Tornado rips through Choctaw, Harrah
Dozens of homes destroyed in eastern Oklahoma County
County Commissioner Brian Maughan speaks to Gov. Kevin Stitt, while Mayor of Choctaw Chad Allcox, right, and other local officials look on.
By Ryan Horton
Choctaw Times
A tornado touched down near SE 15th Street and Triple X Road and ripped a nearly 20-mile long northeastern path through eastern Oklahoma County around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
The storm left dozens of homes destroyed, hundreds of properties damaged, and dozens of eastern Oklahoma County residents injured.
No deaths were reported.
The National Weather Service found at least EF-3 damage in the Choctaw and Harrah area.
As many as seven tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma early Sunday morning. Officials say the three largest tornadoes caused damage in the Newcastle, southeast Oklahoma City, and Harrah and Choctaw area of eastern Oklahoma County.
The weather service said the Sooner Road tornado, near Valley Brook, is rated as an EF-3 and the Comanche tornado, in Stephens County, will be rated at least an EF-2. Damage from Newcastle’s twister will be rated at least EF-1.
No fatalities were reported , and those hurt had non-life-threatening injuries, police reported.
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Sunday issued a state of emergency for Cleveland, Garvin, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Stephens counties due to tornadoes, straight line winds and flooding with the storms that began Saturday.
Mayor of Choctaw Chad Allcox said that 15 homes in the Railhead neighborhood were “completely leveled” in addition to 49 other homes being damaged.
“We definitely weren’t expecting this tornado, but the outpouring of support has been amazing,” said Allcox. “In bad times there is always something good, and once again the community comes together to help one another pick up the pieces.”
Among those answering the call for assistance include local business owners, churches, and nearly every local high school coach and team offering their strength and numbers to assist their neighbors.
“I’m sure people are overwelmingly wanting to help, and if you need numbers for help with clean up, Choctaw Yellowjacket Baseball would be glad to make something happen. I know our players would love to serve the community and help where we can if you’re in need,” said head baseball coach Shane Hawk. “Please reach out to me and we can take some days to come help with any residential or commercial cleanups on your property while also trying to maintain safety for the players who will be willing to help.”
The tornado touched down in east Choctaw and went through Harrah and a large portion of unincorporated eastern Oklahoma County.
“As far as within the city limits of Harrah, we had four or five destroyed,” said Harrah city manager Matt Mears. “I believe most of the damage was in unincorporated areas.”
By Sunday the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office had identified eight homes that were destroyed near Triple X Road and SE 15th Street,
Red Cross temporary shelters were setup at the Choctaw Middle School gymnasium, located at 14663 Northeast 3rd St., and Grand Casino, located at 777 Grand Casino Boulevard in Shawnee. Hillside Baptist Church, at 333892 East 1040 Rd. in McCloud, also opened for residents impacted by the storms.
Local first responders and the Red Cross have been delivering items to affected areas.
Donations needed include tarps, water, food and shovels and other lawn tools.
A plethora of road closings and power outages continued through Sunday.
A non-emergency line is available to report damage in Oklahoma County at 405-566-0397. Damage can also be reported at Damage.OK.gov. Please do not call 911 for a non-emergency.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has setup at Choctaw Road Baptist Church.
From debris cleanup to emergency repairs, they’re offering help to those in need.
Visit www.okdisasterhelp.org/request-assistance/ to request assistance and see what support is available.
Choctaw Church of Christ, at Choctaw Road and Reno Ave. also has a disaster relief team that can be reached at 405-390-8732.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office enacted a nightfall curfew for the affected areas. Officials ask that you stay in your home after nightfall or gather needed items to leave before dark.
Officials remind citizens to not go around barricades.
The remains of an eastern Oklahoma County home that was destroyed during early Sunday morning storms.
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