Severe storms caused major concern across the United States on Easter Sunday, putting more than 45 million people at risk. From East Texas to parts of Iowa and Illinois, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and even tornado threats hit large parts of the country. The most tragic incident happened in Moore, Oklahoma, where two people lost their lives due to flooding.
According to Moore police, a woman and a 12-year-old boy died Saturday night after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. The vehicle was one of nearly a dozen stuck on water-filled roads in the area.
The storm brought such heavy rainfall that water rose above curbs, turning streets into dangerous streams.
At one point, one vehicle left the flooded road and was carried under a bridge by the rushing water. Emergency teams managed to rescue the other passengers, but unfortunately, the woman and child were later found dead.
“This was a historical weather event,” said the Moore Police Department in a statement. “It affected roads throughout the city and led to dozens of high-water incidents.
We are thankful for the help we received from nearby agencies during the rescue operations. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victims.”
Emergency responders searched the area around the bridge using dive teams, drones, and ground crews. A video shared by KWTV, a CBS News affiliate, showed a rescue worker hanging from a harness above a fast-moving creek, trying to reach the submerged truck.
Several other water rescues happened in Moore on Saturday. One video showed someone walking through waist-high water next to a mostly underwater car.
These scenes were a stark reminder of how quickly heavy rain can become life-threatening.
Storms were expected to continue on Sunday, especially in southern Oklahoma. The National Weather Service in Norman warned residents to stay alert for more flash flooding early in the morning.
In other parts of the country, severe weather conditions were also expected. The Storm Prediction Center said that dangerous storms could hit areas from East Texas through Arkansas, Missouri, and the mid-Mississippi Valley. These storms could bring strong winds, large hail, and even tornadoes.
Tornado watches were already issued on Sunday for parts of Arkansas, Missouri, and eastern Oklahoma. Many areas in central and northern Texas were also under watch.
In Montague County, Texas, about 80 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth, rescue teams had to use boats to save people stranded in floodwaters. Luckily, no injuries or property damage were reported there as of Saturday night.
While the worst of the weekend’s storms is expected to calm down by Monday, weather experts continue to urge people to stay alert. Flash floods, tornadoes, and dangerous winds are still a risk in many regions.
The Easter weekend turned out to be a tough time for many, especially in Oklahoma. While emergency teams continue their work and weather alerts remain in place, families affected by these storms are dealing with heartbreak and loss.
As rescue efforts continue and new storms are expected to pass through, people across the southern and midwestern United States are being told to remain cautious, avoid flooded roads, and stay updated with the latest weather alerts from the National Weather Service.