Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt toured tornado-damaged areas in downtown Sulphur on Sunday and said it was the most damage he's seen as a result of a tornado in his six years as governor.
"You just can't believe the destruction. Seems like every business in downtown has been destroyed now," said Stitt.
Governor Stitt says the tornado damage in downtown Sulphur is the worst he has seen during his time in office. "It's my sixth year, but what I saw in downtown Sulphur, it's unbelievable," said Stitt.
"We’ll build back stronger than ever before— that’s my promise to Sulphur, Holdenville, and every Oklahoma community facing loss today. The Oklahoma Standard is alive and well," said Stitt.
At least four people are dead after tornadoes hit Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says two people, including a young child died in the town of Holdenville, another person died near Marietta and a fourth person died in Sulphur. Hospitals report at least one-hundred people were hurt during the tornado outbreak that left widespread damage.
Some of the hardest hit areas were Sulphur, Holdenville and Marietta.
Hughes County Emergency Management reports 14 homes are damaged or destroyed in Holdenville. All lanes of north and southbound SH-48 are closed between SH-9E and US-270, near Holdenville due to severe weather clean-up. Muscogee Creek Nation is assisting with debris clearing and searching for area of impact. Seminole and Seminole County Emergency Management and Fire and Sheriff are providing command support. Oklahoma City Task Force One was requested to respond Sunday for Search and Rescue support. Pottawatomie County drone team is assisting with damage assessments.
Love County Emergency Management reports damages in and around Marietta including damage to the Marietta Hospital. Hospital patients took shelter during the storms and no injuries in the hospital are reported. All lanes of southbound I-35 are now open and northbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane at mm 15 in Marietta following severe weather. Drivers should continue to use extra caution in the area and be prepared for delays or intermittent lane closures as crews work to clear debris from overnight severe weather. All lanes of north and southbound US-77 are closed south of Marietta due to severe weather clean-up.
McIntosh County: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports all lanes of US-266 are closed at N 4220 Rd., just east of Checotah, due to high water.
Murray County Emergency Management reports significant damage in Sulphur and numerous injuries. All lanes of SH-7 and US-177 are closed in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up.
Okfuskee County Emergency Management reports four properties with damage including three homes and one outbuilding.
Pittsburg County Emergency Management conducted three swift water rescues; one in the Hartshorne area, one on Hardy Springs Road, and one at New Baker Road. North and southbound US-69B are closed between SH-113 and McAlester due to high water. All lanes of east and westbound SH-31 are closed between New Baker Rd. and Haywood Rd. due to high water. All lanes of east and westbound SH-63 are closed between Crawley Rd. and Hopper Rd. due to high water.
Pontotoc County Emergency Management reports flooding in Ada and streetlights down on Arlington Street, as well as multiple roads washed out and trees across roads in SW Pontotoc County. Vehicles are stranded in the Byng area, and multiple other roads closed due to high water throughout the county.
Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports seven structures damaged in Dale and unincorporated areas of Shawnee along with six vehicles damaged and numerous downed trees and power lines.
Wagoner County Emergency Management reports downed powerlines trapped occupants in cars in ditches or motels. Numerous damages to structures are reported including an apartment complex roof removed. Downed trees are causing access issues for responders
Governor Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency for Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pontotoc counties.
The executive order reads, in part: “Due to impacts from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail, and flooding beginning April 27, 2024 including extensive damage to power lines and infrastructure, it is necessary to assist and expedite all efforts of relief.”
MASS CARE:
The American Red Cross of Oklahoma opened a shelter in Sulphur (Crossway First Baptist Church Sulphur, 2108 W. Broadway Ave.) last night with 25 residents staying overnight, and is opening another shelter in Ardmore today (Christ Community Church Ardmore, 2620 Mount Washington Road). Mass care and feeding responses are ongoing.
Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has two chainsaw teams in Morris and a mass feeding kitchen en route to Sulphur to provide at least 200 meals tonight. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)-trained chaplains are also available for affected residents and first responders.
The Salvation Army is providing first responders in Murray County with meals as of breakfast this morning. Meals for responders in Love County with start with dinner tonight. Each service will run until no longer needed. Emotional and spiritual care workers are also available. The Salvation Army is determining need for clean-up kits and other supplies tomorrow.
DAMAGE REPORTS:
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by the storms to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.
PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT:
The state’s price gouging statute is now in effect. The Emergency Price Stabilization Act prohibits an increase of more than 10% for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. The statute triggers automatically after the governor issues a state of emergency. The law allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging. For more information or to report a complaint, individuals can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit toll free at 833-681-1895.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told residents to beware contractors who go door-to-door, demand upfront payment and use aggressive sales tactics. Agents from the OAG’s office will be visiting communities with storm damage to help prevent contractor fraud, and residents may report fraud to 1-833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.