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As it happenedended1714426390

Massive storms roll across Gulf coast after deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma: Live updates

‘Life-threatening’ rain is moving through the Houston, Texas region

Katie Hawkinson,Dan Gooding
Monday 29 April 2024 22:33 BST
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‘Just devastating’: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt speaks after tornadoes rip through state

The storm system that sparked deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma moved through the Gulf Coast on Monday, with multiple locations in Texas under tornado warnings.

Houston, Texas and the surrounding region is seeing “significant and life-threatening impacts” from severe rain, according to the National Weather Service. Several school districts closed for the day due to the storm, local outlet KHOU reports.

The storms, still bringing strong winds and hail showers, will travel off the coast by Monday evening.

Over the weekend that storm system caused tornadoes to blow through Oklahoma, killing four people including one infant.

The four-month-old baby was found dead in Hughes County, Oklahoma, Emergency Management Director Mike Dockrey said in a statement to The Independent. Crews also identified a second death in Holdenville, as well as deaths in the towns of Marietta and Sulphur, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

Meanwhile, hospitals statewide reported 100 injuries from the tornadoes that touched down on Saturday evening. Twenty of those injured were inside a Sulphur sports bar when the tornado hit, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said on Sunday.

Mr Stitt said the tornado damage in Sulphur is the worst he has seen since taking office, noting many downtown businesses were destroyed.

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Areas impacted by tornadoes see thunderstorms overnight

Residents grappling with severe tornado damage in central Oklahoma saw thunderstorms lingering overnight into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Storms are expected to continue but remain much weaker than what residents saw over the weekend.

Katie Hawkinson29 April 2024 19:15
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Oklahoma Governor seeks assistance for small businesses wrecked by tornadoes

Governor Kevin Stitt is potentially reaching out to the Small Business Administration and other philanthropic opportunities to help business owners recover in the wake of destructive tornadoes this weekend, officials told reporters on Sunday.

Mr Stitt said the tornadoes destroyed most downtown businesses in the town of Sulphur.

“This is definitely the most damage since I've been governor,” Mr Stitt said of Sulphur on Sunday.

Katie Hawkinson29 April 2024 19:45
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IN PICTURES: Town of Sulphur, Oklahoma decimated by tornadoes

A man moves salvaged items from a destroyed home in Sulphur, Oklahoma on Sunday. At least 100 people statewide sustained injuries from the tornadoes (AP)
Damaged building in downtown Sulphur pictured on Sunday. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said the storms destroyed nearly all downtown businesses (via REUTERS)
A man surveys storm damage in Sulphur, Oklahoma on Sunday. Governor Kevin Stitt said the town sustained the worst damage he has seen in his career (AP)
Katie Hawkinson29 April 2024 20:15
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Strong winds and hail predicted

In an afternoon update, the National Weather Service said that there was a “marginal” risk of severe thunderstorms across the Lower Mississippi Valley, south Texas and southeast lower Michigan.

The service also warned of ”marginally severe wind gusts and hail” for the region.

Dan Gooding29 April 2024 21:20

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