Osage County, OK, USA - May 7, 2024

In a heart-stopping moment captured by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) officer, a tornado touched down Monday night in Osage County, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Trooper Landon Miller, stationed in the area, managed to film the tornado as it tore through the landscape, illuminated by bursts of lightning that punctuated the ominous scene. The footage, shared on OHP's social media platforms, provides a chilling glimpse into the power and ferocity of the natural phenomenon.

Reports indicate that the tornado, clocking speeds of approximately 60 mph, traversed from Barnsdall to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, leaving a path of devastation in its wake.

Preliminary assessments by the National Weather Service (NWS) have categorized the tornado as an EF-4, a designation reserved for tornadoes with wind speeds ranging from 166 to 200 mph. Survey crews are currently on the ground assessing the extent of the damage in Barnsdall and Bartlesville.

Amidst the chaos, the community grapples with the aftermath of yesterday's storms, which have accounted for around nine tornadoes and tragically claimed one life. As survey crews continue their evaluations and search and rescue efforts persist, the full extent of the devastation wrought by the tornado becomes increasingly apparent.