Oklahoma: First Earthquakes now massive storms produce tornadoes, fierce flooding

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Pastor Dale Morgan

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Nov 8, 2011, 2:30:06 AM11/8/11
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Perilous Times

Oklahoma: First Earthquakes now massive storms produce tornadoes, fierce flooding


Evidence of one tornado had been confirmed, but the National Weather Service will continue to investigate and several more confirmations are likely, meteorologist Forrest Mitchell said.
 
BY MATT DINGER and TIFFANY GIBSON Oklahoman  
Published: November 8, 2011

Massive storms rush in after a series of Earthquakes shakes Oklahoma.

A tornado was confirmed in southwestern Oklahoma on Monday afternoon, and there were reports of several more with the storm.

The tornado appears to have touched down near the Texas state line and moved northeast across the Wichita Mountain Refuge and toward the Fort Cobb reservoir.

Evidence of one tornado had been confirmed, but the National Weather Service will continue to investigate and several more confirmations are likely, meteorologist Forrest Mitchell said.

Damage reported

In Tillman County, a farmhouse southeast of Tipton was damaged, emergency manager Randy Hasley said. The family hid in the cellar and no one was injured. They were trapped inside when emergency responders arrived.

“It looked like the house may have taken a glancing blow,” Hasley said.

An Oklahoma State University farm experiment building south of Tipton was destroyed, but no one was at the site.

Dairy barns were hit about seven miles west of Frederick. Some animals and hay bales were lost, but the main structures remain intact, he said.

“It didn't hit the main ones. There was tin, hay and everything else. It was a pretty big one there. It could have done several million dollars worth of damage if it hit the dairy straight on,” Hasley said.

One garage was damaged in Kiowa County, Oklahoma Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain said, and minor roof damage to several homes was reported in Caddo County.

An airport in Washita County recorded winds of 92 mph and 60 mph gusts were reported in several areas of the county, according to the weather service. Hail stones as large as limes also were recorded across many parts of the state as the storms tracked to the northeast.

People rescued

During heavy rain and persistent storms, Sulphur firefighters rescued nine people from flooded homes Sunday night.

Pete Haines, fire marshal for the Sulphur Fire Department, said four homes were evacuated within three blocks of W 10 and W Tulsa Street because of flooding.

Knee deep in water, Haines and other firefighters helped walk residents out of their homes.

“Some people took clothes and personal items. The rest were left with the clothes on their backs,” Haines said.

One of the firefighters who responded to the flooding went to his house to retrieve a boat to rescue residents, but Haines said they didn't have to use it because the water was shallow enough.

He said most of the residents returned to their homes Monday after the water level had receded.

Heavy rainfall

The Oklahoma Mesonet site in Ringling recorded 6.82 inches of rain during the 24-hour period ending 6 p.m. Monday. In Sulphur, 5.34 inches fell in the same time frame and 3.63 inches fell at the Vanoss site.

Joe Jordan, Murray County Emergency Management director, said the rain began after noon Sunday and heavier showers started about 10 p.m.

“The thunderstorms were coming at a straight line. We were pretty sure we were going to get at least 5 inches,” he said.

By midnight, Jordan said the water was rising over bridges at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. He said Turner Falls in Davis also had damage.

“They had a lot of damage to their parking lot, their new entrance and exit roads they built in the last year,” Jordan said.

With future storms, Jordan said residents should be aware of their surroundings, especially if there is a chance of flooding.

“Just be aware of water crossing the road,” he said. “Do not drive into running water. It's not worth risking your life.”

Wall at field collapses

Sunday night and Monday morning rains caused the left field wall of the Sulphur High School girls' softball complex to collapse, said Gary Jones, Sulphur Schools superintendent.

The metal wall caved in because of floodwaters that washed out soil around it, he said. There was a lot of water in the front lawn at the high school, but no water got into the building, Jones said.

CONTRIBUTING:

Robert Medley, staff writer


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