Videos show devastation as 4 dead, dozens injured in Oklahoma tornadoes (2024)

Videos shared on social media show the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma over the weekend, leaving at least four people dead and injuring roughly 100.

One person died after a tornado tore across Oklahoma Interstate 35 near Marietta, where the powerful storm flipped semi-trucks and destroyed a building, according to an update on Sunday from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODME). Two fatalities, including a baby, were reported in Holdenville where at least 14 homes were damaged or destroyed. The fourth death was confirmed Sulphur, ODME stated.

Hospitals across the state reported more than 100 injuries, including dozens of people who were cut or struck by debris or hurt from falls, ODME said. Authorities are still surveying the storm damage.

While it was unclear at the time of publication how many tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma over the weekend, the Norman office of the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed at least four ripped through its coverage area.

The NWS provided an update on the deadly storms in a Sunday evening post on X, formerly Twitter, confirming the tornadoes that hit Sulphur and Marietta were rated at least EF-3 based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

"Further investigation is needed to determine if the preliminary rating will go higher or not," the NWS said.

Newsweek reached out via email on Sunday to the NWS, the city of Sulphur and the governor's office for comment and an update.

Sulphur, a city of roughly 5,000 people in Murray County, was hit especially hard by a powerful tornado that caused widespread destruction. Videos and images shared on social media show numerous buildings reduced to rubble and roofs torn off houses with damage spanning over a dozen blocks.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt visited the hard-hit city on Sunday afternoon and confirmed that one person was killed in Sulphur and more than 30 people suffered injuries. The Republican governor also described the immense scale of the damage but said

"Definitely the most damage since I've been governor that I've seen," Stitt said. "I've seen a lot of damage. I've been around the state for, this is my sixth year, but what I saw in downtown Sulphur is unbelievable."

In a post on X, storm chaser Jordan Hall shared aerial footage of the extensive damage in Sulphur.

"Drone video from Sulphur, Oklahoma after a strong #tornado hit the town head on last night #okwx," Hall wrote.

Storm chaser Brandon Clement shared a roughly 50-second clip on X that shows structures reduced to piles of rubble as lightning flashes.

"Tornado damage destroyed downtown #Sulphur #Oklahoma #tornado," Clement said.

"You just can't believe the destruction," Stitt said. "It seems like every business downtown has been destroyed here in Sulphur."

Another video shared on X shows the aftermath in Marietta, where one person was killed.

AccuWeather wrote: "A tornado ripped through Marietta, Oklahoma, destroying a Dollar Tree distribution center and flipping semis. #OKwx"

Severe weather was forecast to pummel a range of Hartland and southern states through Sunday night. The deadly storms in Oklahoma added to the numerous reported tornadoes that tore through the mid-section of the U.S. since Friday.

The NWS issued tornado and flood watches, which are still in effect, for parts of eastern Oklahoma, northern and central Texas, northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri.

The weather service warned people in those areas, particularly in Oklahoma, to be wary of flash flooding.

"The primary threat at the moment is flash flooding from multiple rounds of storms, especially in southern Oklahoma," the NWS said in a post on X. "Exercise as much caution as possible to avoid driving through flooded roadways tonight."