'Absolutely Lost Everything': Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Rated EF3

EL RENO, OK — At least two people died and 29 were hurt when a tornado ripped through a motel and mobile home park in El Reno, just west of Oklahoma City. Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday and officials are working to notify family members of the victims, El Reno Mayor Matt White said at a news conference.

“We have absolutely experienced a traumatic event,” he said.

White also called it a “tragic scene out there,” adding that, people “absolutely lost everything.” The city established a GoFundMe page to help affected families.

The tornado, rated as an EF-3 on Sunday, arrived as part of a powerful storm system that thundered through the state. Crews were surveying the damage. The twister destroyed the American Budget Value Inn, which saw its second story collapse. Pictures taken at the scene showed emergency teams sifting through debris strewn about the first floor and parking lot. There were also overturned cars, twisted metal and damaged trailers elsewhere in the area.

“You could hear the roar and everything when it came through,” trailer park resident Richard Griffin told The Oklahoman.

Several people were taken to hospitals, though White did not give an exact number.

“We’re doing a search and rescue right now … we have all hands on deck,” he said.

The tornado was about 75 yards wide at its widest point and stayed on the ground for more than 2 miles, the National Weather Service said. It began around 10:30 p.m. and lasted four minutes.

Union City police Chief Richard Stephens wrote in a Facebook post that there was a “very dangerous situation” in El Reno.

“Please pray for those effected by these storms as well as the emergency services workers assisting in this ongoing rescue,” wrote Stephens.

He added: “This is an unfortunate example of just how quickly these types of storms can develop from a simple thunderstorm into a deadly supercell tornado.”

Loyd Roberts, of Burnet, Texas, said the roof of the motel collapsed while he slept inside.

“That is what woke me up. The roof caved in, desk flipped over, the room looked like a bomb hit it. I pulled the sheet rock off of me and started looking for people. All I saw was people with scrapes and bruises,” Roberts told The Oklahoman.

Meanwhile, a second tornado slammed into a suburb of Tulsa more than 100 miles away, authorities said Sunday.

This is a developing story. Hit refresh for updates.

Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership