More than 100 homes and businesses in the Idabel area saw damage after a tornado struck Friday night. (Provided photo/PSO)
The crew proceeded to restore power in and around Idabel over the weekend after the town of McCarten County was hit by an EF3 tornado on Friday night.
But with over 100 homes and businesses damaged by the Twister, it will take time for people to return to normal life. One person died and several were injured in the storm.
After touring the area, Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency in McCarten, Bryan, Choctaw, and Leflore counties.
A tornado with speeds of up to 108 miles per hour swept across the southeastern corner of the state, causing about 3,000 reported power outages after clearing a path around the neighboring Texas town of Powderley. The PSO said infrastructure was severely damaged, including transmission structures, utility poles, crossarms and wires. Several downed lines were buried under the rubble, including about a mile of feeder lines to the Eagletown area. Heavy equipment was brought in to clear the bush, but the wet or waterlogged soil made fieldwork difficult, the company said.
By Monday, PSO said the crew had completed nearly all repairs and would continue work until customers were back online. However, some customers have caused extensive damage to their homes and businesses and have been unable to reconnect to power for some time.
In a statement, Stitt said Oklahoma will support recovery efforts.
“The state stands ready to send all the help, support and resources needed to help Southeastern Oklahoma recover and rebuild from this devastating storm,” he said. is strong and resilient. We will rebuild these homes and businesses.”
Public Education Superintendent Joy Hoffmeister said the Oklahoma Department of Education’s crisis response team has provided resources to affected school district administrators.
“Our hearts go out to the communities of Idabel, Hugo, Valiant, Dennison, and the surrounding towns,” she said.
Cody McDaniel, McCarten County’s emergency management chief, confirmed one person had died from the tornado, but could not immediately provide details. Even in the small town of Idabel, I saw churches, medical centers, and schools falling apart.
“The south and east sides of Idabel have been completely destroyed,” said Stephen Carter, the local emergency management coordinator.
The Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency’s Kelly Kane said at least three other counties were also hit by the storm.
Officials in Lamar County, Texas, said at least 50 homes were damaged or destroyed and 10 people were treated at one hospital, two of whom were seriously injured. No fatalities were reported immediately.
The county’s highest elected official, Judge Brandon Bell, has declared the area a disaster and has taken steps to get federal assistance and funding. At least 20 people were injured throughout the county, according to Bell’s declaration.
The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management Department said the tornado made landfall just after 4 p.m.
“This has taken a long time to clean up, but the community has come together,” said Randi Johnson, chief of the Powderly Volunteer Fire Department. “It’s really heartbreaking to watch.”
The church opened the doors for the house to serve as a shelter for those affected.
