A deadly storm system swept across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. The powerful storms killed at least 15 people and injured many more, with the full extent of the damage still being assessed.
In Texas, seven deaths were reported in Cooke county, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park. The dead included two children, ages two and five, according to the sheriff. Three family members were found dead in one home near the small community of Valley View, and a firefighter described the scene as “a trail of debris left. The devastation is pretty severe.”
In Oklahoma, at least five people were reported killed, including two in Mayes county. The storms also caused damage in Benton county, where guests at an outdoor wedding were injured. The American Red Cross has opened two shelters for residents displaced by the storms.
In Arkansas, at least five people were reported killed, including a 26-year-old woman who was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey. Emergency workers were still responding to calls and searching for survivors.
Texas StromAerial videos posted online showed destroyed storefronts, water gushing from broken pipes, and fallen trees and fences in front of houses. The smell of natural gas was also prevalent, with broken gas lines a major concern.
Residents woke up to overturned cars, collapsed garages, and widespread damage. As the sun rose, people began to assess the damage, with many left without power or a place to call home. The Oklahoma office of emergency management reported over 24,000 homes and businesses lost power, with extensive damage from baseball-sized hail and multiple injuries at an outdoor wedding.
Meteorologists and authorities issued urgent warnings to seek cover as the storms marched across the region overnight. The National Weather Service warned, “If you are in the path of this storm take cover now!” Emergency crews were responding to multiple calls, including reports of people trapped in their homes.
As the region begins to recover from the devastating storms, residents are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild. The destruction is a grim reminder of the power of severe weather, and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.