Sulphur residents react after tornado rips through Oklahoma town

Severe storms struck several communities in Oklahoma on Saturday night, resulting in four fatalities and prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency in approximately a dozen counties.

As daylight broke, the extent of the damage caused by an EF-3 tornado became evident, particularly in the town of Sulphur, where the storm ravaged the historic downtown area and a nearby neighborhood.

Felicia Jackson, a resident affected by the disaster, expressed a range of emotions, stating, “All kinds of emotions. The place I called home is gone.”

Derrick Stone, another resident, recounted how he and his family sought shelter in a nearby storm cellar as the storm approached. He described the harrowing experience, remarking, “We knew it was coming. We knew it was going to be bad. We just didn’t know how bad.”

Stone, like many others, closely followed the storm’s path, listening to updates on his firefighter brother’s radio as Sulphur bore the brunt of the tornado’s impact.

The storm’s intensity was such that it lifted the second story of Rick Jones’ home, scattering its contents throughout the neighborhood. Fortunately, Jones and his family were out of town celebrating their wedding anniversary, and their children were staying with relatives.

Darla Woods, amidst the devastation, found solace in the miraculous survival of her cat, Leon, who weathered the storm in a now-damaged house.

Despite the widespread destruction, residents of Sulphur are rallying together, initiating the cleanup process and supporting one another in the aftermath. Despite the challenges ahead, they remain hopeful and resilient, relying on their tight-knit community for strength and assistance.