Tragic Fatalities in Oklahoma Flooding: Region Faces Ongoing Severe Weather Alerts

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — Tragic flooding in Oklahoma has claimed two lives, including that of a child. Meteorologists are warning of more storms, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes across the Midwest and South.

In Moore, just south of Oklahoma City, police dealt with numerous “high-water incidents” over the weekend. On Saturday night, two cars got trapped in floodwaters. One vehicle was swept away under a bridge, leading to the unfortunate discovery of a woman and a 12-year-old boy who did not survive. “This was a historical weather event, impacting roads and creating many high-water situations across the city,” said Moore police.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm and flooding alerts for much of Oklahoma, extending to parts of Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and southern Illinois. Heavy rain and tornado warnings were expected in Arkansas and Missouri.

As Easter Sunday arrived, communities in south-central and southeastern Oklahoma began assessing tornado damage. At least a few thousand residents faced power outages that morning.

Bill Macon, Marshall County’s emergency director, reported a tornado that traveled in a “skipped and jumped” pattern over a six or seven-mile stretch, damaging over 20 homes. Many residents were home during the late-night storm, which toppled large trees and power lines. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.

The community of Ada, which still bore scars from an earlier tornado in March, faced another one on Saturday. The north side of Ada, home to about 16,000 people, suffered damage consistent with an EF1 tornado, based on preliminary assessments. Jason Keck, Ada’s emergency management director, shared a video showing the storm’s destructive path, which affected the North Hills Shopping Center and resulted in substantial damage to buildings and trees.

The recent severe weather in Oklahoma underscores the increasing frequency of such events. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extreme weather occurrences have become more common, reflecting broader climate change impacts. This year, the U.S. witnessed a staggering number of severe weather events, leading to heightened interest in emergency preparedness.

As communities recover, residents are reminded to stay informed and heed emergency warnings. Events like this can be devastating, making local support and recovery efforts crucial for those affected.



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Oklahoma, Floods, Weather, Storms, General news, IL State Wire, TX State Wire, AP Top News, MO State Wire, OK State Wire, Accidents, Bill Macon, Climate and environment, Jason Keck, U.S. news, Tornadoes