State of Emergency Declared for 15 Oklahoma Counties After Tornadoes Strike; EF4 Confirmed in Katie

Sean Breslin
Published: May 11,2016

A day after two people were killed by tornadoes that left severe damage in some parts of Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 15 counties in the Sooner State.
The decision will make state funds and resources available in the recovery process, according to KOKH-TV.
"I appreciate the ongoing work of our first responders who have been working diligently to assist those in need," Fallin said in a statement. "I also offer my continued thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the storms."
(MORE: Check the Latest Severe Forecast | Deadly Tornadoes Strike, In Photos)
The storms spawned at least 11 confirmed tornadoes, eight of which hit Oklahoma, according to the Storm Prediction Center, and more than 90 hail reports.
Southwest of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, a survey crew confirmed EF4 damage with the tornado that was in progress near Katie. It was the first EF4 tornado to hit the United States since Dec. 26, 2015, when a confirmed EF4 hit the Dallas, Texas, area, killing 10.
Just north of Sulphur, a second tornado was confirmed as a high-end EF3 by survey crews. The NWS added that the Sulphur tornado was a mile wide at times. Another EF3 was confirmed in Bromide.
The storms were responsible for two deaths. Chester Barnes, 76, was killed in his rural Garvin County home when a violent tornado touched down south of Oklahoma City, according to KFOR.com.
"He was a good man, a real good man," neighbor Dave Buckner told KFOR.com.

Authorities confirmed a second death in Johnston County near Connerville, according to the Associated Press. KXII.com identified the victim as 76-year-old Jackie Brooks.
Initial reports described "major damage" west of Interstate 35. As one of the large tornadoes turned toward the freeway, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol closed I-35 near Wynnewood for 15 minutes, the AP also said.
A tornado in Boswell was rated EF2 by the NWS in Tulsa. At least two were injured by the twister.
"I came back in 15-20 minutes and it was all gone," Jose Rubio told KXII.com after the tornado swept through the area. "I've lived here for over 35 years."

In Nebraska, a Nehawka man survived an EF2 tornado after being thrown against a tree Monday night, KETV.com reported. Robin Stoll suffered minor injuries during the scary ordeal that destroyed his home, the AP said.
"It picked me up, threw me against a tree," Stoll told KETV.com. "I just held on."
Two other tornadoes were confirmed in Nebraska from Monday's severe weather. Both touched down in Lancaster County, and both were rated EF1.

In Saline County, Arkansas, an EF1 tornado was confirmed in Arkanslaw and Avilla, according to the Little Rock office of the NWS.
Hail as big as softballs was also reported in this round of severe weather, and some of the largest documented hail fell near Lincoln, Nebraska.

The complex of storms also caused some localized flooding in Texas late Monday. The emergency management in Lamar County reported floodwaters reaching the windows of a car at the 500 block of Lamar Ave in Paris.