2 dead after catastrophic EF-4 tornado levels Barnsdall, Oklahoma: 'Total destruction'

02:10

Aerial video shows devastation in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, after deadly tornado

Residents in communities across the central U.S. are once again sifting through the debris of destroyed homes and businesses after severe weather and tornadoes ripped across the region from Monday night into Tuesday morning, leaving at least one person dead and causing catastrophic damage in a city north of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

BARNSDALL, Okla. – Two people have died after a devastating tornado destroyed homes and toppled power lines as it ripped through a small town northeast of Oklahoma City on May 6.

The National Weather Service reported that Barnsdall, a town of about 1,000 people located a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa, was leveled shortly after 9:30 p.m. A storm survey team found damage on May 7 that is consistent with at least an EF-4 strength tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. It was the second tornado to hit the town in five weeks.

"It just hit all of a sudden," said Joy King, who felt pressure in her ears, which intensified into a loud noise. The storm cellar door she was hiding in then blew open, and debris started to fly everywhere. "I even had it latched to a bolt in the floor, and it just ripped it off."

02:07

'Thank God, we're alive': Barnsdall, OK woman recounts harrowing tale of enduring tornado

Joy King, of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, surrived a devastating tornado that destroyed homes and toppled power lines as it ripped through her small town northeast of Oklahoma City on Monday evening.

King huddled in a corner with her little dog for about 30 minutes. She considered leaving, but her husband alerted her to another incoming cell, so she remained in place.

"We're alive," she cried. "Thank God, we're alive."

COMMUNITIES LEFT REELING ACROSS CENTRAL U.S. AFTER ANOTHER ROUND OF DEADLY SEVERE WEATHER DECIMATES TOWNS

Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley initially said the tornado caused one fatality and up to eight injuries in the town. The Tulsa Fire Department said it conducted a daylight search for one, possibly two, missing persons. Thankfully, there was a high level of weather awareness, which helped prevent further harm, the mayor added.

Kelley said the town's electrical system has been severely impacted, and the main water distribution line has been destroyed.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt traveled to Barnsdall on the afternoon of May 7 and directed resources to aid recovery.

"Hold them in your prayers," he said.

For more than a week after the devastating tornado, the death toll in Barnsdall stood at one. However, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management provided a severe weather situation update on May 14 that included a second death in town.

The Osage County Sheriff's Office also provided an update on Facebook on May 14 regarding the second fatality.

"We regret to inform the community that the Medical Examiner's Office has positively identified the deceased male recovered from Bird Creek on Saturday, May 11, as Mr. Wayne Hogue," the sheriff's office said in the post. "Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Hogue's family and friends during this difficult time."

A Tornado Emergency, the most dire of tornado alerts, was issued for Osage County in Oklahoma on May 6 as the storm approached. The National Weather Service referred to a "large and destructive tornado" moving toward Barnsdall and causing catastrophic damage.

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Watch: Tornado rips through Barndsall, leaving behind wake of damage in Oklahoma

A tornado ripped through Barndsall Oklahoma, on Monday evening, leaving behind a wake of damage.

‘It is chaos in town’

Osage County Emergency Management Director Jerry Roberts told FOX Weather that Oklahoma Task Force 1 Tulsa, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and crews from numerous jurisdictions, arrived in Barnsdall overnight to aid in the search for survivors.

"Right now, we have a big area of total destruction," Roberts added.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, as many as 40 homes were damaged in the Barnsdall area. Multiple reports of natural gas leaks and debris in roadways led to the closure of numerous roads.

The Barnsdall Nursing Home took a direct hit from the tornado on the southwestern side of town.

"Please pray for us," the facility said on Facebook, stressing all residents were accounted for with no injuries. "They all have been transported to football field house due to gas leak that could not be turned off by emergency personnel … it is chaos in town."

The Tornado Emergency for Barnsdall was just the second one ever issued by the NWS in Tulsa, and one of 13 Tornado Warnings issued by that office on May 6. It was the first tornado to make a direct hit on Barnsdall since 2008.