Severe Weather Leaves 10+ Dead in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

Severe storms caused by powerful tornadoes resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and widespread destruction across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Sunday. The storms obliterated homes and even destroyed a truck stop where people sought shelter during the deadly weather outbreak in the central U.S.

Reports indicated seven deaths in Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado tore through a rural area close to a mobile home park. The storms also caused damage in Oklahoma, injuring guests at an outdoor wedding and leaving tens of thousands without power in the region.

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington described the aftermath as a trail of debris and severe devastation. Among the deceased were two children, ages 2 and 5, along with three family members found dead in a home near Valley View, Texas.

Hugo Parra, a resident of Farmers Branch, shared his harrowing experience riding out the storm with dozens of others in a gas station bathroom. He recounted the fierce winds attempting to rip them from safety and expressed gratitude for their survival.

Several people were transported to hospitals in Denton County, Texas, but the full extent of injuries was not immediately known. Additionally, two people were reported killed in Arkansas, and another fatality occurred in Benton County, Arkansas.

Officials confirmed two deaths in Mayes County, Oklahoma. The destruction continued a tragic month of severe weather across the nation’s midsection, with tornadoes in Iowa claiming lives and causing significant damage.

The severe weather is part of a historically bad tornado season, with April witnessing the second-highest number of tornadoes on record in the country. The storms are occurring amidst heightened awareness of climate change contributing to the severity of weather events globally.

In Texas, a tornado crossed into Denton County north of Dallas, resulting in overturned vehicles and traffic disruptions on Interstate 35. A shelter was opened in Sanger, providing refuge for those affected by the storm.

Sappington mentioned that a highway truck stop with 60 to 80 people inside, including those seeking shelter, remained largely unharmed despite the storm’s impact. Daybreak revealed the full extent of the devastation, with damaged homes, overturned cars, and collapsed structures visible in aerial footage.

As the storms caused power outages and hail damage in Oklahoma, meteorologists issued urgent warnings for residents to seek cover. Emergency crews responded to multiple incidents, including a marina rescue in Dallas and injuries at an outdoor wedding in rural Woods County.

April and May have seen a flurry of tornado activity in the Midwest, with Iowa experiencing a deadly twister last week and other states facing flooding and wind damage. The severe weather system was expected to move east over the Memorial Day weekend, impacting multiple states with rain and further storms.

As the risk of severe weather extended to North Carolina and Virginia, forecasters advised residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.