At least 1 dead, multiple people missing in Oklahoma, 50 homes Damaged in Powderly as deadly tornadoes hit 3 states

At least one person was killed and multiple people are missing after tornadoes hit Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas late Friday. Homes were damaged and thousands of homes were without electricity.

City of Idabel county emergency manager, Cody McDaniel stated, “there are multiple people missing, we are trying to determine the extent of damages and injuries, but it’s not good.” A woman in Choctaw County, Oklahoma was injured by a falling tree as she was trying to seek shelter. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says he is praying for those impacted by the tornadoes. 

A preliminary accounting on Friday evening from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center shows nine tornadoes formed in Texas, four in Arkansas, and one in Oklahoma.

Lamar County Judge Brandon Bell declared the county a disaster, a step in getting federal assistance and funding. At least 10 people were injured. All were treated at Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris. Two people are critical, but stable. No deaths have been reported for Lamar County.

The Lamar County community of Powderly was hit hard after a tornado touched down shortly after 4 p.m. and traveled north-northeast through Hopewell, Caviness, Beaver Creek and Powderly 

In nearby Hopkins County at least four houses were damaged according to the county’s sheriff’s office. 

Churches in the areas have opened their doors to serve as shelters for those whose homes were impacted.