Easter Sunday turned tragic for many communities in Texas and Oklahoma as a slow-moving storm system brought tornadoes, heavy rain, and large hail. Three people died, including a woman and a 12-year-old boy whose car was swept away in floodwaters in Moore, Oklahoma. Another person was killed in Spaulding when a tornado hit the rural town and destroyed several homes, reported Associated Press.
The national weather service reported 17 tornado events on Saturday, five of which were confirmed in south-central Oklahoma. Some of the tornadoes were classified as EF1, with wind speeds reaching up to 177 km/h.
One small town, still recovering from a tornado in March, was hit again. In Ada, a town of about 16,000 people, roofs were torn off buildings, windows shattered, and trees uprooted.
In Marshall County, emergency crews said a tornado travelled over 10 kilometres, damaging at least 20 homes. Some were completely destroyed. No injuries were reported in that area.
The city of Moore, with around 63,000 residents, experienced what police called a “historic weather event”. Dozens of high-water incidents were reported. Emergency services were stretched thin as they responded to stranded vehicles and rising floodwaters.
In Texas, tornadoes in Parker County damaged several homes. Photos on social media showed roofs ripped off and debris scattered across properties.
As the storm moved northeast on Sunday, the threat shifted to Arkansas, Missouri, and parts of the Midwest. Thousands in Missouri lost power. Forecasters warned that more rain is expected in the plains this week, raising fears of further flooding due to already saturated ground and swollen streams.
