Severe weather struck the American heartland last weekend, spawning dozens of tornadoes and hitting communities from Texas to Iowa, killing at least five people and leaving thousands of residents currently devastated. They are currently scavenging the rubble of destroyed houses and businesses. I try to get back all my remaining belongings.
At least 46 tornadoes in the EF-0 to EF-3 range have been confirmed, and that number continues to grow as National Weather Service research teams continue to work hard to assess the damage left behind. It is likely that it will continue to increase.
Friday was the most active tornado day of 2024, with the NWS announcing it received 86 tornado reports, the most since March 31, 2023, when 161 were reported.
In addition to dozens of tornado warnings issued in Iowa and Nebraska on Friday, two rare tornado emergencies were issued.
These tornadoes caused devastating damage in cities such as Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Minden, Iowa, and specialized response teams were brought in to help assess the damage.
Man dies while evacuating from storm in Minden
As a giant wedge-shaped tornado inched closer to the town of Minden, Iowa, sirens blared and phones screeched to warn people of the impending danger.
But despite preparations and people seeking shelter, the massive storm left at least one person dead.
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management confirmed that a man died Saturday from injuries sustained during Friday’s tornado outbreak.
Family members told local media that the man was trapped in the basement of his home after the tornado. Paramedics freed the man and rushed him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
At least 4 people, including infant, die in Oklahoma
A tornado ripped through Oklahoma on Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring more than 100.
Two deaths were reported in the Holdenville community; FOX 25 in Oklahoma City reported. One of them was an infant.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said at a news conference Sunday that two more deaths were reported in the state. One was in Marietta and the other in Sulfur, a hard-hit area.
“This is, without a doubt, the worst damage I’ve ever seen since I’ve been governor,” Stitt said Sunday at a news conference in Sulphur. “I’ve seen a lot of damage. I’ve lived in this state for six years, and what I saw in downtown Sulfur was unbelievable.”
As the storm continues to be investigated in Oklahoma, NWS forecasters said a preliminary assessment shows damage consistent with an EF-3 tornado in Sulfur, Holdenville and Marietta.
Mr. Stitt is Presidential order declared a state of emergency on Sunday morning. Saturday’s severe weather affected Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskie, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties.
“A state of disaster emergency is hereby declared in the state of Oklahoma due to severe storms, tornadoes, direct winds, hail, and flooding that threaten the lives and property of the citizens of this state and the peace, health, and safety of the nation,” the executive order said. It was written in
This executive order will remain in effect for the next 30 days.
