Easter weekend turned tragic across parts of Oklahoma and Texas as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and historic flooding swept through the region, claiming two lives—including a child—and leaving widespread damage and disruption in their wake.
Authorities confirmed that a woman and a 12-year-old boy were killed after two cars became trapped in floodwaters late Saturday night around 9 pm in Moore, Oklahoma. One vehicle was washed under a bridge in what police described as a “historical weather event.” The Moore Police Department extended condolences to the victims’ families and praised rescue teams for their efforts.
The storm system brought torrential rain, hail, thunder, and destructive tornadoes that pummeled both states. Ada, Oklahoma, saw significant damage, with buildings torn apart and trees uprooted, likely due to a tornado. In Texas, storm chasers captured dramatic footage of tornadoes near Tolar, Sterling City, Bowie, and Hico.
Power Outages and Travel Disruptions
Severe weather triggered around 19,000 power outages across Texas, according to PowerOutage.us. Air travel was also impacted, with over 300 flights delayed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, as reported by FlightAware.
AccuWeather’s Senior Director of Forecasting Operations, Dan DePodwin, warned that the affected regions could face continued disruptions to travel, business, and logistics due to ongoing weather threats.
Severe Weather Threat Spans Multiple States
The storm front stretched across a 1,500-mile zone from just west of Dallas, Texas, to Syracuse, New York. By Saturday night, thunderstorms in the area had intensified to dangerous levels. The risk of severe weather remained high heading into Easter Sunday, particularly across Arkansas and the Missouri Valley.
AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Duffus cautioned that the threat of severe weather would peak on Sunday and Sunday night, urging residents in the path of the storms to stay vigilant.
As emergency crews continue to assess damage and assist affected communities, officials are urging people to exercise caution and prepare for possible further storms in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
