Wednesday, February 11, 2009

At Least 8 Dead In Southern Oklahoma Tornado



CSW was among the first in America to report this last night- a powerful tornado formed Tuesday evening in extreme northern Texas and moved across the Red River into southern Oklahoma- striking the city of Lone Grove west of Ardmore around 7:30pm..
Here is a link to the Associated Press story.

At least 8 are confirmed dead with at least 25 people injured with at least 14 serious injuries in and around Lone Grove- a city of around 5000 people 7 miles west of Ardmore-OK..

The tornado was well-warned. This reporter was listening as a reporter from KXII-TV12 in Sherman-Gainesville-TX who had been following the storm saw the "large- violent tornado" heading for the Lone Grove and Ardmore area.

The reporter became "trapped" in Lone Grove and reported the sequence of events afterwards- including the first word of fatalities just before 9pm Tuesday night.



KXII-TV12 and KKAJ-FM95.7 in Ardmore continually broadcast watches- warnings and information from the area before- during and after the storms struck- likely reducing the death toll.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center had forecasted a severe weather outbreak for the area early Tuesday- and had timely watches and warnings in effect for the area when the tornado struck.

Around 20000 people also lost power in and around the Lone Grove-Ardmore and Springer-OK areas.

Rescuers who worked in debris piles that were homes and businesses in Lone Grove waited until this morning to make a more comprehensive search for victims and fear finding additional fatalities from the storm.

The tornado was part of a powerful spring-like storm system that is moving into the eastern U.S. this morning.

Another tornado touched down around 3pm Tuesday in the northern suburbs of Oklahoma City- causing damage and at least 5 injuries in the Edmond-OK. area.


_________

No comments:

Tornado Strikes Monroe LA With Confirmed Injuries

The tornado struck around noon on Easter Sunday. There is considerable damage repo rted in that northeastern Louisiana city of around 5000...