ODEM provides update on recent severe weather, 4 dead, 296 reported injured

Help is pouring into the City of Sulphur after it was hit by an EF3 tornado that left one dead.

UPDATE (4/30/24) — 4 p.m. - The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) released a situation update for the recent severe weather across Oklahoma.

The Governor's State of Emergency has been updated to include additional counties and to include storms that started on April 25. A State of Emergency is in effect for Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc and Wagoner Counties.

The Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed four deaths due to the storms. Two deaths were in Holdenville, one was on I-35 near Marietta and one was in Sulphur.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, area hospitals are reporting 296 injuries due to the storms.

77 of those injuries were from falls. 62 were cuts/pierces. 59 were from being struck by or against something. 59 were transportation related. 34 were other types of injuries. There was also one burn and seven poisonings.

There are about 700 outages statewide. The are with the highest outages are in Carter, Murray and Love Counties.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality reported 12 water and wastewater systems were affected by the storms and flooding, but they have all returned to normal operations now.

Those who want to help with clean-up in Sulphur can check in at the Murray County Expo Center at 730 Cambridge Drive in Sulphur.

For those wanting to donate, cash is best. Monetary donations are the fastest and most effective way of donating support to disaster relief organizations on the ground.

According to ODEM, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said the following roads are impacted by recent storms or flooding:

• Cherokee County:
• Eastbound and westbound SH-80 are closed west of Hulbert due to high water.
• Love County:
• Northbound and southbound I-35 are open at mile marker 15 in Marietta. Drivers should expect delays and lane closures as crews work to clear debris.
• Murray County:
• Eastbound and westbound SH-7 are closed between Woodruff Road and US-177 in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up. 
• Northbound and southbound US-177 are closed between Lawton Avenue and Denney Road in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up.
• Drivers are urged to avoid the area. For drivers who can't avoid the area, a local detour is in place.

The state's price gouging remains in effect. The law prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. The law allows the attorney general to pursue charges against people or businesses that engage in price gouging. For more information or to report a complaint, people can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at 833-681-1895. 

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is advising residents to beware of contractors who go door-to-door, demand upfront payment and use aggressive sales tactics.

Agents from the Attorney General's Office will be visiting communities with storm damage to help prevent contractor fraud. Residents can report fraud to 1-833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

ODEM is asking people to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to help residents with issues they may have with their insurance claims. People can contact OID at 800-522-0071 or at http://www.oid.ok.gov/after.

To view the full update, click here.

FOX23 gets a look at the damage after tornadoes swept through Oklahoma over the weekend.

UPDATE (4/29/24) — 2 p.m. - The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) released a situation update for the severe weather that started on April 27.

A State of Emergency is in effect for Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, and Pontotoc Counties due to the severe storms, tornadoes, straight line winds, hail and flooding.

The Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed four deaths due to the storms. Two deaths were in Holdenville, one was on I-35 near Marietta and one was in Sulphur.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, area hospitals are reporting 100 injuries due to the storms.

25 of those injuries were from cuts/pierces. 30 were falls. 16 were people struck by or against something. 17 were transportation related. 12 were other types of injuries.

ODEM said storms on Sunday night resulted in the following report damage:

• Okmulgee County Emergency Management is reporting Morris Public Schools facilities were damaged. The roof of the gym was peeled back, and the interior has major water damage. There is damage to multiple buses and other school properties. School was canceled on Monday for cleanup.
• LeFlore County Emergency Management is reporting downed trees, with trees across roadways and vehicles west of Hodgen. An awning was pulled off a building downtown.
• Pittsburg County Emergency Management is reporting tree limbs down south of Crowder.

ODEM said there are about 6,800 outages across the state. Areas with the most outages are in are Carter, Love, Johnston, Murray and Hughes Counties.

According to ODEM, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation said the following roads are impacted by recent storms or flooding:

• Cherokee County:
  • Eastbound and westbound SH-80 are closed west of Hulbert due to high water.
• Hughes County:
  • Northbound and southbound SH-48 are closed between SH-9E and US-270, near Holdenville, due to severe weather clean-up.
• Murray County:
  • Eastbound and westbound SH-7 are closed between Woodruff Road and US-177 in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up. 
  • Northbound and southbound US-177 are closed between Lawton Avenue and Denney Road in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up.
• Pittsburg County:
  • Eastbound and westbound SH-31 are closed between Friendship Road and Haywood Road due to high water.
  • Eastbound and westbound SH-63 are closed between Crawley Road and Hopper Road due to high water.

ODEM also said Pittsburg County Emergency Management and Johnston County Emergency Management are reporting closures.

Pittsburg County Emergency Management said the following roads are closed or should be avoided due to high water or flooding conditions: 

• US 69 Business between Oklahoma 113 and McAlester city limits.
• US 270 (Indian Nation Turnpike).

Johnston County Emergency Management said the following roads are closed:

• Egypt Road and Sandy Creek Road are closed at their respective bridges. 
• Greasy Bend and Rock Road from the highway to Bellwood are closed.
• In Tishomingo, flooded streets near or around Penning Park are closed, including Ray Branum Road, West 12th Street at South Kemp Street, West Hamilton Street, South Mickle Street and Parkway Road.

The state's price gouging remains in effect. The law prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. The law allows the attorney general to pursue charges against people or businesses that engage in price gouging. For more information or to report a complaint, people can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at 833-681-1895. 

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is advising residents to beware of contractors who go door-to-door, demand upfront payment and use aggressive sales tactics.

Agents from the Attorney General's Office will be visiting communities with storm damage to help prevent contractor fraud. Residents can report fraud to 1-833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

ODEM is asking people to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to help residents with issues they may have with their insurance claims. People can contact OID at 800-522-0071 or at http://www.oid.ok.gov/after.

To view the full update, click here.

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Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) said one person died in a crash in Marietta, Love County due to the severe weather on Sunday.

According to OHP's report, the deadly crash occurred on Sunday around 9 a.m. on southbound I-35 at mile marker 15 in Marietta.  

OHP said a 2024 Kenworth Semi was driving southbound when it encountered inclement weather and rolled over.

The semi came to a stop on top of the guardrail on its passenger side, and the passenger was ejected from vehicle. 

The driver was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The passenger died on scene.

The identities of the driver and passenger are being withheld during the investigation, OHP said.

FOX23 is tracking the aftermath of a tornado outbreak and severe weather that left 4 people dead and 100 injured across the state, according to officials.

UPDATE (4/28/24) — FOX23 is tracking the aftermath of a tornado outbreak and severe weather that left 4 people dead and 100 injured across the state, according to officials.

8:00 p.m. - The Oklahoma Department is transportation is reporting lane closures and delays from the weather.

Love County:

• All lanes of north and southbound I-35 are open at mile marker 15, in Marietta. Drivers should be prepared for delays and intermittent lane closures Monday as crews work to clear the area of debris.

McIntosh County:

• All lanes of east and westbound US-266 are closed at North 4220 Road, just east of Checotah, due to high water.

Murray County:

• All lanes of eastbound and westbound SH-7 are closed between Woodruff Road and US-177 in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up.
• All lanes of north and southbound US-177 are closed between Lawton Avenue and Denney Road in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area. For drivers who cannot avoid the area, a local detour is in place.

Pittsburg County:

• All lanes of eastbound and westbound SH-31 are closed between Friendship Road and Haywood Road due to high water.
• All lanes of eastbound and westbound SH-63 are closed between Crawley Road and Hopper Road due to high water.

6:49 p.m. - The only Tornado Warning left is in McIntosh County until 7:00 p.m.

6:32 p.m. - The Tornado Warning has ben canceled for Wagoner County.

6:22 p.m. - A Tornado Warning was issued for Haskell, McIntosh, Pittsburg County until 7:00 p.m.

5:58 p.m. - A Tornado Warning was issued for Cherokee, Mayes, Wagoner County until 6:45 p.m.

5:25 p.m. - A Tornado Warning was issued for Haskell, McIntosh and Pittsburg County until 6:15 p.m.

3:45 p.m. - Wagoner County Rural Water has the electric restored to the water plant said power and people can return to using water as normal.

3:41 p.m. - The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) said they are responding after storms across the state.

OSDE said they have been in contact with affected districts and are working on:

• Providing waivers or extensions for testing, expediting claims, providing exemptions for any requirements and extending any deadlines necessary.
• Making the OSDE crisis response team available to any district needing additional support or resources.
• Deploying OSDE staff to substitute in districts with teachers who need to attend to any personal losses and challenges.
• Reaching out to families who receive support from SoonerStart to make sure services continue for infants and toddlers.
• Making sure any other OSDE resources to are available to students and districts in need.

For information about the OSDE crisis team, click here.

3 p.m. - The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) released a situation update for the severe weather that took place Saturday night into Sunday morning.

ODEM said the Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed 2 fatalities in Holdenville and 1 on Interstate 35 near Marietta. Governor Stitt announced a fourth fatality in Sulphur.

ODEM said the Oklahoma State Department of Health is reporting 100 injuries from area hospitals due to the storms.

25 of those injuries were from cuts/pierces. 30 were falls. 16 were people struck by or against something. 17 were transportation related. 12 were other types of injuries.

ODEM also said they have received the following storm reports:

• Hughes County Emergency Management is reporting 14 homes damaged or destroyed in Holdenville. North and southbound lanes of SH-48 are closed between SH-9E and US-270 near Holdenville due to severe weather clean-up.
• Love County Emergency Management is reporting damages in and around Marietta, including damage to the Marietta Hospital. Hospital patients took shelter during the storms and no injuries in the hospital were reported. Southbound I-35 is now open and northbound I-35 is down to one lane at mm 15 in Marietta. Drivers should use extra caution in the area and be prepared for delays or lane closures as crews work to clear debris from severe weather. North and southbound US-77 are closed south of Marietta due to severe weather clean-up.
• Murray County Emergency Management is reporting 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 is reporting four properties with damage, including three homes and one outbuilding.
• Wagoner County Emergency Management reported downed powerlines trapped people in cars in ditches or motels. Numerous damages to structures are reported, including an apartment complex that had its roof removed. Downed trees are causing access issues for responders.

There are about 22,000 power outages across the state, with most of them being in Carter, Love, Johnston, Murray, and Hughes Counties.

The state's price gouging law is now in effect. The law prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. The law allows the attorney general to pursue charges against people or businesses that engage in price gouging. For more information or to report a complaint, people can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at 833-681-1895. 

ODEM is asking people to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

ODEM also said the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to help residents with issues they may have with their insurance claims. People can contact OID at 800-522-0071 or at http://www.oid.ok.gov/after.

To view the full update, click here.

2:50 p.m. - The Superintendent of Sulphur Public Schools said they are working with the City and County Emergency Management on how to move forward. Classes will be canceled Monday, and likely longer, so people can be with their families and damage to school campuses can be assessed. Right now, the High School is without power, several sites, including Sulphur High School, have water damage, every bus has been severely damaged and most campuses and athletic fields have loose debris and broken tree limbs.

1:34 p.m. - Stitt was live in Sulphur, speaking on Saturday's storms that devastated the community.

12:06 p.m. - OG&E announced approximately 24,000 customers are without service and 22,000 customers have had their power restored. They say 700 restoration workers are responding.

11:00 a.m. - Wagoner County Rural Water District 4 announced their water plant is down due to a lightning strike.  They do not have an estimated time for repair and ask customers to preserve water as much as possible.

10:27 a.m. - Morris Public Schools announced they will be closed Monday due to storm damage.

8:09 a.m. - Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency for 12 counties across Oklahoma. The declaration temporarily suspends requirements for size and weight permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies critical to recovery efforts, emergency relief, and power restoration. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days.

GREEN COUNTRY, Okla. — FOX23 is tracking severe weather and its aftermaths across Green Country.

Below is a running list of severe weather updates that FOX23 will continue to update.

2:28 a.m. - PSO is reporting is reporting that there are around 1960 customers without power in the northeastern Oklahoma area.

2:01 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for Delaware County until 2:30 a.m.

1:52 a.m. - Wagoner County Emergency Management said there have been multiple reports of power outages and ask residents to contact your local company to report the power outage. There are reports of debris in the roadway across the county near E. 231st Street and S. 365th E. Ave. Many responders in the area of the City of Wagoner near the SW 15th and Hwy 69 in Wagoner and the Sleepy Traveler in Wagoner. Wagoner County Emergency Management asked residents to stay clear of the area to allow first responders to work.

1:36 a.m. - Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management released a situation update for the storms across the state.

• Hughes County Emergency Management is reporting 14 homes are damaged or destroyed in Holdenville. Highway 9 is blocked due to debris in the roadway. Muscogee Creek Nation is assisting with debris clearing and searching.
• Murray County Emergency management is reporting significant damage in Sulphur and numerous injuries. Search and rescue is ongoing at this time. OHP is responding to apartments in the area where tornado damage occurred.
• Okmulgee County Emergency Management reported the Town of Morris has multiple power lines and power poles down following the tornado. Search and rescue is ongoing and the county is clearing debris from the roadway. 

1:18 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes and Wagoner County until 2 a.m.

1:14 a.m. - PSO is reporting is reporting that there are 3,054 customers without power in the northeastern Oklahoma area.

1:09 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for Haskell, McIntosh, Muskogee and Pittsburg County until 1:45 a.m.

12:50 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for Cherokee, Mayes and Wagoner County until 1:30 a.m.

12:42 a.m. - The City of Tulsa released the following statement on Facebook: "As the storm moves through the #Tulsa area, please try to shelter in place until it passes. If you have to be out, please drive cautiously. Avoid driving through standing water on the roadway as the stormwater system works to move the heavy rain off the roadway."

12:28 a.m. - PSO is reporting is reporting that there are 2,203 customers without power in the northeastern Oklahoma area.

12:27 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for Muskogee, Okmulgee and Wagoner County until 1 a.m.

12:20 a.m. - The Tornado Warning has been canceled for Tulsa, Creek and McIntosh County.

12:14 a.m. - There is a confirmed tornado in Morris, which is in Okmulgee County.

12:09 a.m. - A Tornado Warning has been issued for McIntosh, Muskogee, Creek, Okmulgee and Tulsa County until 12:45 a.m.

12:04 a.m. - Okfuskee County Emergency Management on Facebook said a large tornado was on the ground just east of Bearden and also received a report of people stuck in a cellar south of Okemah.

11:50 p.m. - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Tulsa and Wagoner County until 12:45 a.m.

11:45 p.m. - PSO reported 1,236 customer outages in the Owasso area.

11:42 p.m. - A Tornado Watch has been issued for Chautauqua and Montgomery County until 7 a.m.

11:33 p.m. - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Nowata, Osage, Rogers and Washington County until 12:30 a.m.

11:30 p.m. - There is heavy rainfall and winds up to 60 MPH in Tulsa as storms start to hit the area.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of Green Country until 3 a.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Osage County until 12:00 a.m.

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Creek, Okfuskee and Okmulgee County until 12 a.m.

Drumright Fire Department posted a picture of a metal roof in the middle of the road from Broadway and Harley. Drumright Fire said there is some wind damage in the town and are asking residents to stay clear of the area until they can get it cleaned up.

(Drumright Fire Department)

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said approximately 43,000 outages are reported statewide as of 1:40 a.m. The areas with the highest number of damages are Tulsa, Carter, Murray, Love, Hughes, Pontotoc and Seminole County.

A viewer sent FOX23 a picture of hail in Perry from the storm that hit the area earlier on Saturday.