(Photo : Michael Connolly Thomas / WEATHER TRAKER /TMX)
A massive tornado crosses a road in Harlan, Iowa on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
A slow-moving, but potent late April storm system produced an outbreak of deadly tornadoes and other severe weather across Oklahoma and other central U.S. states.
The storms also dumped 4 to 8.75 inches of rain which caused severe flash flooding. Hail up to 3 inches in diameter and severe wind gusts up to 60 mph were also reported by the National Weather Service.
At least five deaths across the region, including a young child, were blamed on the storms. More than 100 people were injured.
In Oklahoma there were two fatalities in Holdenville, one death on Interstate 35 near Marietta and another fatality in Sulpher.
Another death was reported Sunday in Iowa, where officials in Pottawattamie County said a man critically injured during a tornado Friday had died, the Associated Press reported.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order Sunday declaring a state of emergency in 12 counties due to the fallout from the severe weather. The disaster emergency covered Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties.
"We'll build back stronger than ever before- that's my promise," Stitt said after a tour of some of the damaged areas.
We’ll build back stronger than ever before— that’s my promise to Sulphur, Holdenville, and every Oklahoma community facing loss today.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) April 28, 2024
The Oklahoma Standard is alive and well. pic.twitter.com/4iUTTN2stQ
A tornado went right through downtown Sulphur. It ripped apart buildings and flipped cars. It hit a bar that had patrons inside.
The tornado near Holdenville damaged or destroyed more than a dozen homes.
A tornado outside of Omaha, Nebraska homes and businesses Saturday before crossing into Iowa.
Powerful storms have hit Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas since Friday.
The tornado damage began Friday afternoon near Lincoln, Nebraska. An industrial building in Lancaster County collapsed with 70 people inside.
Several people were trapped, but everyone was rescused.
