At least 2 dead, catastrophic damage reported after tornadoes tear across Oklahoma

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. – At least two people were killed, and several others were injured after tornadoes ripped across portions of Oklahoma on Saturday during a severe weather outbreak that destroyed buildings and knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers.

The Holdenville Police Department confirmed the deaths to FOX Weather, and FOX 25 in Oklahoma City is reporting that an infant is among the two dead.

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In addition, at least 14 homes were damaged or destroyed, and FOX 25 said Oklahoma City Task Force 1 was deployed Sunday morning to assist in search and rescue operations in the region.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said the state’s Emergency Operations Center remains activated due to the extreme weather, and the OEM remains in constant contact with emergency officials across the state and has been in the process of coordinating response efforts.

The OEM said damage assessments are underway in several areas and will be completed once the all-clear is given after the severe weather threat has passed.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported injuries and power lines down in Carter County at the Flying J truck stop on Michelin Road, and additional injuries were reported in Sulphur.

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Dramatic videos recorded in Sulphur showed damage to several structures in town, with bricks and large tree branches littering the streets after the powerful storms moved through.

Officials in Cotton County reported that 3 to 5 homes were damaged in the Devol area, and numerous trees were brought down during the severe weather. One storm-related crash was also reported, but details on that were not immediately released.

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The Love County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that a tornado was reported in the Marietta area that destroyed several buildings and brought down power lines "everywhere."

"Please stay home and off the roads as it’s causing severe congestion and issues for responders working this disaster," the sheriff’s office pleaded. "Again, please stay home and off the roadways."

The sheriff’s office said significant damage was reported to a Dollar Tree warehouse, Homeland, Dollar General, a nursing home and part of a hospital.

"There is heavy damage to our town and we have every responder out checking homes, businesses, etc.," the sheriff’s office said. "Please be patient as this is a natural disaster and will take time to restore power and get things in some sort of order before cleanup."

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The sheriff’s department said all patients of the hospital were moved from the area, and crews were working to remove the last few people from the nursing home that was damaged.

Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 were closed in Marietta after the tornado, and officials said they were still working to cut power to the lines that were scattered across the road so they could be removed from the area and traffic could once again move freely.