Four dead after multiple tornadoes hit Oklahoma
(MURRAY COUNTY, Okla.) Four people have been confirmed dead after a tornado outbreak in Oklahoma over the weekend, resulting in Governor Kevin Stitt issuing a State of Emergency for 12 counties.
Counties under the emergency include: Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pontotac.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Stitt's request for disaster assistance was granted by the White House for Hughes, Love, and Murray Counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman is still assessing damage but has confirmed at least four tornadoes in the state.
The NWS says a tornado believed to be at least EF3 touched down in Sulphur. Marietta was initially reported to have experienced an EF3 tornado, but the NWS in Norman upgraded that tornado to a low end EF4. Stillwater was hit with an EF0 tornado and Newkirk was also hit with an EF0 tornado.
Hughes County Emergency Management has reported that 14 homes in Holdenville have been damaged or destroyed.
Information from NOAA’s NWS Storm Prediction Center can be found here regarding damage reports and tornadoes.
Two of the tornado deaths occurred in Holdenville, a third fatality occurred on Interstate 35 near Marietta, and a fourth death occurred in Sulphur.
According to hospital reports from across the state, at least 100 people were injured in relation to the weekend storms.
There are also numerous reports of damage from wind and hail.
The American Red Cross of Oklahoma has opened shelters to assist residents impacted by the storms. A shelter at Crossway First Baptist Church, located at 2108 W. Broadway Ave in Sulphur, is now open. Another shelter at Christ Community Church located at 2620 Mt. Washington Road in Ardmore is also open.
Residents who have experienced damage to their homes or businesses are asked to report them to them online by filling out this form.
Residents in counties where disaster assistance has been approved can report damage and find the forms on FEMA's website.
This story has been updated to include additional information from the NWS and OEM.
