Deadly Storms Rip Through Texas, Oklahoma & Arkansas
At least nine people have been killed as powerful storms tore across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Sunday. Homes were smashed to pieces, and a truck stop sheltering drivers was destroyed in the latest deadly weather blast to sweep through the central US.
Texas Bears the Brunt: Five Dead
Five fatalities occurred in Texas near the Oklahoma border, where a violent tornado ripped through a rural area on Saturday night. Sheriff Ray Sappington described the scene as “a trail of debris left” with “pretty severe” devastation.
Among the dead were three family members found in a single home close to the community of Valley View. Multiple people were rushed to hospitals by ambulance and helicopter in Denton County, although injury details remain unclear.
Arkansas and Oklahoma Also Hit Hard
Arkansas officials reported at least two deaths, including a 26-year-old, with emergency crews still responding to ongoing calls. Oklahoma’s Mayes County confirmed two deaths, but further details have yet to emerge.
Mike Dunham, deputy director of emergency management in Mayes County, warned: “We are still on search and rescue right now. This is a very active situation.”
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
The tornado crossed into Denton County north of Dallas, overturning tractor-trailers and blocking Interstate 35. A shelter opened in the town of Sanger as at least 60 to 80 people at a highway truck stop took cover—luckily, with no serious injuries reported.
Daylight revealed widespread destruction: uprooted roofs, demolished homes, and overturned vehicles. Thousands of homes and businesses in Oklahoma lost power amid baseball-sized hail. An outdoor wedding in Woods County was hit with multiple injuries.
Storms to Continue: Urgent Warnings Issued
The National Weather Service issued urgent alerts across the region: “If you are in the path of this storm, take cover now!” Emergency crews in Dallas responded to multiple victims trapped near a marina. Roads blocked by debris and downed power lines forced towns like Claremore, Oklahoma, to shut down.
The severe weather system is expected to push east over Memorial Day weekend, threatening Indiana’s Indianapolis 500, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and eventually North Carolina and Virginia on Monday.
