Tornadoes, storms strike Southern states, killing at least 7
By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
MADILL, Okla. — At least seven people are dead after a wave of strong thunderstorms and tornadoes hit Southern states Wednesday, injuring dozens of people and damaging homes and businesses, authorities said.
Southern tornadoes People embrace after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes This image made from video provided by Thomas Marcum shows a tornado seen from State Highway 48 in Durant, Okla., Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Thomas Marcum via AP)
Southern tornadoes People wait outside the Yaupon Cove subdivision after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes A line of vehicles is seen along FM 3459 in Onalaska, north of Houston, after a tornado touched down in the area Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes A car is seen in a ditch in Onalaska, Texas, after a tornado touched down in the area Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes A tree is removed from a road after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes A woman received medical attention after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Southern tornadoes A damaged home is seen after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
According to the National Weather Service, one tornado struck Onalaska, Texas, as well as parts of Polk, San Jacinto and possibly Walker counties Wednesday evening.
In a Facebook post late Wednesday, Polk County Emergency Management reported three deaths related to the storm, which injured as many as 30 people there.
Meanwhile, emergency management officials in Marshall County, Oklahoma, reported two storm-related deaths after a tornado ripped through the area about 5 p.m. CDT, according to CNN. The storm also damaged two steel plants and hurt several people, the network reported.
At least two people died in Louisiana, according to multiple reports.
A woman died as a storm struck near Woodworth, Rapides Parish officials told Alexandria Town Talk. Louisiana State University’s campus in Alexandria reported storm-related damage but said the school’s students were safe.
DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson told the Shreveport Times a man drowned in Mansfield while he was trying to retrieve a trashcan in the stormy weather. Officials said he was swept away by floodwaters, according to the Times.
Southern tornadoes A damaged home is seen after an apparent tornado touched down Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Onalaska, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)