Central Oklahoma was ripped apart by the 2023 tornadoes on Wednesday as violent thunderstorms swept across different counties causing significant damage to popular places like Shawnee Mall.
Reportedly, three people have been declared dead in the wake of the disaster, while it’s unclear how many people have been affected in total, even though many injuries have been reported.
Latest updates suggest regions including Cole, Shawnee, Etowah, and Chickasha have suffered extensive damages as the tornado traveled through cities destroying businesses, and public and personal properties.
Shawnee Mall was damaged severely by the 2023 Tornado
The officials have confirmed that there is extensive damage to Shawnee Mall, according to Oklahoma’s News 4.
The area surrounding the property suffered significant damages as businesses had their roofs ripped off while the signs outside the building were mangled by winds. Lowe’s Home Improvement Store on Kickapoo Avenue was torn apart.
The officials said Interstate 40 eastbound going into Shawnee has been shut down as residents take to social media to show the devastating damages caused by the tornadoes.
One Shawnee resident who lost their home told the outlet: “It’s really emotional because we had family pictures of us. They are all gone. So, I mean, my kids were born and this house, all of them. And I’m going to miss this house.”
Twitter users share videos depicting devastating damages
Residents of Oklahoma have shared videos showing the damage caused by a series of tornadoes on Wednesday. One such clip shows a semi being rolled into a light post outside Shawnee Mall.
More posts show the majority of Shawnee in darkness due to the power outage caused by the powerful storms. It also shows properties and buildings crumbling into ruins in an unrecognizable way.
Meanwhile, many Shawnee residents have confirmed that the mall took a direct hit.
Twitter is flooded with prayers for Oklahoma as the latest disaster has left thousands of people homeless.
Oklahoma Baptist University takes a hit
OBU’s official website confirmed that no injuries were reported after the tornado directly hit the campus on Wednesday.
The classes have been canceled for Thursday and Friday and students are being taken care of, even though the power is still out.
Students displaced from campus housing are said to have received temporary relocation.
One student who survived the tornado shared the traumatizing experience with the news channel.
They said: “I was in there working on some homework and all of a sudden, the power shuts off. I’m freaking out, my boys are freaking out. And all of a sudden, a group of us just started praying, just trying to make sure we get through it, right.”
The post Videos show Oklahoma in ruins as violent tornadoes kill three and leave many homeless appeared first on HITC.
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