NWS meteorologist Chris Franks estimated that 80 tornadoes were reported within the past week. The tornadoes have hit Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Texas.
As a result of those tornados, 5 deaths have been recorded. One of which being a 4 month old infant. This is the worst tornado outbreak of 2024. The tornados have stayed in a steady EF2 category. EF2 tornadoes can produce winds of 111-135 mph. These winds have the ability to partially peel away rooftops and break window glass.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency in 12 Counties. 28,000 of Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. customers were without service from the storms. Police and firefighters are searching areas where people could be trapped.
Pat Woods told The Associated Press that he and his wife took shelter but could hear the tornado coming through. Kim Woods, told The Associated Press that the neighborhood north of them was pretty flattened. Jeff Theulen, the chief deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, said at a news conference Friday evening that 40 or 50 homes were “completely destroyed.”
On Sunday officials estimate that the storms have damaged 300 or more homes and businesses. Tornadoes are a tunnel of violently flowing air. They extend from a thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. They develop when there’s a variation of height rotation in the up drift.
