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Video shows damage from tornado that hit Barnsdall, Oklahoma
At least one person was killed after a tornado ripped through Barnsdall, Oklahoma, about 40 miles north of Tulsa, late Monday night.
A tornado wreaked havoc on a small city in northeast Oklahoma, causing destruction to homes, toppling trees, and knocking down power lines.
This twister was one of several that emerged in the central United States during a series of intense storms extending into Tuesday.
The tornado tore through Barnsdall, a town of around 1,000 residents located about a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa, on Monday night.
Nearby Bartlesville also suffered significant damage from a funnel cloud, as confirmed by Kary Cox, the Emergency Director of Washington County.
The Hampton Inn in Bartlesville was struck by the tornado, resulting in substantial damage to its roof. Initial reports suggest that most individuals in the area are safe, thankfully.
Kary Fox, from the Washington County Emergency Management, reported, “Bartlesville took a direct hit from a tornado. I urge everyone to avoid the roads and stay away from the damaged areas. Traffic congestion is hindering our assessments and ability to check on residents for potential injuries.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials and locals assessed the damage in a Barnsdall neighborhood amidst flashes of lightning and heavy rainfall, as depicted in local TV news footage. The tornado had torn off the roof of a house, hurling it back onto the street.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, around 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area sustained damage, with the state Department of Health reporting that a nursing home was also damaged and patients were being evacuated.
Osage County Emergency Management further reported a natural gas leak and multiple road closures due to debris. They confirmed numerous injuries and widespread damage in Barnsdall, with many individuals believed to be trapped in their homes.
Responding to the situation was challenging due to downed power lines and concerns about potential gas leaks.
County officials are actively working to clear the roads for emergency responders. Search and rescue operations were initiated at the Osage Nation Reservation, as mentioned by authorities.
Approximately 17,000 homes and businesses were without power in Oklahoma as of 5:45 a.m. local time.
