Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (2024)

At least five deaths, including one of a 4-month-old child in Oklahoma, were confirmed Sunday from a severe storm that swept through the heartland, spawning multiple tornadoes across four states, including a powerful pair of twisters that touched down in Nebraska, officials said.

Emergency officials in Hughes County, Oklahoma, said the baby was one of four people killed in storms that struck Holdenville. One person died from storm-related injuries at a sports bar in Sulphur that was hit by a tornado, officials said. At least 30 people were injured in Sulphur, including 20 who were at the sports bar, according to officials.

Oklahoma Gov. J. Kevin Stitt confirmed Sunday afternoon that at least four people were killed in the storms that slammed his state.

One person was reported dead in Marietta, Oklahoma, and two people were killed in Ada, Oklahoma, Stitt said.

A state of emergency was declared in 12 Oklahoma counties, authorities said.

Sunday night, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, announced a preliminary determination of "at least" an EF3 tornado in Sulphur and also "at least" an EF3 in Marietta.

President Joe Biden spoke to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on Sunday, according to the White House. The president offered the "full support of the federal government" after Saturday's fatal tornadoes.

Gov. Governor Jim Pillen Sunday night issued an emergency declaration for Douglas, Lancaster and Washington Counties, making the eligible to "receive assistance funding through the state for recovery."

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (1)

A man who was injured and hospitalized when a tornado hit Minden, Iowa, on Friday, has also died, his family confirmed Sunday to Omaha, Nebraska, ABC affiliate KETV.

A tornado tore through Minden in Pottawattamie County around 6 p.m. on Friday, destroying 40 to 50 homes, or about half the town, according to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office. County officials confirmed that three people were injured in the tornado.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds toured the devastated town on Sunday and activated emergency policies.

As communities were left reeling from the devastating twisters, a new tornado watch was issued Sunday afternoon for portions of eastern Texas just as two funnel clouds were confirmed near Rosebud and Freestone, Texas, officials said. The tornado watch will be in effect until 9 p.m. CT.

Sunday marks the third day of the severe weather outbreak across the heartland states. More than 22 million people are under a threat of violent storms Sunday in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (2)

Holdenville, a town of about 6,000 people 77 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, was left reeling after a violent tornado touched down near the city late Saturday amid a statewide tornado outbreak.

A search for victims and an assessment of damage was launched Saturday night after storms passed through the area, Hughes County Emergency Management officials said.

A Holdenville family told Oklahoma City ABC affiliate station KOCO that a relative lost their home in the storm and remained hospitalized Sunday.

At one point, crews searched the damaged Holdenville home for the child before finding the baby, who was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the Hughes County emergency manager.

"My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night," Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement Sunday. "Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage."

A destructive tornado also hit Sulfur, Oklahoma, in Murray County, destroying buildings and scattering debris for miles, authorities said. At least four other people were injured in Sulphur, including three with major injuries, officials said.

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An ABC News crew in Sulphur on Sunday observed several damaged businesses, including one with a collapsed roof and others with broken windows. Several cars were seen flipped over in the downtown area.

"I never dreamed it could do this much damage," Julie Cox, a Sulphur business owner, told ABC News.

Cox's business, Pamper Me Boutique, was destroyed, and she tearfully told ABC News she let her insurance lapse due to the economy and now doesn't know how she will rebuild.

MORE: Months after storm devastated Shreveport, Louisiana, planting the seeds of change: Reporter's Notebook

Tornadoes were reported Saturday across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska, officials said. There were nearly 120 tornado reports in the last two days, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS teams were working Sunday to confirm the tornado reports but cautioned that the numbers are constantly being adjusted as new reports come in and duplicates are removed.

An enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms is in the outlook Sunday from eastern Texas to southern Missouri, as well as the possibility of strong tornadoes, damaging wind and large hail.

While Oklahoma was taking the brunt of the tornado outbreak, Nebraska endured the strongest tornadoes confirmed on Saturday.

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (7)

Preliminary information suggests that two "strong, rare tornadoes" touched down in Douglas County, Chris Franks with the National Weather Service said during a press briefing Saturday. The NWS found evidence of EF-2 and EF-3 tornado damage there following Friday's storms, Franks said.

No fatalities have been reported so far following the Nebraska storms, officials said.

Widespread damage was reported in the Elkhorn neighborhood of Omaha, officials said. New photos emerged Sunday showing numerous destroyed homes in the area.

MORE: Tornadoes by the numbers: Damage reported across 14 states

"For that big of a storm, to have the property damage that was so extensive, without the loss of life," Douglas County Emergency Management Director Paul Johnson said during the press briefing. "It's a tremendous attribute to the city of Omaha."

Another tornado emergency was issued Saturday for Knox City, Texas, where a large and damaging tornado was reported near the town. Baseball-sized hail was also reported with this tornadic storm, officials said.

A tornado was also confirmed Saturday near the intersection of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. The confirmed tornado was eight miles north of Robinson, Kansas.

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (8)

Storms are forecast to continue Sunday across the multistate region with heavy rain expected at times.

A flood watch remains in effect Sunday for a large area in the southern Plains and Ozarks, covering portions of seven states. Flash flood warnings were issued Saturday night and into Sunday morning as many communities reported 2 to 5-plus inches of rainfall and emergency officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads.

ABC News' Jessica Gorman, Vanessa Navarrete and Alexandra Faul contributed to this report.

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials (2024)

FAQs

Baby among 5 people killed as a swarm of tornadoes hits heartland: Officials? ›

At least five deaths, including one of a 4-month-old child in Oklahoma, were confirmed Sunday from a severe storm that swept through the heartland, spawning multiple tornadoes across four states, including a powerful pair of twisters that touched down in Nebraska, officials said.

Has there ever been a F6 tornado? ›

In total, two tornadoes received the rating of F6, but both were later downgraded to F5. Based on aerial photographs of the damage it caused, Fujita assigned the strongest tornado of the 1974 Super Outbreak, which affected Xenia, Ohio, a preliminary rating of F6 intensity ± 1 scale.

How many people died in the super outbreak of 2011? ›

The number of deaths caused by the outbreak was, according to initial estimates, at least 340. The states affected were Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, and New York.

What is the deadliest tornado in US history? ›

1. Tri-State Tornado: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana (1925) On March 18, 1925, the deadliest tornado in U.S. history, the Tri-State Tornado of 1925, tore a 219-mile-long path across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

When was the last F5 tornado? ›

The nation's last EF-5 tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013.

What is a F12 tornado? ›

An F12 tornado would have winds of about 740 MPH, the speed of sound. Roughly 3/4 of all tornadoes are EF0 or EF1 tornadoes and have winds that are less than 100 MPH. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are rare but cause the majority of tornado deaths.

Has there ever been a F12 tornado? ›

Though the F scale actually peaked at F12 (Mach 1), only F1 through F5 were used in practice, with F0 attached for tornadoes of winds weaker than hurricane force.

What state has never had a tornado? ›

Tornadoes have been documented in every U.S. state (not including the non-state territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico) at least once since 1950, although some regions and states are hit by tornadoes far more than others.

Why was 2011 such a bad year for tornadoes? ›

The outbreak was caused by a vigorous upper-level trough that moved into the Southern Plains states on April 25. An extratropical cyclone developed ahead of this upper-level trough between northeastern Oklahoma and western Missouri, and moved northeastward.

What was the largest tornado ever recorded? ›

Officially, the widest tornado on record is the El Reno, Oklahoma tornado of May 31, 2013 with a width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km) at its peak.

What is the scariest tornado? ›

The Tri-State Tornado

On March 18, 1925, the deadliest single tornado in the history of the United States occurred. The enormous storm affected people in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, hence the name. As a result, almost 700 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured.

What is a famous tornado name? ›

1. The Tri-State Tornado (Missiouri, Illinois, Indiana) - 1925. 695 killed and injured more than 2000 on March 18, 1925. We are approaching the centennial of the worst tornado in the history of North America.

What is the heaviest thing a tornado has lifted? ›

What is the heaviest thing a tornado has ever picked up? The Pampa, Texas tornado moved machinery that weighted more that 30,000 pounds. Whether it was slid or picked up, we don't know. A tornado would certainly have no trouble tossing a 2000 -3000 pound van into the air.

What is a F6 tornado? ›

F6. Inconceivable tornado. 319-379 mph. These winds are very unlikely. The small area of damage they might produce would probably not be recognizable along with the mess produced by F4 and F5 wind that would surround the F6 winds.

Which state has the most tornadoes? ›

Texas leads the nation in the number of tornadoes that occur each year on average, followed by Kansas. Texas leads the nation for the average number each year only because of its size.

What country has the most tornadoes? ›

The United States averages over 1,200 tornadoes every year. That's more than any other country. In fact, it's more than Canada, Australia and all European countries combined. Canada actually ranks second on the list for most tornadoes, with an average of 100 per year.

What is an F7 tornado? ›

As the max “F5” is 318 mph, the upper wind-speed range for this tornado is actually slightly beyond an F5, although it is officially listed as an F5. If you extended the “F-scale” based on winds, an F7 would be something like 380 to 450 mph, and would be several miles across.

Is an F6 possible? ›

Basically, the reason why it is not possible is because it is not an existing designation. The Fujita scale only goes to 5. That doesn't mean that tornadoes can't far exceed that threshold, but those that do are still F5, not F6, because there is no end to F5.

What is the highest F scale tornado? ›

The scale ranks tornadoes from F0 to F5, with F0 being the least intense and F5 being the most intense. F5 tornadoes were estimated to have had maximum winds between 261 mph (420 km/h) and 318 mph (512 km/h). F5 damage in Bridge Creek, Oklahoma, from the May 3, 1999, tornado.

What is the highest category tornado ever recorded? ›

Back on May 3, 1999 a powerful F5 (predating the EF scale) tornado registered the highest wind speeds ever measured globally. The tornado affected portions of Oklahoma City and surrounding towns.

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