Tornadoes wreak havoc across the state

Dozens of communities are picking up debris left behind from the tornado and storms that pummeled the Sooner State on Saturday.

The City of Morris and residents are in the midst of recovery efforts that left trees broken and uprooted, power lines snapped, and citizens in the dark.

The National Weather Service reported the twister’s estimated peak wind was 105 to 110 mph, and traveled 11.3 miles.

“This tornado developed west of Schulter and moved northeast across Hwy. 75 and the Deep Fork Nation- al Wildlife Refuge. It widened and strengthened as it moved across the E1000 Road, where numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. The tornado continued to widen as it approached Morris. Numerous homes and businesses were damaged in Morris, then the tornado turned to the north and dissipated about a mile north of town.”

As the daylight came Sunday morning, residents, and emergency responders began to take assessment of the damage, thankful there were no injuries or deaths.

For many people in the town and county, the anniversary of the 1984 tornado that ravaged Morris came to mind. In fact, it was 40 years ago, April 26, 1984, the storm destroyed the entire business section as well as about one half of the housing. Nine people were killed and many more injured.

The Oklahoma Standard was in full display once again as numerous family members, volunteers, businesses and churches responded to the Morris area, providing much needed equipment to begin cleaning up the town, along with providing water and provisions.

PSO crews, along with East Central Electric worked round the clock to get the power back on to the city.

Some of the buildings at Morris Public Schools suffered damage from the storm, including damage to buses, trees blocking entrances to buildings, a broken light pole which caused damage to the gymnasium roof, and visitors’ side bleachers at the stadium were blown over.

Due to the extensive damage, and for safety concerns, Superintendent Chris Karch announced closure of school for Monday and Tuesday, with hopes to return on Wednesday. However, if that wasn’t possible, the district would make up for classes on Friday.

As the recovery process began, the outpouring of support from the county was on full display. Businesses such as Raven Rock Pizza, McCoy’s, Frisco Liquidation, and several restaurants provided water and other supplies for residents in need.

The Muscogee Nation gave its full support to the Town of Morris, with many Lighthorse officers in the area to assist with the searching of homes that had been hit by the tornado.

The Muscogee Nation Lighthorse was also involved in the efforts in Holdenville, with many officers and dispatchers staying at their post to assist in whatever way possible.

The American Red Cross was also stationed to provide citizens with assistance and resources to begin recovery.

Portions of Okmulgee County were already working to clean up after storms early Thursday morning caused damage north of Okmulgee. Alternate Hwy. 75 was closed for a time as repair was made to broken power lines, along with removal of trees that closed the roadway. Workers with District 2 and Commissioner David Walker worked to get the road open. Damage was reported at the Okmulgee Airport, and south, the Okmulgee Cemetery was hit by very high winds, toppling and breaking numerous trees, turning over headstones, and blocking access around the cemetery.

The storm traveled over the Oakwood Addition off of Mission Road, where there numerous broken trees, and some homes received damage.

On Monday, the Okmulgee County Commissioners held an emergency meeting to declare the county a disaster area. Gov. Kevin Stitt had already declared 12 other counties to the list, and according to a post Monday evening by Okmulgee County Emergency Management, Okmulgee County was due to be added to the list.

Counties on the list are Carter, Cotton, Garfield, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Lincoln, Love, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc and Wagoner.

The number of confirmed tornadoes during Saturday’s severe weather was 25, according to the National Weather Service on Monday. Four people were killed in the storms – two in Holdenville, one near Marietta and one in Sulphur, authorities said. At least 100 people were injured.