OKLAHOMA TORNADO

Submitted by: Kathy Hawkins and Donald Hank

Monster Storms ’Scour’ Midwest; More on the Way, Says Weather Service

At least two people were killed and 20 injured in Oklahoma as a severe storm system generated several tornadoes Sunday in Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa, leveling neighborhoods and sending frightened residents scurrying for shelter as extreme conditions are expected to linger across the Midwest.

The tornadoes, high winds and hail were part of a massive, northeastward-moving storm system that stretched from Texas to Minnesota.

Victims and emergency responders might not get much of a reprieve, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center was forecasting similar weather for Monday over much of the same area.

A storm spotter told the National Weather Service that the tornado "scoured" the landscape in the park and an area along Interstate 40. Officials said drivers should expect delays along the highway in Shawnee as crews continue to clean up storm debris. Westbound Interstate 40 was closed Sunday night at U.S. 177 after storms ripped through the area. U.S. 177 was also shut down because of vehicle accidents caused by the severe weather.

Violent thunderstorms were forecast to hit the central United States on Monday, threatening to bring additional hail, heavy rain and tornadoes to the region stricken by a deadly twister during the weekend.

The National Weather Service said severe storms would hit the Ozarks and the middle Mississippi Valley, with the greatest risk in northwest Arkansas, far southeast Kansas, southern Missouri, most of Oklahoma and northern Texas.

The tornadoes, high winds and hail were part of a massive, northeastward-moving storm system that stretched from Texas to Minnesota. Victims and emergency responders might not get much of a reprieve, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center was forecasting similar weather for Monday over much of the same area. A storm spotter told the National Weather Service that the tornado "scoured" the landscape in the park and an area along Interstate 40. Officials said drivers should expect delays along the highway in Shawnee as crews continue to clean up storm debris. Westbound Interstate 40 was closed Sunday night at U.S. 177 after storms ripped through the area. U.S. 177 was also shut down because of vehicle accidents caused by the severe weather. Violent thunderstorms were forecast to hit the central United States on Monday, threatening to bring additional hail, heavy rain and tornadoes to the region stricken by a deadly twister during the weekend. The National Weather Service said severe storms would hit the Ozarks and the middle Mississippi Valley, with the greatest risk in northwest Arkansas, far southeast Kansas, southern Missouri, most of Oklahoma and northern Texas.

As the Lord leads, please pray:

• That people in the line of the storms would heed the sirens and other warnings and seek shelter.
• For all those who have sustained losses, including the families that are grieving the death of loved ones.
• For the first responders, including groups like the Salvation Army and Red Cross.

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