Deadly Tornado Outbreak in Oklahoma Leaves Four Dead and Over 30 Injured as Cities Such as Sulphur and Marietta Suffer Widespread Damage

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At least four individuals lost their lives during a series of strong tornadoes that touched down in Oklahoma, with cities such as Sulphur and Marietta being among the hardest hit areas. The National Weather Service confirmed EF-3 tornadoes struck both locations following severe weather conditions that left behind widespread destruction across North Texas over the weekend. By Sunday morning, individuals commenced searching through debris to assess damages caused by at least 17 twisters that swept through Oklahoma during late Saturday and early hours of Sunday mornings. The state’s Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order declaring a condition of emergency in twelve counties affected by the catastrophe, as crews worked tirelessly to clear debris from roads while inspecting damaged areas across the impacted communities, which caused widespread damages that included power lines and buildings being reduced to piles of rubble. Reports revealed that about thirty people were injured following tornado outbreaks in Sulphur alone, with State Rep Kevin McCall stating: “The loss of life is the most precious thing… And everyone else can be rebuilt – but we cannot restore human lives and wonderful Oklahomans who lost their lives during this storm.” Gary Mensch’s furniture store was among those affected by the tornadoes, with his son sharing that they had been sheltering in a cellar when he witnessed the destruction unfolding across town. “It’s heartbreaking… So last night I was in the cellar and I looked over to my kids and wife, and deep inside it hurt because I knew what’s happening on this side of the town,” said Mensch while describing the extensive damage both inside his store and warehouse facilities following Saturday evening’s tornado outbreak. The National Weather Service revealed that a minimum EF-3 twister hit Sulphur but warned that its rating could potentially increase further during future inspections. A hospital in Marietta was also reportedly damaged, while Interstate 35 at the Texas border remained closed due to overturned vehicles and power lines obstructing traffic flow across the highway following severe weather conditions affecting Oklahoma on Saturday night into Sunday morning hours. As crews continue with clean-up efforts along impact zones hit by tornadoes in Marietta, Geovanny Carreon revealed how he managed to escape being fatally trapped while stuck in his car during a twister that ripped through the town’s streets. “All I remember is flipping over like five times,” said Carreon as he described surviving an ordeal whereby his vehicle was tossed across Interstate 35 by strong winds generated from tornadoes passing overhead, forcing him to seek medical attention at a local hospital due to facial injuries sustained during the traumatic event. Thousands of customers remained without power following Saturday’s stormy conditions affecting North Texas and Oklahoma regions alike as crews continued with clean-up efforts across impacted areas while assessing damages caused by tornadoes that hit communities hard, forcing many individuals into Red Cross shelters on both days before eventually seeking more secure shelter elsewhere. As authorities worked to understand the full extent of damage incurred during Saturday’s stormy conditions and injuries sustained following twister outbreaks across Oklahoma, Annie Mack Vest from the state’s Department of Emergency Management emphasized that their primary focus was centered around ensuring search-and-rescue efforts were adequately supported while providing generator power to impacted communities alongside safe accommodation options for affected individuals.