Oklahoma Tornadoes Strike as Storms Hit Central & Southern U.S.
TL/DR –
Severe storms and tornadoes have caused destruction and injuries in the central United States, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Tennessee. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a rare “high risk” severe storm threat and warned of potentially catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life. Significant tornadoes are expected to occur along potentially long paths, with more than 6 million people under tornado watches and a possibility of flooding due to heavy rain.
Central US Struck by Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Severe storms swept across the central US early Tuesday, with a tornado causing significant damage in Oklahoma and large hail reported in Kansas. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (NWS SPC) had earlier issued an unusual “high risk” severe storm threat warning for powerful thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds.
Monday evening saw 15 tornadoes reported in the central US. Seven tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, with two each in Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota, one in Nebraska and one in Tennessee according to the Weather Service. Kansas experienced baseball-sized hail. The extent of the damage is unclear, with further severe weather, including potential tornadoes, expected.
A tornado destroyed a third of the small city of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, damaging buildings and causing multiple injuries. Victims were transported by about 20 ambulances, said Jerry Roberts, Osage County’s emergency management director. The same tornado also damaged a nursing home in Barnsdall, according to Steven Cobb, a meteorologist from the NWS office in Tulsa.
Tornado Emergency Issued in Oklahoma
The NWS issued a rare tornado emergency alert, indicating catastrophic damage and severe threat to human life, for parts of Osage County and Washington County in Oklahoma. The tornado destroyed power lines, causing power outages in whole towns, said Cobb. It touched down near Barnsdall around 9:30 p.m. and moved northeast toward Bartlesville, lifting off the ground there around 10:15 p.m.
Monday’s tornado, which appeared more powerful than the one last month and rated an estimated 2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, left significant damage in its wake. In Bartlesville, rescuers extracted trapped individuals from a Hampton Inn and worked to restore downed power lines, according to the city of Bartlesville. Minor injuries were reported, but no further details were given.
Millions Under Tornado Watch
Over 6 million people across Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas were under tornado watch early Tuesday. Around 12:15 a.m. local time, a tornado warning was issued for Oklahoma City and areas to its east.
“Particularly Dangerous Situation”
The NWS described the situation in Oklahoma as “particularly dangerous” on social media. The Storm Prediction Center predicted its highest risk level for the first time since 2023 when 131 tornadoes formed across 11 states in the Midwest and the South.
Forecasters raised the risk level Monday morning, citing evolving conditions across the Plains that increased the possibility of multiple significant tornadoes. “Anybody in the affected areas should have a safety plan,” advised an expert.
Potential Flood Risk
Heavy rain and a potential flood risk are also expected in parts of eastern Kansas, Nebraska, western Iowa, and Missouri as a front moves out of the Rockies, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). The WPC also warned of a slight risk of excessive rainfall over central parts of the US, which could result in flash flooding.
This severe weather follows a week after more than two dozen tornadoes were reported and at least five people were killed in Oklahoma and Iowa. The threat is not yet over, with more storms forecasted for the coming days, primarily on Wednesday, from Texas to Ohio.
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