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2024 Sulphur tornado

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2024 Sulphur tornado
The tornado being partially illuminated by a lightning strike as it was in Sulphur. At this point, the tornado had taken on the shape of a large "stovepipe".
Meteorological history
FormedApril 27, 2024, 10:23 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
DissipatedApril 27, 2024, 10:37 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration14 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds165 mph (266 km/h)
Overall effects
Casualties31 total
Fatalities1
Injuries30
Damage>$6 million (2024 USD)[1]
Areas affectedSulphur, Oklahoma
Part of the Tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2024 and Tornadoes of 2024

In the late evening hours of April 27, 2024, a large and strong EF3-rated tornado moved through the community of Sulphur, located in the state of Oklahoma. The tornado, known as the Sulphur tornado, was part of a larger tornado outbreak across the United States in late-April 2024. The tornado killed one person in Sulphur and injured thirty others along a 9.9-mile (15.9 km) path, while producing heavy damage within the city limits of Sulphur. The tornado inflicted damage that would later be determined to total in excess of $6 million (2024 USD).

The tornado touched down within the bounds of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area shortly before 10:40 p.m.,[note 1] tracking towards Sulphur while slowly strengthening. The tornado would reach EF3 intensity as it entered into the southern portions of the town, heavily damaging buildings and killing one person who was sheltering inside of a sports lounge. The tornado damaged over 75 buildings and businesses in Sulphur before leaving the town; over thirty more people were injured in residential areas located in the northern portions of the town. The tornado weakened as it left the city limits of Sulphur, dissipating 14 minutes after touching down. The tornado reached a peak width of 440 yards (400 m), and retained peak estimated wind speeds of approximately 165 miles per hour (266 km/h).

Meteorological synopsis

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Main articles: Tornado outbreak sequence of April 25–28, 2024 and List of tornadoes in the tornado outbreak sequence of April 25–28, 2024

Multiple tornadic supercells developed ahead of the main line of storms on April 28, and multiple large, intense tornadoes were confirmed in south and eastern Oklahoma, causing significant damage and prompting new tornado warnings with attached Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tags for the towns of Ardmore, Holdenville, Marietta, Okemah and Sulphur.[2]A total of 23 PDS tornado warnings were issued as the intense storms caused damage.[3] The areas around Sulphur were heavily monitored, and a hook was visible on radar at approximately midnight. Shortly before this storm became tornado the SPC issued mesoscale discussion 0555 highlighting the potential for strong tornadoes due to SRH values near 600 m2/s2.[4]

The 00:00 UTC upper-air sounding from Norman, Oklahoma, depicted very strong shear, with storm-relative helicity in the 0–3 kilometer layer of 400 m2/s2 and mixed-layer CAPE of around 2300 J/kg. As the lower-level jet further increased 0-1km SRH was observed at 600 m2/s2 which is unusually intense. Over the course of the successive hours, new tornadic supercells developed ahead of the main squall line and produced multiple large and intense tornadoes in southern and eastern Oklahoma. These tornadoes caused significant damage and prompted PDS tornado warnings for the towns of Ardmore, Holdenville, Marietta and Okemah.[4]

Warnings

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Prior to the tornado touching down, five simultaneous tornado warnings were active over Sulphur, Gene Autry, Mill Creek, Roff, Springer and Hickory.[5] Three of these warning had attached PDS tags, two of which included Sulphur.[6][7]

Tornado summary

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The tornado first touched down to the northwest of Centennial Boulevard, snapping trees at EF1 intensity before crossing Wilson Lake in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.[8] The tornado inflicted EF0-rated damage to trees along Veterans Lake Road, before rapidly intensifying as it entered downtown Sulphur. The tornado deroofed numerous homes at EF2 intensity along West Tishomingo Avenue; more trees were damaged at low intensity as the tornado continued to move to the northeast. The edge of the tornado, which now retained wind speeds estimated to have been as high as 143 mph (230 km/h), moved over the Mary Parker Memorial Library, which temporarily closed following the tornado.[9]

Intensity map of the tornado as it moved through Sulphur.[note 2]
Key
  EF1 86–110 mph
  EF2 111–135 mph
  EF3 136–165 mph

The tornado first reached EF3 intensity to the south of Oklahoma State Highway 7, before destroying a strip mall located along West 3rd Street. The tornado would claim the life of one person as it struck Raina's Sports Lounge on West Muskogee Avenue,[10] causing the building's roof to collapse onto patrons, trapping several. At least twelve people were in the lounge when the tornado hit.[11] Several other businesses, including The Mix Mercantile,[12] J.J.'s Furniture and a Rusty Nails restaurant.[13][14] The tornado would continue to produce EF3 damage as it moved through downtown portions of Sulphur, shifting an entire home off its foundation along Marietta Avenue and deroofing a three-story apartment complex.[9][15] In the downtown area of Sulphur, approximately 72 businesses were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.[16][17]

It immediately began to move northeastward in the direction of downtown Sulphur. The tornado directly impacted West 1st Street, slightly damaging the Artesian Hotel, causing the collapse of an interior wall and roof damage.[18] Nobody was injured.[18] The Chickasaw Visitor Center and the Mary Parker Memorial Library were both heavily damaged as the tornado began to track into the downtown area.[19][20]The tornado hit West Muskogee Avenue almost instantly after entering downtown Sulphur, destroying Raina's Sports Bar,[21] killing 1 person and multiple others were injured.[22] After, the tornado crossed the street and impacted the Rusty Nails restaurant, which was then also destroyed. A brick USPS building was destroyed on West Venita Avenue, and an unknown number of people were injured.[23] It tracked through multiple other streets, destroying many brick-clad buildings and throwing cars.[24] The Rock Creek Apartments were heavily damaged,[25] and a 5 AM Donuts store was heavily damaged.[26]

Even though the tornado never directly hit West Wynnewood Avenue, moderate damage was documented and observed there. The Chickasaw Nation Senior Center and multiple other buildings were damaged, and a car was thrown onto a roof. The tornado then crossed East Tulsa Avenue, debarking trees and causing damage to small structures.[21] As it left downtown Sulphur, impacting East June Avenue and Hickory Street, destroying multiple houses.[27] The tornado then curved upward, narrowly missing Tull Crest Lake, before impacting Ball Park Road, tossing cars and causing more damage. One or more people were injured here. It tracked through uninhabited hills [21] before impacting the Platte Valley Trolley Railway, destroying the rails. It narrowly missed Petty Road, and curved upward, hitting Koller Road and East 1700 Road. It again began to track through open hills, damaging trees and adopting a rain-wrapped shape, making it virtually invisible[28]. It almost directly hit Cochran Creek, but moved slightly upward, instead hitting East Palmer Road at an unknown intensity[29].

As the tornado tracked through hills, it again came within a close proximity of Cochran Creek, but this time directly hit it at an unknown intensity. It crossed the creek 3 more times as it tracked close to Hickory. It then directly impacted the Chickasaw Turnpike. It also hit County Road 1670 at unknown intensities and narrowly missed Boss Road[30]. As it tracked toward Hickory, it started to rapidly lose speed and velocity, and eventually began to rope out while still moving in a straight line northeastward, and eventually completely dissipated, at around 10:37 P.M.[31]

Aftermath

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Damage path through downtown Sulphur produced by the tornado

A few hours after the tornado, on April 28, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency in twelve Oklahoma counties due to the large amount of damage and to aid search and rescue efforts. Counties declared as being under a state of emergency included Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pontotoc.[32] Aid and disaster response was sent to Sulphur, and rescue operations were conducted in the weeks following the tornado.[33] Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the time of the tornado, surveyed tornado damage in Sulphur on May 1.[34] The Sulphur Recovery Task Force was set up following the tornado to help rebuild the town.[35]

Following the tornado, emergency management agencies blocked off access to downtown Sulphur due to the instability of several buildings in the area and concerns over looting.[36][37] Sulphur Public Schools were as a result of the damage sustained to the high school during the tornado,[38] and many school buses were put out of service.[39]

Much of downtown Sulphur sustained significant damage, including Sulphur High School, which sustained minor structural damage,[40] and Sulphur Public School's bus fleet,[41] which was destroyed. Roads were damaged or destroyed, and multiple brick buildings collapsed at EF3 intensity.[42] The town's newspaper, the Sulphur Times-Democrat, delayed the release of its paper a day due to damage to its newsroom.[43]Many residences suffered major damage, and the Rock Creek Apartments located at 1021 West 2nd Street sustained severe structural damage. In total, damage costs have been estimated to excess of $6 million (2024 USD).[44] Two historic buildings in downtown Sulphur, the Log Cabin Theater and the Hassen Building both sustained damage from the tornado.[45]

Casualties

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This tornado killed one person and injured 30 others.[46][47] Damage caused by this tornado was so extreme that rescue efforts were delayed.[48] Sheila Goodman,[49] who was visiting Raina's Sports Lounge, was killed when the building took a direct hit and collapsed.[50] Multiple people were injured in residential areas of Sulphur, including two people near a laundromat which was destroyed. Flash flooding in Sulphur immediately following the event stunted recovery efforts.[51]

Name Age Location of death City Refs.
Sheila Hilliard Goodman 63 201 West Muskogee Avenue Sulphur [52][53]

See also

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Notes and citations

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Notes

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  1. ^ For consistency, all times in the article are displayed in Central Daylight Time (CDT) unless stated otherwise.
  2. ^ Due to a software error, EF0 damage lines are not visible.

Citations

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  1. ^ Ferguson, Tom (May 9, 2024). "'As bad as it hurts right now, we're bouncing back': Sulphur schools damage hits millions". KOKH. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "WWA Summary by Location for 34.51N 96.98W with OKZ041/OKC099/OKZ041 emphasis Hazardous Weather Outlook". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Saturday April 27, 2024". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 555". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Twisters leave 4 people dead in Oklahoma". Arkansas Online. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  6. ^ "KOUN Tornado (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Warning #67". Iowa Mesonet. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  7. ^ "KOUN Tornado (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Warning #63". Iowa Mesonet. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  8. ^ "partial reopen May 6 2024 - Chickasaw National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". NPS. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Brown, Brianna (May 1, 2024). "Sulphur library keeping residents connected after disaster". KTEN. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  10. ^ "Tornadoes kill 4 in Oklahoma as governor issues state of emergency for 12 counties". ABC13 Houston. April 28, 2024. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Weber, Andy (April 29, 2024). "Owner describes moments tornado destroyed Sulphur bar, killing 1 person". KOCO. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  12. ^ Speck, Emilee (April 28, 2024). "Drone video shows Sulphur, Oklahoma, nearly unrecognizable after direct hit from tornado". FOX Weather. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  13. ^ Jones, Alyse (May 1, 2024). "'Built pre-statehood': Sulphur winery loses century of history in deadly tornado". KOCO. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  14. ^ Keefover, Jamison (April 29, 2024). "Downtown Sulphur businesses devastated after tornado, locals rally for cleanup". KOKH. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  15. ^ Damage point on the Damage Assessment Toolkit Archived April 23, 2020, at the Wayback Machine: Storm date: 4/27/2024 11:23 PM; Survey date: 4/28/2024 12:30 PM; Degree of damage (DOD): 5.00; DOD text: Uplift or collapse of roof structure leaving most walls standing; EF scale: EF3; Wind speed: 138; Latitude: 34.51; Longitude: -96.97; Office: Norman, Oklahoma (OUN)
  16. ^ "Sulphur begins to rebuild, one month after severe tornado leveled town". KOSU. June 5, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  17. ^ Weber, Andy (June 4, 2024). "Sulphur businessowner continues road to rebuilding more than month after devastating tornado". KOCO. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Kliewer, Addison (April 28, 2024). "Officials say search-and-rescue mission underway in Sulphur after tornado". KOCO. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  19. ^ "At least 4 killed in Oklahoma tornado outbreak, as threat of severe storms continues from Missouri to Texas". KAKE. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  20. ^ "Chickasaw recreation area closed due to weather". The Ada News. April 28, 2024. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "The April 27-28, 2024 Tornado Outbreak and Flash Flooding Event". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  22. ^ "Woman killed when tornado tears through sports bar, burying patrons in rubble". WAFB. CNN. April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "'It's too good of a town not to rebuild': Sulphur family searches for hope". KFOR. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "Daylight Reveals Devastation in Sulphur, Oklahoma". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "NEW: Weekend tornado outbreak impact report". KFOR. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "UPDATED: 4 die as tornadoes leave destruction across Oklahoma". Associated Press. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "HEAVY DAMAGE, AT LEAST 20 INJURED IN SULPHUR AFTER TORNADO". Ponca City Now. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  28. ^ "Tragedy Strikes in the Dead of Night in Sulphur, Oklahoma". 107.3 PopCrush. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  29. ^ "Deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma leave thousands without power, trail of damage". KOSU. April 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  30. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". Damage Assessment Toolkit. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "The April 27-28, 2024 Tornado Outbreak and Flash Flooding Event". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  32. ^ "Severe Weather Situation Update - April 27, 2024". Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  33. ^ "Search And Rescue In Sulphur, OK After Overnight Tornado". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  34. ^ "FEMA Administrator Criswell surveys damage in wake of Oklahoma tornado". Federal Times. May 1, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  35. ^ Porter, Alexander (December 23, 2024). "Task force addresses Sulphur tornado recovery". KTEN. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  36. ^ Spillyards, Allie (April 28, 2024). "'The place I called home is gone': Tornado ravages town of Sulphur, Oklahoma". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  37. ^ Shackelford, Nouran; Robert, Salahieh (April 28, 2024). "At least 4 killed in Oklahoma tornado outbreak, as threat of severe storms continues from Missouri to Texas". CNN. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  38. ^ Sharfman, Alexandra (April 30, 2024). "Sulphur and Marietta schools close after tornadoes; Oklahoma School for Deaf goes virtual". KOKH. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  39. ^ "Sulphur Public Schools' bus fleet destroyed by tornado, district working to get students back to class". KOSU. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  40. ^ Kliewer, Addison (April 28, 2024). "Sulphur cancels class after tornado devastates town". KOCO. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  41. ^ "Sulphur Public Schools' bus fleet destroyed by tornado, district working to get students back to class". KGOU. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  42. ^ Speck, Emilee (April 29, 2024). "EF-4, EF-3 tornadoes lay ruin to Oklahoma communities during deadly tornado outbreak". FOX Weather. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  43. ^ Brewer, Graham Lee (May 3, 2024). "A tornado hit an Oklahoma newsroom built in the 1920s. The damage isn't stopping the presses". AP News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  44. ^ May, Payton (April 29, 2024). "Sulphur native's fortitude shines in the wake of devastating Oklahoma tornado". KOKH. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  45. ^ "Sulphur History Lost In April, 2024 Tornado". Sulphur Times Democrat. January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  46. ^ "1 Dead, At Least 20 Injured In Sulphur After Tornado Damages Town". News 9. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  47. ^ "SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Saturday April 27, 2024". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  48. ^ Kliewer, Addison (April 28, 2024). "Officials say search-and-rescue mission underway in Sulphur after tornado". KOCO. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  49. ^ "Woman Killed In Sulphur Tornado Identified". News 9. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  50. ^ Montgomery, Shelby (April 29, 2024). "Crews continue to clean up after deadly tornado hits Sulphur". KOCO. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  51. ^ Greco, Jonathan (April 30, 2024). "Map shows where tornadoes were reported during Saturday's outbreak in Oklahoma". KOCO. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  52. ^ "Oklahoma towns hard hit by tornadoes begin long cleanup". Press Herald. April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  53. ^ Brewer, Graham Lee (April 30, 2024). "Oklahoma towns begin tornado cleanup". Antelope Valley Press. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
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