-month-old infant.
The severe weather, which commenced on Friday, left tens of thousands of residents without electricity. Four fatalities occurred in Oklahoma, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency in twelve counties.
Additionally, a fifth person succumbed to injuries sustained in Iowa following a distinct storm system hitting the Midwest, as reported by local media.
Preliminary investigations by the National Weather Service (NWS) revealed that some of Saturday’s tornadoes reached wind speeds exceeding 136 miles (218 kilometers) per hour.
The storms, spanning from Texas to Missouri, unleashed heavy rainfall of up to seven inches (18 centimeters) in certain areas within a few hours, according to AFP news agency.
Sulfur, located in eastern Oklahoma, bore the brunt of the devastation, with footage depicting leveled homes and overturned vehicles. Approximately 100 injuries were reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, with Holdenville and Marietta also suffering significant damage.
During a press conference in Sulphur, Speaker of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives, Charles McCall, expressed confidence in the affected areas’ recovery, stating, “We will rise, we’ll clean up, we’ll rebuild, and we’ll move forward.”
Governor Kevin Stitt, who visited the town, described the destruction as the worst he had witnessed during his six-year tenure, noting the widespread devastation of downtown businesses.
US President Joe Biden spoke with Governor Stitt, offering the full support of the federal government, as confirmed by the White House.
This assistance comes in the wake of a separate weather system that spawned over 70 tornadoes in the Midwestern states of Nebraska and Iowa on Friday, with the majority occurring near the city of Omaha.
“Saw this big tornado coming and just had to cover with the kids and wife as fast as we could,” Brent Richardson told the Associated Press.
“Loudest freight train you’ve ever heard in your life coming right through your house.”
“Utter destruction, just chaos. A neighborhood that’s trying to band together to help people out and you have some people trapped in houses that we’re trying to get out and some houses aren’t standing anymore.”
Nebraska’s governor issued emergency declarations for three counties on Sunday, making them also eligible for extra funding for rescue and recovery operations.
Further severe weather has been forecast.
“The threat of tornadoes appears to be lower, but instances of damaging winds and hail are still expected, especially across north-eastern Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas, and southern Missouri,” meteorologist Brandon Buckingham from the commercial forecaster AccuWeather reported.
