Barnsdall Oklahoma tornado:

The most serious tornado warning, a Tornado Emergency, was issued for Oklahoma’s Osage County. A “large and destructive tornado” was reportedly approaching Barnsdall and wreaking havoc, according to the NWS.

Barnsdall Oklahoma tornado

One person has died after a powerful tornado that raced through a tiny community northeast of Oklahoma City on Monday night wrecked homes and uprooted power lines.

A tornado that was initially rated at EF-3 power or higher on the Enhanced Fujita Scale destroyed Barnsdall, a community of about 1,000 people 40 minutes north of Tulsa, according to the National Weather Service. The tornado struck just after 9:30 p.m.

Joy King described how she felt pressure in her ears that quickly became louder. “It just hit all of a sudden,” she said. Then the door to the storm basement where she was sheltering flew open, sending flying debris everywhere. “I even had it fastened to a floor bolt, and it simply tore.”

 

For around half an hour, King and her small puppy curled up in a corner. She thought about going, but her husband told her there was another cell coming in, so she stayed put.

“We’re alive,” she exclaimed. “Thank God, we’re alive.”

Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley

According to Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley, the tornado struck the town resulting in one fatality and up to eight injuries. According to the Tulsa Fire Department, they are looking for one or perhaps two missing people during the day. The mayor continued, “Thank goodness, there was a high level of weather awareness, which helped prevent further harm.”

According to Kelley, the main water distribution pipe has been wrecked and there has been significant damage to the town’s electricity system.

On Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt will visit Barnsdall as he allocates funds to support healing.

He said, “Keep them in your prayers.”

As the storm moved toward Oklahoma on Monday night, Osage County received a Tornado Emergency warning—the worst kind—for the area. A “large and destructive tornado” was reportedly approaching Barnsdall and wreaking havoc, according to the NWS.

“The town is in chaos.”

The Oklahoma Task Force 1 Tulsa, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and teams from various jurisdictions arrived in Barnsdall overnight to assist in the hunt for survivors, according to Osage County Emergency Management Director Jerry Roberts, who spoke with  Weather.

“We have a large area of complete destruction right now,” Roberts continued.

In the Barnsdall region, up to forty homes were damaged, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Numerous highways were closed as a result of multiple complaints of debris and natural gas leaks in roadways.

On the southwest edge of town, the tornado struck the Barnsdall Nursing Home directly.