Night of Destruction: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc Across Seven States
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At least 19 tornadoes tore through seven states overnight into Tuesday as the tornado threat persisted into Wednesday in parts of the country. Twisters were reported in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Tennessee. Among the hardest-hit areas was Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, north of Tulsa. The National Weather Service in Tulsa confirmed at least EF3 damage near Barnsdall, with damage surveys ongoing into Wednesday.
One person died and several were injured in Barnsdall, according to Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley. Kelley reported significant damage across much of the small town, including several homes completely flattened and a nursing home destroyed. “We need a lot of prayers,” Kelley told reporters during a press briefing following the tornado.
Approximately 25 people were rescued after an initial search, Kelley stated. One person remains missing as another search effort commenced on Tuesday, he said. Access to the town was closed off as authorities conducted searches. The destructive tornado was the second to hit Barnsdall in recent weeks. “It’s a devastating blow to the people of the community,” Kelley said. “It’s going to be life-changing.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issued the highest possible severe weather risk alert for multiple intense, long-track tornadoes Monday afternoon and evening. The tornado threat extends into the Ohio Valley and parts of the southern Great Lakes on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Approximately 35 million Americans are in the storm zone, from Chicago to Nashville, Tennessee.
The greatest tornado threat will be from St. Louis to Paducah, Kentucky, and from Evansville, Indiana, to Nashville. A tornado warning was issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin until 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. This includes Chicago; Indianapolis; Grand Rapids, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; and Springfield, Illinois. Some tornadoes, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and baseball-sized hail are likely. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged residents to prepare for severe weather—including “potentially significant tornadoes,” flooding, hail, and strong winds—that are expected to hit much of the state in the coming days. “We’ve been through all of this, and we’ve seen how deadly it can be,” Beshear said during a press briefing on Tuesday. “So, we need everyone to act now, to make a plan to keep you and your family safe.”
