Moore, Oklahoma—Over 45 million people across parts of the southern and midwestern U.S. faced threats from severe weather on Easter Sunday, a continuation of perilous conditions that have resulted in flooding and tornado warnings from East Texas to southeastern Iowa and Illinois. The weekend storms have had tragic repercussions, including the deaths of two individuals in Moore, a suburb outside Oklahoma City, as confirmed by local authorities.
In a particularly harrowing incident in Moore, an adult woman and a 12-year-old boy lost their lives when their vehicle, along with about a dozen others, was trapped by rising floodwaters that surged over road curbs. The vehicle they were in veered off the road and became submerged under a bridge, police detailed. Despite rescue efforts, they were the only ones not saved.
The Moore Police Department described the situation as a rare weather event that caused numerous high-water incidents, expressing gratitude towards neighboring agencies for their assistance with the rescues and extending their sympathies to those affected by the tragedy.
As the city grappled with the ongoing crisis, emergency teams conducted extensive searches along a local creek where the vehicle was washed out. Professionals utilized dive teams, ground crews, and aerial drones, and dramatic efforts included a rescuer being lowered by harness into the rushing creek in a desperate attempt to reach the submerged vehicle.
Elsewhere in the region, continuing storms prompted multiple water rescues, as some residents were seen navigating deeply inundated streets next to partially submerged vehicles. The National Weather Service in Norman indicated that southern Oklahoma might see worsening conditions, with flash floods expected to escalate over the night.
The severe weather was not confined to Oklahoma. The Storm Prediction Center issued warnings for East Texas through the Ozarks and the mid-Mississippi Valley, suggesting a potential for damaging winds, significant hail, and heightened tornado risks. Tornado watches were already in place across several parts of Eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas.
In Montague County, Texas, roughly 80 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, a strong storm led to several high-water rescues as boat crews worked to retrieve people from flood-stricken neighborhoods. Despite the severity, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant property damage in the area.
Forecasters expressed hope that the worst of the weekend’s storms would subside by Monday, potentially easing the risk of further severe weather complications. The recent series of storms highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of extreme weather events on communities, underscoring the importance of preparedness and swift emergency responses to mitigate damages and prevent loss of life.