Multiple Tornadoes Reported In Severe Weather Outbreak

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management released an update Sunday afternoon following the tornadic storm system in the state last night.

OEM reiterated the State of Emergency for 12 counties in the state including Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc counties.

The storm brought all elements of severe weather; tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail and flooding.

OEM says the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed three storm-related fatalities, two in Holdenville and another on I-35 near Marietta. Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a fourth fatality in Sulphur, OEM reports.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health confirmed 100 injuries at area hospitals to OEM. There were 25 people who were cut or pierced, 30 fell, 16 were either hit by debris or thrown around, 17 injuries were transportation-related and

as of 3 p.m., there are approximately 22,000 power outages reported in the state, mostly in Carter, Love, Johnston, Murray and Hughes counties.

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Tornadoes and severe storms impacted much of Oklahoma on Saturday as a wave of severe weather moved across the state from mid-morning well into the night.

That includes a tornado that formed and moved through the southwest part of the Oklahoma City metro area, including parts of Norman, and a second tornado further south in Sulphur.

Murray County Emergency Management reported a significant amount of damage in Sulphur and numerous injuries.

At 1:30 a.m., Oklahoma Emergency Management reported that there were about 43,000 power outages reported statewide. OEM said that the areas with the "highest number of damages" are Tulsa, Carter, Murray, Love, Hughes, Pontotoc, and Seminole counties.

Because of the significant damage across the state, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency declaration for 12 counties early Sunday.

The counties included in that declaration include Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc.

The declaration suspends the rules for "size and weight permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies critical to recovery efforts, emergency relief, and power restoration," according to a press release issued Sunday morning.

Related Story: Heavy Damage, Several Injuries Reported In Sulphur After Tornado

The situation as of 9:30 p.m. was serious enough that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol closed parts of I-35 in Norman. The storm moved northward and is impacting Oklahoma and Lincoln counties. After 10, a tornado was reported near Ardmore. Ardmore Emergency Management reported damage and power outages in the city.

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4. Brief Tornado Causes Damage In Hillsdale
5. OG&E: Thousands Without Power From Weekend Storms

Events Canceled Due To Weather In Oklahoma:

1. The Norman Music Festival on April 27 has been canceled due to possible severe weather.
2. The Festival of Arts in Oklahoma City is canceled due to weather on Saturday.
3. Multiple School Proms Canceled, Rescheduled Due To Severe Weather

Gov. Kevin Stitt released the following statement:

“My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night. Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage.”

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