Marietta tornado rated EF4, Oklahoma’s first violent tornado in 8 years
The tornado that hit Marietta, Oklahoma at 23:08 CDT on April 27, 2024, was rated EF4 by the National Weather Service (NWS), making it Oklahoma’s first violent tornado in nearly 8 years. This event resulted in one fatality and extensive structural damage across multiple counties.
The tornado touched down near Marietta in Love County at approximately 23:08 CDT (04:08 UTC, April 28) on April 27, 2024. Rated as an EF4, the tornado generated peak winds estimated between 265 to 274 kilometers per hour (165 to 170 miles per hour), causing significant damage over its course.
The tornado’s path stretched over approximately 43 km (27 miles) before dissipating near Gene Autry in Carter County at 23:32 CDT (04:32 UTC, April 28). The maximum width of the tornado reached about 822 m (900 yards).
Authorities confirmed the death of one person. Information regarding the number of injuries has not yet been determined, as authorities are still assessing the extent of the impact.
The tornado significantly affected the area starting southwest of Marietta and moving north-northeast across Interstate 35 into Marietta, then continuing towards Lake Murray and through Dickson. The destruction along its path included severe damage to buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, particularly in the vicinity of Marietta.
“The April 27 Marietta tornado is the first tornado to produce EF4 damage in the state since May 9, 2016,” meteorologists at the NWS office in Norman, OK said on X. “The November 4, 2022 tornado in McCurtain Co was rated EF4 because of damage in Texas, but there was no EF4 damage on OK on that one.”
Later that evening, two additional EF3 tornadoes hit Oklahoma, resulting in additional destruction and loss of life.
The first EF3 tornado touched down in Sulphur (population 4 951), Murray County, at approximately 22:25 CDT (03:25 UTC, April 28), producing peak winds estimated between 258 to 266 km/h (160 to 165 mph).
The tornado carved a path approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) long and reached a maximum width of 402 m (440 yards), before dissipating northwest of Hickory in Pontotoc County at 22:37 CDT (03:37 UTC, April 28). This tornado caused extensive damage in Sulphur, notably affecting the downtown area. Tragically, one person was killed due to the storm.
The second EF3 tornado touched down south-southwest of Spaulding in Hughes County at 22:36 CDT (03:36 UTC, April 28). With peak winds ranging from 225 to 233 km/h (140 to 145 mph), it extended over approximately 27 km (17 miles) and had a maximum width of approximately 1 609 m (1 760 yards).
This tornado passed through the region just west of Holdenville (population 5 961) and continued its destructive path north-northeast, crossing Highway 9 west of Wetumka, before dissipating north-northwest of Yeager at 22:58 CDT (03:58 UTC, April 28). The impact of this tornado resulted in two fatalities.
It’s important to note that these are preliminary survey results, as of 14:04 CDT on April 29, and may change as investigations continue.
In addition to the severe EF4 and 2 EF3 tornadoes, the state had 25 other confirmed tornadoes on April 27, including 2 EF2-rated tornadoes, 9 rated EF1, and 4 rated EF0.
The EF2 tornadoes were recorded in Goldsby and Ardmore. The Goldsby tornado caused extensive damage to trees and some homes, while the Ardmore tornado traveled through the west side of the city toward Springer, with investigations ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage.
Among the EF1 tornadoes, the tornado near the McClain-Grady County line damaged trees and a mobile home. Northwest of Calumet, trees and powerlines were downed and trailers overturned.
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References:
1 Public Information Statement – Damage survey for April 27 and 27 tornado event – NWS Norman OK – 204 PM CDT Mon Apr 29 2024
Featured image credit: Love County Sheriff Office
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