Barnsdall, Oklahoma, found itself devastated by a tornado that tore through the small city, destroying homes, toppling trees, and knocking down power lines. This tornado was one of several that hit the central United States amidst a series of powerful storms that stretched into Tuesday. The National Weather Service reported at least 17 suspected tornadoes in seven states.
The tornado ripped through Barnsdall, a town with a population of 1,000, located about 40 minutes north of Tulsa, on Monday night. Nearby Bartlesville also suffered a “direct hit” from a funnel, according to Washington County Emergency Director Kary Cox. Meteorologist Stephen Nehrenz from CBS Tulsa affiliate KOTV shared on social media that the Hampton Inn in Bartlesville took a hit from the tornado, losing most of its roof.
Law enforcement officers and residents in Barnsdall surveyed the damage caused by the tornado in one neighborhood, with footage showing roofs ripped off houses and scattered debris. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area were damaged, with a nursing home also sustaining damage and evacuating patients. Osage County Emergency Management dealt with a natural gas leak and numerous road closures due to debris.
In response to the tornado, emergency officials in Osage County reported numerous injuries and widespread damage in Barnsdall, with many people trapped in their homes. The State Emergency Operations Center in Oklahoma remained activated due to ongoing storm response efforts. High-risk weather warnings were issued for Oklahoma and Kansas, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The storms also affected areas in Kansas, where large hailstones pelted some regions. The Midwest and Plains regions have been hit hard by tornadoes this spring, with Oklahoma facing significant challenges in dealing with the aftermath of multiple tornadoes. Across the U.S., millions of people, schools, and hospitals faced the threat of tornadoes, indicating a widespread weather concern.