A swath of the Midwest braced for more deadly storms Sunday after two days of brutal weather blasted across the Plains, killing at least four people in Oklahoma, destroying homes, and knocking out power to tens of thousands.
The storm system threatened parts of Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa through Sunday night, AccuWeather warned. Officials in Oklahoma reported two deaths, including a 4-month-old baby, in the Hughes County town of Holdenville after storms and tornadoes swept through the area Saturday into Sunday, according to multiple media outlets.
Another death was confirmed in Sulphur, some 80 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, where about 30 of the 100-plus tornado-related injuries in the state were registered. The fourth known fatality was reported in the Love County town of Marietta.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency, freeing recovery funds. A sports bar that took a major hit from a tornado was the site of multiple injuries in Sulphur, where Stitt provided a Sunday afternoon update and said, “Definitely the most damage since I’ve been governor.” His first term began in 2019.
Almost 45,000 homes and businesses remained without power in Texas and Oklahoma by 6:30 p.m. CDT Sunday.
Gulf Coast could be targeted Sunday into Monday
Thunderstorms could develop across the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast on Sunday and into Monday, posing another risk of severe weather hazards such as hail, gusty winds, and flash flooding, AccuWeather said. Localized wind gusts of up to 65 mph will be possible with peak winds up to 75 mph.
“While much of the Plains catches their breath, the Mississippi Valley will become the focus for flooding downpours, strong winds and hail. A tornado or two still cannot be ruled out,” Accuweather senior meteorologist Bill Deger said.
He added that torrential rain is the biggest concern from the system approaching the lower Mississippi Valley and southern states, possibly affecting population centers such as Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans; and Mobile, Alabama.
Nebraska, Iowa could see 60 mph winds, hail
In Nebraska, the National Weather Service office in Omaha said more storms could develop by Sunday morning and that the worst weather was expected Sunday afternoon. A hazardous weather statement for parts of Nebraska and Iowa warned that strong to severe thunderstorms may develop with wind gusts to 60 mph, hail up to the size of quarters “and a tornado or two.”
“We have yet another risk for severe weather today,” the weather service in Omaha posted on social media. “Keep an eye on the weather, especially if you’ll be outdoors.”
The National Weather Service in Des Moines said preliminary reports indicate at least 10 tornadoes struck central Iowa during Friday’s storm front, based on initial damage information. More damage could come on Sunday.
“Severe storms may develop (after 3 p.m.) with some uncertainty,” the agency said on social media. “If it does, large hail is the main threat, with damaging winds and a few tornadoes secondary threats.”
Photos, videos:Tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa leave behind trail of destruction
In Douglas County, devastation but no deaths
In Nebraska’s Douglas County, which includes Omaha, chainsaws buzzed as residents cleared debris. Sheriff Aaron Hanson lauded locals for their efforts but urged the curious to stay away to allow roads to be cleared and cleanup to continue.
“A tornado of this size hits major urban area causes major damage with no confirmed deaths or serious injuries, thousands of people turn out to help,” he said in a social media post. “Is this God reminding us that we need to be kinder to one another?”
Contributing: Reuters