The number of confirmed tornadoes from the weekend outbreak has swelled to more than 100 as recovery efforts continue across the US heartland.
Severe weather struck the US heartland over the weekend, spawning dozens of tornadoes from Texas to Iowa and killing at least five people, while thousands of residents are now in the process of sifting through the debris of destroyed homes and businesses. Efforts are being made to recover whatever items are left.
Since the event began Thursday, there have been more than 100 confirmed tornadoes ranging from EF-0 to EF-4, and that number may rise as National Weather Service survey teams are still assessing the damage left at full strength. Have been. Back.
Drone video shows Sulphur, Oklahoma, almost unrecognizable after being hit head-on by the tornado
Images by Christy Morris, owner of The Mix Mercantile, show the destruction after the Sulphur, Oklahoma tornado on April 28, 2024.
(Christy Morris)
Friday was the most active tornado day of 2024, with the NWS saying it received 88 tornadoes reported — the most in a single day since March 31, 2023, when 161 tornadoes were reported.
In addition to the dozens of tornado warnings issued Friday in Iowa and Nebraska, two rare tornado emergencies were also issued.
Those tornadoes caused devastating damage in cities like Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Minden, Iowa, and special response teams have been brought in to help survey the destruction.
An Iowa soldier survived a tornado in a car, fixed the window and continued to help victims
One person dies while escaping storm in Minden
Fox Weather’s Brandy Campbell visits destroyed Minden, Iowa, the day after a tornado hit the town. She talks to residents Sherry Guerrero and Randy Davis about how they survived. Governor Kim Reynolds states that Mayor Ken Zimmerman also survived.
Sirens were blaring and phones were screeching, alerting people to the dangers that were coming as a massive tornado approached the town of Minden, Iowa.
But despite preparations and people seeking shelter, the monstrous storm killed at least one person.
Violent, wedge-shaped tornado devastates rural communities in Iowa: ‘Prayed everything will be okay’
Damage after a tornado struck Elkhorn, Nebraska on April 26, 2024.
(Nicole Valdes/Fox Weather)
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management confirmed that one person died Saturday from injuries sustained during Friday’s tornado outbreak.
Family members told local media that the man was trapped in his basement after the tornado. First responders were able to free the man and take him to a local hospital, but he died from his injuries.
Areas around Omaha, Nebraska devastated by major tornado
At least 4 dead, including infant, in Oklahoma
The first light tornado damage was observed in Sulphur, Oklahoma on April 28, 2024. Drone footage shows businesses and homes destroyed, as well as cars tossed and overturned by an intense tornado that tore through the city.
At least four people died and more than 100 others were injured during Saturday’s tornado outbreak in Oklahoma.
Two deaths, including an infant, were reported in the Holdenville community. A GoFundMe has since been set up to benefit the family who are now grieving the loss of their child.
“Words cannot express the tremendous loss this family has suffered,” the GoFundMe reads. According to the fundraiser, the family also lost their house, two vehicles and all their belongings.
Fox Weather’s Katie Byrne reports from Holdenville, Oklahoma, a community in shock after Saturday’s tornado killed a child and a man. Flooding rains following the tornado have left the ground wet and burials of victims will be delayed.
Fox Weather correspondent Katie Byrne was in Holdenville and spoke to the family of one of the victims, Jimmy Johnson. They told him that he was able to protect his niece and nephew, who were at home with him when the tornado destroyed it.
A funeral home is handling both funerals for the bereaved families, but said recent rains have made the ground too wet to hold those funerals yet.
“We’re just here to survey the land and see what we need to do for the people who have died,” said Anthony Wood. “It looks like someone detonated a bomb.”
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This image shows major damage to a building in Marietta, Oklahoma, on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
(KTVT/Fox Weather)
At a news conference Sunday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said the state had reported two additional deaths — one in Marietta and the other in the hard-hit community of Sulphur.
“It’s definitely the most damage I’ve seen since I’ve been governor,” Stitt said during a news conference in Sulfur on Sunday. “I’ve seen a lot of damage. I’ve been all over the state, this is my sixth year, but what I saw in Sulfur City is unbelievable.”
The tornado that hit Sulfur devastated the entire downtown area, destroying nearly every business on West Muskogee Avenue. Fox Weather correspondent Brandi Campbell was in the devastated community on Monday and said buildings were continuing to collapse due to the winds and the area was closed to the public for safety reasons.
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Video recorded in Marietta, Oklahoma, shows the devastating damage caused by a tornado that struck the community on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Tornado surveys continue in Oklahoma, but NWS forecasters said initial assessments found damage consistent with EF-3 tornadoes in Sulfur and Holdenville. NWS officials said EF-4 damage was found in Marietta.
Stitt issued an executive order Sunday morning declaring a state of emergency in Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties after the severe weather on Saturday.
Video recorded on Interstate 35 in Marietta, Oklahoma, shows damage caused by the tornado that struck on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
“It is hereby declared a Disaster Emergency caused by severe storm, tornado, straight line winds, hail And whereas floods in the State of Oklahoma threaten the life and property of the people and the public peace of this State, Health And Security“The executive order read.
The executive order will remain in effect for the next 30 days.
