TULSA, Oklahoma – The residents of north-east Oklahoma found themselves in the grips of a suspected long-track tornado late Saturday night into Sunday morning. The severe weather caused widespread damage and left a trail of destruction in its wake across several counties in the region.
Incident commander Jared Dill confirmed the tragic news of two fatalities following the severe storms in Green Country. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross swiftly sprang into action, opening evacuation centers to provide much-needed comfort and care to those impacted by the devastation.
Reports from various Emergency Management agencies detailed the extent of the damages, with homes, trees, and power lines all bearing the brunt of the storm’s wrath. From Delaware County to Rogers County, communities were left dealing with the aftermath of the destructive weather conditions.
In Claremore, the First Baptist Church and the County Courthouse were among the numerous structures damaged. Search and rescue operations were underway with assistance from neighboring emergency management agencies, showcasing a display of unity and support during a challenging time.
The storm system’s intensity resulted in power outages affecting thousands of residents across the state, with Rogers, Mayes, McCurtain, Delaware, and Bryan counties experiencing the highest number of outages. In addition to the outages, reports indicated multiple injuries in various areas, emphasizing the human toll of the disaster.
As the Oklahoma Highway Patrol urged people to avoid Claremore and emergency crews worked to contain gas leaks and repair downed power lines, the community rallied together to navigate through the upheaval caused by the severe weather event. The road to recovery would be a long one, but the resilience and spirit of the people affected by the storm shone through amidst the darkness.