In a matter of minutes on the evening of March 6, a powerful tornado tore through the heart of Okmulgee County, leaving behind devastation, heartbreak and loss. Yet in the midst of tragedy, the community of Beggs and neighbors from across Oklahoma – have shown the strength, compassion and resilience that define smalltown Oklahoma.

The tornado, rated EF-3 with winds estimated between 135 and 140 mph, carved a destructive 6.8-mile path across the area beginning shortly after 7:17 p.m. on the west side of Beggs before dissipating around 7:29 p.m. near Liberty, just south of the Tulsa County line. At its widest point, the tornado stretched nearly 950 yards across, leaving destruction in neighborhoods, farmland and the Beggs Public Schools campus.

Two lives were tragically lost, two others were injured, homes were destroyed and a community was forever changed.

But in the days that followed, something equally powerful emerged – an overwhelming wave of support, courage and determination to rebuild.

According to the National Weather Service damage survey, the tornado first touched down on the west side of Beggs, immediately striking the Beggs Public Schools campus.

The high school and middle school buildings sustained major roof damage, with the middle school facing the most damage, with gaping holes in the roof and classrooms open to the ele- ments. The district bus barn lost significant portions of its roof and overhead doors. Debris was scattered across the area as the storm intensified. Bleachers at the softball and baseball fields were uprooted, and twisted into unrecognizable shapes.

From there, the tornado crossed 15th Street, snapping trees and ripping them from the ground before continuing northeast past Happy Camp Road.

As the storm tracked toward Grimes Road, it reached its most destructive phase.

Several homes lost roofs and windows. Outbuildings were flattened. Trees were stripped of limbs.

One single-wide manufactured home was completely destroyed.

Nearby, a double-wide manufactured home was obliterated, leaving almost nothing behind.

It was here that tragedy struck. — Remembering Todd & Becky McClellan Among those killed were Todd and Becky Mc-Clellan, beloved members of the Beggs community whose lives were tragically cut short when the tornado destroyed their home.

Their daughter, Savanna Garcia, shared the devastating news with the community in an emotional message.

“Our family is heartbroken to share that my parents were tragically killed in the tornado. We are still in shock and trying to process this devastating loss. Everything my parents worked for their entire lives is gone.”

Friends and family describe Todd and Becky as devoted parents, grandparents and neighbors who built their lives around family and community.

Their son Ace McClellan survived the storm, along with his fiancee, but suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized while beginning what family members say will be a long road to recovery.

The family’s farm was completely destroyed in the storm, leaving them not only grieving but also facing overwhelming financial challenges.

A community fundraiser has been created to help with funeral expenses, medical bills and rebuilding efforts.

Loved ones wrote: “Todd and Becky were deeply loved parents, grandparents and friends. Their sudden loss has left an unimaginable void for their children, grandchildren and everyone who knew them.”

— First responders rush to help

Even before the storm had fully passed, emergency responders were racing toward the damage path.

Beggs Fire Department was among the first on scene.

Soon they were joined by a massive coordinated response involving:

• Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office

• Okmulgee County Emergency Management

• Beggs Fire Department

• Nuyaka Fire Department

• Twin Hills Fire Department

• Preston Fire Department

• Mounds Fire Department

• Tulsa Fire Department

• Okmulgee County EMS

• Oklahoma Highway Patrol

• Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO)

• Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police

• Muscogee Nation Emergency Response Teams

• Oklahoma Task Force One

• Local law enforcement agencies and volunteers Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice confirmed the tragic loss of life and praised the efforts of responders.

“Please keep the citizens of Beggs in your prayers,” Rice said. “Last night’s tornado left a path of destruction and loss of lives.” Search crews worked throughout the night combing through debris.

Oklahoma Task Force One, a specialized urban search and rescue team, arrived around 7 p.m. and worked until nearly 4 a.m., conducting a full secondary search and documenting damage.

Crews systematically marked structures along the tornado’s path to ensure all residents were accounted for.

— State leaders respond

Within hours of the disaster, state leaders were mobilizing resources.

Governor Kevin Stitt deployed Oklahoma Task Force One and coordinated assistance through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

Okmulgee County officials said the Governor’s office was in contact shortly after the storm.

Sheriff Rice said he received a call around 7:30 p.m. from the Governor’s Chief of Staff, the state Emergency Manager and the Secretary of State regarding the unfolding disaster.

State Senator Bryan Logan of Paden issued a statement expressing condolences and praising the community’s response.

“Last night’s storms brought heartbreaking news to eastern Oklahoma. We now know that at least two lives were lost near Beggs, and my prayers are with their families and neighbors as they face an unimaginable loss.”

Logan also praised the cooperation among local and tribal partners.

“I’m grateful for the swift assistance provided by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose partnership and support have been invaluable during this response.”

State Representative Chris Banning of Bixby echoed those sentiments.

“My heart is with those who are grieving and with everyone in the area dealing with the aftermath of this devastation.”

— Muscogee Nation provides immediate aid The Muscogee Nation played a crucial role in the response.

Principal Chief David Hill and tribal emergency teams quickly deployed equipment including emergency generators, a mobile drone trailer, a command post at Beggs City Hall and response personnel.

Their teams assisted local responders with search operations, damage assessment and coordination.

Officials said the tribal government’s quick action was instrumental in stabilizing the situation during the first critical hours.

— Schools damaged, classes cancelled

The tornado’s direct hit on Beggs Public Schools has created major disruptions for students and families.

District officials announced the campus will remain closed March 9-13 to allow for damage assessments, cleanup and repairs.

The following week (March 16–20) was already scheduled as Spring Break, meaning students are currently expected to return Monday, March 23, unless further updates are issued.

School leaders emphasized the importance of safety during the recovery process.

The campus remains closed while engineers and restoration crews evaluate structural damage.

— Community steps up to help

While emergency crews were still working, volunteers across the region began mobilizing.

Local residents delivered food, water and supplies to first responders.

One volunteer effort organized 65 sack lunches for emergency workers with help from local businesses including:

• Crew’s Corner

• Walmart in Okmulgee

• Patrons Bank

• Beggs First United Methodist Church Community members also began organizing donation drives.

The Okmulgee County 4-H program is collecting classroom supplies for teachers who lost materials in the storm.

Requested donations include folders, pens, pencils, cleaning supplies and other classroom materials.

Items can be dropped off at the Okmulgee County Extension Office.

A big thanks goes to the many workers from various companies, like East Central Electric, PSO, OG&E and others who worked around the clock to get power poles and transmission lines replaced. According to East Central Electric, over 8,000 customers were without power after the storm, but that number had been reduced to about 40 the day after the event.

— Ranchers also in need of help

In rural areas hit hardest by the tornado, ranchers are dealing with another challenge – animals scattered across destroyed fences.

One volunteer wrote that nearly a mile of fencing was wiped out, leaving cattle, horses, sheep and goats roaming loose.

The community is being asked to donate fencing supplies, halters, feed buckets, saddles and tack and animal feed and water containers.

Anyone able to help can arrange pickup or delivery through community organizers.

— Damage forces major changes at Beggs Public Schools Beggs Public Schools officials have released a detailed update to the community following the devastating tornado that struck the area, outlining the extensive damage to school facilities and the steps being taken to move forward while prioritizing student safety.

In a message shared with the community, school leaders informed “Demon Nation” that the storm caused significant destruction across multiple parts of the campus and district infrastructure.

Among the most severe losses were the school’s baseball and softball facilities, both of which were reported to be completely destroyed and will need to be replaced.

Transportation services were also heavily impacted. According to the update, all route buses except one are currently inoperable, while the district’s SUVs and activity buses survived the storm. The bus barn and maintenance shop suffered devastating damage, described by the district as “decimated.”

Damage to academic facilities was also extensive. The middle school dome sustained damage, though officials believe it can be repaired and reopened. However, the middle school building itself will not be used for the remainder of the current school year.

School leaders reported that the north end of the middle school building sustained particularly severe damage, with portions of the structure “extremely tore up,” including red iron structural components that are bent and considered unsafe.

The tornado also caused major damage to the district’s infrastructure systems. Officials confirmed that the storm pulled a gas line out of the ground, requiring a full replacement. In addition, the district’s electrical system was torn apart but is currently being restored as recovery work continues.

Technology systems also suffered damage, as the storm disrupted fiber lines that serve the district’s network systems, creating additional challenges for operations.

Despite the widespread destruction, school leaders emphasized that a plan is already being developed to ensure students can continue learning safely.

The administrative team is currently working on a plan for middle school students, which will be presented to parents during an upcoming back-toschool meeting. Officials said the details are still being finalized and could change as recovery efforts progress, which is why the full plan has not yet been released publicly.

What is known at this time is that middle school students will not return to the damaged building this year, but they will still attend classes on campus in another capacity.

District leaders stressed that student safety and education remain the district’s top priority during the recovery process.

“We would like to give out accurate information,” the statement explained, noting that conditions remain fluid as crews continue assessing damage and making repairs.

Cleanup and recovery work is still underway across campus, and officials are urging the public to stay away from the school grounds.

School leaders reminded residents that many buildings remain unsafe, and with heavy cleanup operations continuing, the district is asking everyone to stay off campus and follow procedures and guidance issued by administrators.

The Beggs school community has expressed gratitude for the patience and support shown by parents, students, and residents as the district works through the aftermath of the storm.

“Thank you for all your support and patience while we continue to work on all of this,” the update stated.

Officials said additional photos and video footage of the damage will continue to be shared with the community as information becomes available.

Even in the face of devastation, district leaders closed the update with a message reflecting the resilience and pride of the Beggs community: “Once again thank you and it’s a great day to be a Golden Demon.”