Dozens injured across Oklahoma from severe storms, state of emergency in effect
Emergency management officials reported more than 70 people across Oklahoma were injured in storms that spanned from Thursday through Saturday and all 77 counties remain under a state of emergency.
Much of the state is getting a break over the weekend following waves of severe storms that began Tuesday and brought tornadoes, damaging hail, high winds and floodwaters.
Sixteen tornadoes were reported last week to the National Weather Service, with eight reported on Tuesday alone.
One of the twisters tore through Beckham County Tuesday night, where it destroyed about 40 homes and severely damaged dozens of others just south of Elk City. Gene “Bo” Mikles, 53, was killed just after he reportedly had called the Beckham County sheriff’s office on an unrelated matter and told them he was about to flee from the tornado.
Mikles’ body was later found by neighbors in a field behind his home, several hundred feet away from his pickup.
Thousands were left without power following the storms, with some still without electricity as of Saturday. Elk City police and Beckham County deputies shut down part of State Highway 6 on Saturday morning so that crews could work to restore power to the city.
As of 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. reported more than 3,500 customers were without power, including more than 800 in Muskogee and 929 in Texanna.
By Thursday, conditions for severe weather had ramped up again and five tornadoes were reported touching down across the state. While most were confined to rural areas in western Oklahoma, one reported tornado is being blamed for damage to homes and businesses in New Cordell, whose population numbers about 3,000.
Thursday’s storms also brought heavy rains that led to flooding conditions for much of southern and eastern Oklahoma. As of 1 p.m. Saturday, parts of Coal and Hughes counties had received more than 7 inches of rain in 48 hours.
The Oklahoma Mesonet weather network reported Stuart and Centrahoma had both received more than 7.65 inches of rain since Thursday.
In Seminole County, where more than 6.5 inches had fallen since Thursday, a 22-year-old man was killed early Saturday morning after he attempted to drive on a section of road that had been washed away from floodwaters. Matthew Summers, of Sasakwa, was pronounced dead at the scene after his pickup struck an embankment, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.
Seminole County emergency management officials reported extensive damage to roadways and highway flooding from Friday storms.
Emergency management officials in Pittsburg County reported extensive flooding, which washed out and closed many county roads. A train was derailed due to a damaged railroad bridge.
A number of water rescues were reported in Johnston County as floodwaters surrounded homes. Pontotoc County officials reported floodwaters had damaged homes and led to road closures.
All 77 counties remain under a state of emergency following a declaration by Gov. Mary Fallin on April 29. The order, which is in effect for 30 days since it was issued, allows for state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness and is the first step toward seeking federal aid if necessary.
An American Red Cross shelter remains open in Muskogee for residents displaced by storms, located at the Muskogee First Baptist Church, 111 S. 7 St.
Crews from the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are in Elk City to help clear large debris from Tuesday’s tornado. Residents in areas affected by recent severe weather that need assistance from chain-saw teams can request assistance at www.okdisasterhelp.org.
Severe weather could return to the state as early as Monday, according to the weather service.