Storms leave three dead in Oklahoma during Easter weekend outbreak across central U.S.
At least three people were reported dead in Oklahoma as storms swept across the U.S. from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and Upper Great Lakes between Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025. The system spawned at least 22 tornadoes across six states, triggered flash floods, and left over 70 000 customers without power.
Tornado damage in Hughes County, Oklahoma after a tornado touched down on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Image credit: Hughes County Emergency Management
A powerful spring storm system moved from the Southern Plains into the Upper Midwest over Easter weekend, April 19–20, bringing severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash flooding to large portions of the central United States and leaving at least three people dead. The system affected multiple states, including Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Iowa.
One person was killed and two were injured after a tornado touched down in the town of Spaulding in Hughes County at around 22:35 local time (LT) on Saturday. Emergency management officials warned that the number of injuries could rise as damage assessments continue.
According to Hughes County Emergency Management, it had a preliminary rating of EF-1 with winds of 170–177 km/h (105–110 mph). It destroyed two homes and damaged multiple smaller structures and trees along its 3 km (2 miles) path.
A 44-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son died in Moore on Saturday night after floodwaters swept their vehicle under a bridge. Moore Police Department crews responded to reports of two vehicles stranded by floodwaters at approximately 21:00 LT. While occupants of the other vehicle were rescued, the woman and her son could not be saved in time.
The police described the storms as a “historic weather” event, reporting that they responded to dozens of stranded vehicles amid the flooding on Saturday.
BEWARE HIGH WATER
— Moore Police Dept. (@MoorePolice) April 20, 2025
MPD is working more than a dozen motorist assists involving vehicles stuck in high water. Multiple roads and neighborhoods have water over the curbs. Stay home if at all possible.#flooding pic.twitter.com/UDUm94MTdn
The Spaulding tornado and subsequent flooding were part of a larger weather system that spawned 22 tornadoes across six states on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday. Thunderstorms associated with this system brought heavy rainfall to large parts of the region, triggering multiple flash floods across the central United States.
The storms knocked out power to over 70 000 customers across Oklahoma and Texas, according to PowerOutage.us. Several counties issued disaster declarations, and emergency crews worked throughout the weekend to clear debris, conduct rescues, and restore infrastructure.
A tornado that touched down in Lonoke, Arkansas, on Sunday damaged multiple homes along State Highway 319. The system had spawned multiple tornadoes across Texas and Oklahoma just a day prior, causing widespread damage and triggering power outages across the region.
By late Sunday, the storm system had shifted into the Upper Midwest, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. No tornadoes were confirmed in these areas, but local flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm alerts were issued.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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