A mother and her daughter were killed when a tornado struck their vehicle in western Oklahoma on Thursday night as powerful storms swept across the state, authorities said.
Major County Sheriff Tony Robinson said the pair were travelling near State Highway 60 and County Road 243, west of Fairview, when the tornado hit their car. Their bodies were later found inside the vehicle.
Tornado strikes during night storm
The tornado hit between 8 pm and 9 pm local time, when a tornado warning was in effect for parts of Major County.
According to local officials, the storm system produced intense winds that also overturned a semi-trailer in the area.
Emergency management officials in Fairview shared video on social media showing what appeared to be a large tornado moving just west of the city late Thursday evening.
Governor expresses condolences
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt confirmed the deaths early Friday and offered condolences to the victims’ family.
“Severe weather struck Major County last night and tragically claimed the lives of a mother and daughter. I am praying for the family as they grieve this tragic loss, as well as all those impacted by the storms,” Stitt said in a statement.
Multiple tornadoes reported
The National Weather Service reported that at least four tornadoes touched down in western Oklahoma, mainly in Grant and Alfalfa counties.
Damage reports include downed trees, snapped power lines and damaged structures. The weather service also detected a tornado debris signature near Helena in Alfalfa County.
Officials said damage surveys will be carried out on Friday to determine the strength of the tornadoes.
Storm chasers caught in dangerous conditions
The severe weather also created hazardous conditions for storm chasers in northwest Oklahoma. Emergency management authorities said several chasers wrecked their vehicles while tracking the storms during the overnight event.
Across the region, storms produced seven tornado reports from the Texas Panhandle to south-central Kansas, along with golf ball-sized hail.
More severe weather expected
Forecasters warn that the threat is not over. A broad region from Texas to Wisconsin could see severe storms again Friday afternoon and evening.
The highest risk area includes parts of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma, where meteorologists say tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are possible. Some tornadoes could be strong.
The storms are being fueled by unusually warm early-March temperatures and shifting jet stream patterns, forecasters said.
While the threat may weaken slightly on Saturday, strong winds capable of knocking down trees and power lines could still impact parts of the southern and eastern United States.
