1 dead after catastrophic tornado in Barnsdall, Oklahoma

BARNSDALL, Okla. — One person has died after a devastating tornado destroyed homes and downed power lines as it moved through a small town northeast of Oklahoma City on Monday evening.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that Barnsdall, a town of about 1,000 residents located 40 minutes’ drive north of Tulsa, was leveled by a tornado initially estimated to be EF-3 or higher in strength around 10 p.m the Enhanced Fujita scale.

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The nearby town of Bartlesville was also heavily damaged by the same tornado. Several injuries are reported, although the exact number is yet to be confirmed. The damage assessment will continue on Tuesday.

DEADLY TORNADO sweeps through BARNSDALL, Oklahoma, as severe weather causes catastrophic damage across the central US

A Tornado emergencythe worst tornado warning was issued for Osage County in the year Oklahoma on Monday evening as the storm approached. The NWS spoke of a “large and destructive tornado” moving toward Barnsdall, causing catastrophic damage.

Osage County Emergency Management Director Jerry Roberts told FOX Weather that Oklahoma Task Force 1 Tulsa, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and crews from numerous jurisdictions, arrived in Barnsdall overnight to help search for survivors.

“Right now we have a large area of ​​complete destruction,” Roberts added.

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According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, up to 40 homes were damaged in the Barnsdall area. Multiple reports of natural gas leaks and debris on roads led to the closure of numerous roads.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said the city’s nursing home was damaged and patients were evacuated to nearby facilities. None of the nursing home patients suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment, state officials said.

The tornado emergency for Barnsdall was only the second ever issued by the NWS in Tulsa and one of 13 tornado warnings that office issued Monday. It was the first tornado to hit Barnsdall since 2008.