Sulphur, Oklahoma – A devastating tornado outbreak in Oklahoma has claimed the lives of at least five individuals, including a four-month-old infant. The storms unleashed several large and highly dangerous tornadoes with EF-3 strength or higher, wreaking havoc on the cities of Sulphur and Marietta, as confirmed by the National Weather Service. An EF-3 tornado is characterized by wind speeds of 136 mph or greater.
The toll of the destructive tornado outbreak was confirmed by Oklahoma’s Office of Emergency Management, with three fatalities reported, including one near Marietta and two in Holdenville. Governor Kevin Stitt, upon his visit to Sulphur on Sunday afternoon, sadly announced a fourth casualty in the downtown area. The tragic loss of a four-month-old victim was also reported in Holdenville.
In the aftermath of the tornado in Marietta, four semitrucks overturned on Interstate 35, resulting in one fatality, as reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The National Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, had earlier confirmed the presence of multiple tornadoes, including one near Davenport and several in the vicinity of Sulphur. The small community of Sulphur, home to about 5,000 residents, appeared to have borne the brunt of the devastation.
Videos shared on social media early Sunday depicted extensive damage throughout Sulphur, with uprooted trees and debris strewn about. Buildings in the downtown area suffered significant structural damage, with blown-out windows and missing walls. Some structures were completely demolished, reduced to rubble piles.
The Murray County Emergency Management reported “significant damage” in Sulphur, while patients at Marietta Hospital sought shelter during the storms, which caused damage to the facility. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in Love County. Flash flooding remains a concern for 18 million people from Kansas City to Lake Charles, Louisiana, with some flood warnings expected to persist into Monday.
The Oklahoma Health Department has reported 100 injuries at local hospitals, with 25 individuals suffering cuts or piercing wounds, 30 falling, 16 struck by objects, 17 sustaining transportation-related injuries, and 12 injured by other means. The severity of these injuries remains uncertain. The Red Cross Oklahoma announced the establishment of a shelter in Sulphur and is coordinating with officials across multiple counties to provide assistance to affected residents.