November 22, 2024 04:49 AM

North Dakota Tornado [PHOTOS + VIDEO]: Injures 9, Obliterates 12 RVs

North Dakota tornado just hit an oil field camp and completely wiped out 12 RVs whilst injuring nine people on Monday evening. According to officials, the North Dakota tornado ripped across part of North Dakota and damaged an oil field camp whilst also destroying at least a dozen recreational vehicles.

The North Dakota tornado reportedly hit the area on Monday evening about six miles south of Watford City, said the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency Management Director Jerry Samuelson of McKenzie County reportedly told the Associated Press that the North Dakota tornado damaged about 15 trailers housing workers about 5 miles south of Watford City and 30 miles southwest of Williston, the center of the state's oil supply.

AP notes that North Dakota's oil boom "has led to a population explosion in western North Dakota." Many oil workers are reportedly residing in "hastily-assembled trailer parks or man camps, which contain pre-fabricated structures that can resemble military barracks." According to the news agency, some oil companies rent blocks of hotel rooms for employees, while North Dakota's workers sleep in their cars or even tents.

According to the sheriff's department, nine people were injured because of the North Dakota tornado hitting the oil field camp. Eight of the injured are now suffering minor injuries, while one is in critical condition and has been flown to Trinity Hospital in Minot.

The critically injured person is currently in treatment, said Samuelson. He added that all the people at the oil worker camp had been accounted for. He said, "Obviously, we're very fortunate there are no deaths, to our knowledge."

The National Weather Service in Bismark said that the path of the North Dakota tornado included an oil field camp five miles south of Watford City.

CNN reports that the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office said 12 to 15 RVs were destroyed at an RV park.

North Dakota tornado has induced minor injuries and damages to the area. It may have already passed, however people are advised to prepare for possible severe weather again on Tuesday for parts of North Dakota. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service were en route to the area early Tuesday in order to survey the damage and assess the strength of the tornado.

To watch the North Dakota tornado hitting the state, see video below.

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Weather, Weather news, World news, U.S. news
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