Severe storms wreaked havoc across the Midwest on Tuesday, unleashing heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes in their wake, just a day after a devastating twister tore through a small Oklahoma town, claiming at least one life.
Tornadoes were sighted after sunset on Tuesday in various parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Additionally, sections of Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri were placed under a tornado watch by the National Weather Service.
Forecasters cautioned that the storms might persist late into the night, bringing the risk of more tornadoes and large hail.
In southwestern Michigan, two tornadoes ravaged the city of Portage near Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office reported numerous downed trees and power lines in Portage and nearby Pavilion Township. While significant damage to homes and businesses was reported, there were thankfully no immediate reports of serious injuries, according to a Portage city spokesperson. However, approximately 15 to 20 people sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals, as per a CBS News report.
Social media posts revealed substantial damage to a FedEx facility in the Portage area. A spokesperson for FedEx confirmed the damage but stated that there were no serious injuries among their staff. They assured that efforts were underway to evaluate the damage and mitigate any potential impact on services.
Portage’s Director of Public Safety assured that all FedEx employees were safe and none were trapped beneath the debris of the building.
More than 20,000 residents lost power in the Portage area, with power restoration estimated to extend until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Consumers Energy.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass counties following reports of “large hail up to four inches in diameter and at least two confirmed tornadoes,” she stated.
Overall, at least 22 tornadoes were reported across seven states in the Great Plains and Central U.S. from Monday night into early Tuesday. The threat of severe weather was expected to persist into Wednesday, particularly in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, according to meteorologist Alex Wilson from The Weather Channel.
Monday night’s deadly tornado in Oklahoma wreaked havoc on the 1,000-person town of Barnsdall, located about a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa. Authorities had issued warnings about the “large and life-threatening tornado” heading towards Barnsdall and the nearby town of Bartlesville.
This was the second tornado to strike Barnsdall in five weeks, following one on April 1 that caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley confirmed one fatality and one person missing after Monday’s tornado. Authorities conducted a secondary search for the missing individual on Tuesday.
The storm caused extensive damage to 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area, as reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Aerial footage depicted homes reduced to rubble, vehicles tossed, and widespread destruction across the town.
First responders rescued about 25 people, including children, from collapsed buildings, with approximately six individuals sustaining injuries.
In Bartlesville, Kary Fox of the Washington County Emergency Management urged residents to avoid damaged areas to facilitate rescue and assessment efforts.
The Barnsdall Nursing Home evacuated residents due to a gas leak caused by storm damage. Fortunately, all residents were safely relocated to other facilities.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, after surveying the tornado’s aftermath, confirmed it was classified as a violent tornado with wind speeds reaching up to 200 mph. He pledged $45 million in state funds to aid affected communities.
The impact of the storms was evident at the Hampton Inn in Bartlesville, where debris littered the surroundings and vehicles suffered extensive damage.
These storms hit Oklahoma while areas like Sulphur and Holdenville were still recovering from a recent tornado that claimed four lives and left thousands without power.
The entire week was forecasted to bring stormy weather across the U.S., particularly affecting the eastern U.S. and the South. Major cities like Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati were expected to experience severe weather, impacting over 21 million people.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Oklahoma remained activated to coordinate storm response efforts.
In western Oklahoma, farmer and rancher Monte Tucker took precautions to protect his property from hail, underscoring the resilience and preparedness of local communities in the face of severe weather threats.
The elevated risk of severe weather was attributed to a rare combination of factors, including strong winds from Colorado and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
Meanwhile, floodwaters in the Houston area began receding after heavy rainfall inundated southeastern Texas, leading to numerous high-water rescues.
