Tornadoes and flash flooding struck Oklahoma and Texas over the Easter weekend, causing multiple fatalities, severe structural damage, and widespread power outages. The storm system brought torrential rainfall, large hail, and destructive winds to already vulnerable communities.
As parts of the south-central United States braced for continued severe weather, emergency services across Oklahoma and Texas began damage assessments following a series of violent storms on Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 17 tornado events were reported across the region, five of which were confirmed in south-central Oklahoma.
The deadly storm system was part of a slow-moving pattern that parked over the area, bringing extended periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity. Communities still recovering from earlier tornadoes were hit again, compounding the destruction and complicating recovery efforts.
Tornadoes Damage Communities Already in Recovery
Multiple tornadoes, including several categorized as EF1 with wind speeds of up to 110 mph, caused significant damage across Oklahoma. According to the Hughes County Emergency Management, one person was killed in Spaulding after a tornado destroyed several homes and caused severe damage to infrastructure, including numerous road washouts.
In Ada, a town of approximately 16,000 residents, another EF1 tornado tore through the northern district, damaging buildings, uprooting trees, and knocking out power lines. Social media footage showed rooftops torn from businesses, shattered storefronts, and debris-strewn streets.
Jason Keck, director of emergency management in Ada, stated the storm had left “a lot of damage to buildings, power lines and trees” along a track that reached a local shopping center.
Further south, in Marshall County, emergency crews reported at least 20 homes either damaged or destroyed after a tornado touched down. Emergency director Bill Macon described how the tornado “skipped and jumped around” a rural area, downing large trees and dozens of utility poles, though no injuries were reported in that instance.
Flash Flooding Leads to Multiple Fatalities in Oklahoma
Heavy rainfall added to the storm’s toll, with 2 to 4 inches falling over parts of north-central Texas and central-eastern Oklahoma between Saturday and Sunday. In Moore, Oklahoma, a city of about 63,000 south of Oklahoma City, flash flooding resulted in two fatalities.
According to Moore Police, a woman and a 12-year-old boy died after their vehicle was swept under a bridge during one of dozens of reported high-water incidents.
Police described the event as a “historical weather event” that disrupted transport and led to numerous rescues. Authorities confirmed that several people were saved from stranded vehicles, but not all could be reached in time.
By Sunday evening, the storm system had moved northeast, affecting states including Arkansas, Missouri and parts of the Midwest. According to the NWS, additional rainfall this week could pose renewed flooding risks, especially in areas where ground saturation and swollen streams remain problematic.
