Oklahoma, known for its unpredictable and often violent weather patterns, was once again struck by tragedy as a series of tornadoes tore through the state, leaving at least five people dead, including an infant. The devastation caused by these natural disasters serves as a stark reminder of the power and destructive force of Mother Nature.
The aftermath of these tornadoes has left communities in shock and mourning as they begin to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. The loss of life, especially that of a young child, is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of human existence in the face of such overwhelming forces.
Multiple large and extremely dangerous tornadoes were reported on the ground simultaneously overnight Saturday across parts of Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.
Two deaths occurred in Holdenville, and the third near Marietta on I-35, according to Keli Cain, public affairs director for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
A fourth death happened in the hard-hit town of Sulphur in Murray County, Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt said at a Sunday news conference.
The deadly weather in Oklahoma added to the dozens of reported tornadoes that have wreaked havoc in the nation's midsection since Friday. Another death was reported Sunday in Iowa, where officials in Pottawattamie County said a man critically injured during a tornado Friday had died.
In Oklahoma, authorities said the tornado in Sulphur began in a city park before barreling through the downtown, flipping cars and ripping the roofs and walls off of brick buildings. Windows and doors were blown out of structures that remained standing.
The morning after the storm, the owners of the Mix Mercantile, a boutique selling clothing, home goods and more, found their business in a state of disaster. Owner Christy Morris shared the images below of what she found in the daylight.
Images from Google Street Maps taken before Saturday show what the shopping and dining area looked like before the tornado tore the buildings apart.
Oklahoma was also affected by the unstable air and thunderstorms that marched eastward Friday, but the weather service listed no confirmed tornadoes in the state.
Among Friday's tornadoes getting a preliminary assessment by the weather service were two near Waco, Texas — one believed to be at EF2 strength — and the other assessed at EF1 (86-110 mph)
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