Elkhorn, Nebraska – At least four people lost their lives and over 100 sustained injuries after a series of tornadoes wreaked havoc across the South and Midwest over the weekend. Homes and buildings were reduced to rubble in areas hit by severe weather in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa, prompting recovery efforts to begin swiftly. Tragically, all confirmed fatalities occurred in Oklahoma, with one death reported in Sulphur, one adult and a child in Holdenville, and another near Marietta. Reports indicate that Sulphur’s downtown area was nearly flattened, and a hospital in Marietta was left in ruins.
Upon visiting Sulphur, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt expressed shock at the extensive damage, stating that virtually every business in the downtown area had been destroyed. Hospitals in the state reported around 100 injuries, with Sulphur alone accounting for at least 30. Emergency medical services in Hughes County reported treating several individuals with severe injuries, highlighting the destructive impact of the tornadoes in the region.
In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster emergency in Pottawattamie County, where the town of Minden suffered extensive damage from a tornado. Drone footage revealed widespread destruction, with flattened buildings and debris scattered across the area. The National Weather Service documented a dozen tornadoes in Iowa on Friday, half of which were classified as EF-2 with wind gusts ranging from 111 to 135 miles per hour.
Nebraska also experienced significant damage from multiple tornadoes, prompting Governor Jim Pillen to declare emergencies in Douglas, Lancaster, and Washington counties. Reports from Nebraska Public Media confirmed tornado strikes in the Omaha and Lincoln areas, resulting in the destruction of homes and structures. The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska issued a state of emergency following reports of considerable damage to tribal members, local businesses, and public transportation networks.
Eppley Airfield in Omaha sustained damage as a tornado touched down, destroying four hangar buildings storing private planes. While the terminal remained unscathed, the aftermath of the storms left a trail of destruction in its wake. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell extended support to officials in Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska, offering assistance in the recovery and rebuilding efforts. The National Weather Service also documented tornadoes hitting Missouri, Kansas, and Texas over the weekend, underscoring the widespread impact of the severe weather events.