By Katie W. Grade 3

This terrible tornado struck on Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Kansas and Oklahoma. Ripping its way through the nation’s midsection, it destroyed many houses and blew off many roofs. Many businesses were destroyed. The system went from North Texas to Minnesota, and heaved dime-sized to softball sized hail. Near Oklahoma City, a half mile wide tornado was found. The Weather Service alerted many people by saying: “You could be killed if you’re not underground or in a tornado shelter.”

Around Shawnee Oklahoma three tractor-trailer rigs were flipped over, and one had apparently been blown off of a highway overpass! Across central Oklahoma, multiple twisters were seen. Everything was a mess! Houses were blown apart, and there was even more damage near Twin Lakes area just outside of Wellston. Power lines were damaged and split in half and trees were uprooted by this terrible twister. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin had declared a state of emergency in 16 counties.

St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital in Shawnee, Oklahoma, treated 11 patients. One victim was in critical conditions. The remaining 10 were supposed to be treated for minor injuries and released. Oklahoma’s Department of Emergency Management confirmed 4 injuries in Lincoln County, but no fatalities. Officials were still surveying damage in many areas. Damaged buildings were reported in Edmond, Norman, Lincoln County, and Pottawatomie County.

Charities are helping to distribute money to give people money to rebuild their homes. I find this very kind of these charities who are helping distribute money to the people who had lost their cozy homes (I find this very sad). Imagine what it would be like to lose your home!

Luckily the schools that were hit did tornado drills, so students were prepared for this, but this deadly tornado took them by surprise. Oklahoma is a mess right now. Remains of buildings, houses, and other things, was almost all that was left of where this lethal twister had hit. President Obama even came to help the people of Oklahoma and helped them. This tornado was pretty big and even more tornados had hit after this one.