Sulphur, Oklahoma – A deadly tornado outbreak has left a trail of destruction in Oklahoma, claiming the lives of at least five people, including an infant. The storms unleashed powerful tornadoes of EF-3 strength or higher, with wind speeds exceeding 136 mph, that ravaged Sulphur and Marietta cities in the state.
The National Weather Service confirmed the devastating impact of the tornado outbreak, with multiple tornadoes wreaking havoc in the region. Oklahoma’s Office of Emergency Management reported three fatalities, including one near Marietta, two in Holdenville, and a fourth casualty in Sulphur’s downtown area announced by Governor Kevin Stitt upon his arrival.
Tragically, one of the victims in Holdenville was just a four-month-old infant, according to reports from Stitt’s press secretary. The aftermath of the tornado in Marietta led to the overturning of four semitrucks on Interstate 35, resulting in the loss of one life, as reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The town of Sulphur, home to around 5,000 residents located 80 miles south of Oklahoma City, bore the brunt of the devastation with significant damage reported by the Murray County Emergency Management. Meanwhile, in Love County, the Marietta Hospital suffered damage during the storms, forcing patients to seek shelter. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the hospital, according to county emergency management officials.
Videos shared on social media early Sunday depicted the extensive damage in Sulphur, showing uprooted trees, debris scattered throughout the area, and buildings with blown-out windows and missing walls. Some structures appeared completely demolished, reduced to rubble piles as a result of the tornado’s wrath.
The aftermath of the tornado outbreak also raised concerns about flash flooding for millions of people across several states. The Oklahoma Health Department reported 100 injuries in local hospitals, including various types of injuries such as cuts, falls, blunt force trauma, transportation-related incidents, and others. The severity of these injuries remains uncertain.
In response to the disaster, the Red Cross Oklahoma announced plans to establish a shelter in Sulphur and collaborate with officials from over a dozen counties to provide immediate assistance to affected residents. As the affected communities begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, the resilience and solidarity of the people in the face of such devastation are evident.