One person has been reported dead after a devastating tornado destroyed homes and toppled power lines as it barreled through a small town northeast of Oklahoma City.
The National Weather Service reported that Barnsdall, a town of about 1,000 people located a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa, was leveled shortly after 9:30 p.m. by a tornado that was initially estimated at EF-3 strength or higher on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
“It just hit all of a sudden,” said Joy King, who felt pressure in her ears. According to her, everything was flying round, including her debris.
Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley said the tornado caused one fatality and up to eight injuries in the town. The Tulsa Fire Department said it is conducting a daylight search for one, possibly two, missing persons.
Kelley said the town’s electrical system has been severely impacted, and the main water distribution line has been destroyed.
A Tornado Emergency, the most dire of tornado alerts, was issued for Osage County in Oklahoma on Monday evening as the storm approached.
The NWS referred to a “large and destructive tornado” moving toward Barnsdall and causing catastrophic damage.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, as many as 40 homes were damaged in the Barnsdall area. Multiple reports of natural gas leaks and debris in roadways led to the closure of numerous roads.
The Barnsdall Nursing Home took a direct hit from the tornado on the southwestern side of town.
“Please pray for us,” the facility said on Facebook, stressing all residents were accounted for with no injuries. “They all have been transported to football field house due to gas leak that could not be turned off by emergency personnel … it is chaos in town.”
