Revisiting Sulphur: 1 year after devastating tornado

Nearly a year after an EF-3 tornado tore through downtown Sulphur, much of the damage left behind remains, but the resilience of the people who survived still stands tall. Business owners and city leaders are working to rebuild what was lost on April 27, 2024, when 35 tornadoes touched down across Oklahoma that weekend making it the worst outbreak of the year.

A Night of Devastation

Kathy John, owner of the Sulphur Times-Democrat, recalled the night the tornado hit.

"We have a big storm shelter at home, and he and I were actually in the shelter," John said.

After the storm had passed, John saw that downtown had taken a direct hit.

Julie Jack, owner of the boutique 3rd & Broadway, described the destruction.

"It looked like a giant had just pressed his hand down on the top of the building, and the sides were pushed out," Jack said.

City Manager Andy Freeman was at his parents' house when the storm struck.

"It came almost right over the top of us before it ever sat down inside the park," Freeman said.

Immediate Aftermath

One person was killed, at least 30 others were hurt, and about 75 homes were damaged when the tornado hit Sulphur on April 27, 2024.

Osage SkyNews 6 flew over Sulphur the following day with first light revealing extensive damage to businesses, homes, and public buildings. City officials reported that the entire downtown business district sustained extensive damage, including a bar that had about a dozen people inside when the tornado struck.

The woman who died was inside that bar when the building collapsed. The bar’s owner, Raina Valkoun, recalled the moment the tornado hit.

"I looked and saw the windows just imploding, straight at me. And at that point, I saw the whole building coming at me. I turned and I just went down and just went next to my cabinet and curled up," Valkoun said.

Valkoun was trapped for 45 minutes before first responders rescued her. She hoped the other woman inside had also survived.

"I was hoping that they’d find her and she had found a breathing hole like I did. I’m hoping that she went fast. What I did was lay there, wondering if I was going to die or not die and worrying about it. I’m hoping she didn’t have that worry," Valkoun said.

Police closed off parts of downtown to prevent looting, warning that trespassers would be arrested. Meanwhile, residents like Dustin Payne, who was home with his two kids, shared the chaos he and his family endured as the storm hit. Payne tried to get his family to their shelter, but a tree fell on their car before they could make it.

"It was very intense," Payne said. "We just tried to stay calm. Thankfully, we're all okay, and now we’re just picking up the pieces."

Sulphur school officials cancelled classes the following Monday. District officials later confirmed the high school lost electricity and every school bus sustained damage.

Rebuilding Efforts

Sulphur was in the midst of a revival before the tornado struck, with businesses filling up the town's historic brick buildings.

"It was really coming back around, but this just put an end to it," Freeman said.

Now, the Chickasaw Nation is offering grants to help businesses rebuild in a way that preserves Sulphur’s historic charm.

"Now we can build something hopefully back that has the look but with modern stuff inside," Freeman said.

Returning to Downtown

Some businesses have relocated to a different part of town. Jack’s boutique, originally at 3rd and Broadway, has reopened at 2nd and Muskogee, keeping the same name and signature turquoise door.

"We wanted to be here for Sulphur," Jack said. "We love it."

The Sulphur Times-Democrat also moved back after months of working from home while waiting on insurance and repairs.

"We set up on our kitchen table for six months," John said.

Looking Ahead

Sulphur is preparing for its first major event since the storm: the Chickasaw Nation’s annual arts festival on April 5. The event typically draws 8,000 to 10,000 visitors.

Despite the devastation, Freeman wants people to know Sulphur is still here.

"We've had a lot of people call and say, ‘Oh, we thought the whole town was wiped off the map,’" Freeman said. "We're still here. Come back and see us."