Barnsdall, Oklahoma – A person tragically lost their life as tornadoes wreaked havoc across Oklahoma and other states during severe weather outbreaks this week. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the tornado-related death shortly after a massive twister hit Barnsdall on Monday, May 6. This marks the second time in five weeks that Barnsdall has been hit by a tornado, with an EF-1 tornado striking the town on April 1. The storm then moved to Bartlesville, causing significant damage, but fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
The severe weather also impacted Missouri and Tennessee, with tornadoes severely damaging a popular spot, One More Pub and Grub, as well as a local high school in Sullivan, Missouri. In Middle Tennessee, two radar-indicated tornadoes touched down, causing damage in Wilson and DeKalb counties. The National Weather Service is set to assess the damage caused by the storms, as is standard procedure.
Apart from tornadoes, the storms brought strong winds, heavy rain, and large hail to the affected regions. Nearly 245 storm reports were made on Monday, according to the federal government’s Storm Prediction Center. The severe weather outbreak is not yet over, with Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee, along with surrounding states, preparing for an enhanced risk of tornadoes into Wednesday, May 8. These states have already endured multiple tornadoes and severe thunderstorms over the past few months, including a deadly tornado outbreak in late April that claimed five lives, including that of a baby.
The Midwest and Plains states continue to face severe weather, with Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee bracing for potential tornadoes. This ongoing severe weather pattern has resulted in devastation and loss of life in several states. The residents in these areas remain vigilant as they prepare for the potential impact of more severe weather in the coming days.