A tornado directly hit American Budget Value Inn in El Reno, Oklahoma, on Saturday night, totally tearing it apart, photos reveal.
The tornado killed at least two people in the city.
Here is the before and after the tornado at the American Budget Value Inn in El Reno, Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/7JCjBlB2I6
— Brad Sowder (@TheBradSowder) May 26, 2019
According to the Daily Mail, at least 30 people were inside the hotel when the twister hit. Witnesses said they saw people being pulled out of the debris of the hotel after the tornado hit.
“I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a lot of prayers,” Mayor Matt White was quoted by The Oklahoman newspaper as saying. He confirmed to a Fox affiliate that at least two people died and others were injured, adding that a mobile home park and a hotel were hit.
JUST IN – @kfor 4Sight drone video of the trailer park and hotel badly damaged in El Reno! #OKWX pic.twitter.com/8uq2KPdUYn
— Aaron Brackett (@Aaron_Brackett) May 26, 2019
@4sightAerial view of tornado damage in El Reno trailer park behind the American Budget Value Inn @kfor Appears to be at least an EF2 according to our storm tracker @F5Video pic.twitter.com/nKxCxZMrmT
— TARA (@TCBLUME) May 26, 2019
The Union City Police Department confirmed that there were “serious injuries and fatalities” in El Reno.
“This is an unfortunate example of just how quickly these types of storms can develop from a simple thunderstorm into a deadly supercell tornado,” it said. “Please remain weather aware and be prepared.”
This mobile park along with a hotel in El Reno was hit by a tornado. Mayor saying El Reno needs prayers. https://t.co/EZOqfFdWvR
— KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) May 26, 2019
The department urged people to “please pray” for those who are impacted by the twister.
According to Fox25 in Oklahoma City, the tornado is said to have touched down between Highway 81 and Interstate 40.
El Reno calling this a serious and traumatic event. Can not confirm numbers at this time. Union City police, just south of El Reno, confirmed some deaths, but no numbers available yet. #okwx #elreno
— Mireya Garcia (@mireya_g) May 26, 2019
“You could hear the roar and everything when it came through,” Richard Griffin, a resident of the Skyview Mobile Home Park, told the Oklahoman.
Late on Saturday, the National Weather Service office in Norman issued a warning to residents about a tornado.
You will NOT be able to see these tornado so don’t even bother looking. You will not have much time to get to shelter. pic.twitter.com/IDirRGYuhF
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) May 26, 2019
“You will NOT be able to see these tornado [sic] so don’t even bother looking. You will not have much time to get to shelter,” the weather service said.
