Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2009 – 9:30 p.m. – Situation Update 2

Due to the severe weather, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Level Two activation, which involves extended operating hours for key personnel. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas.

A strong storm system moved into Oklahoma today and combined with unseasonable warmth and moisture to produce widespread severe thunderstorms. The storms developed early afternoon across southwest and central Oklahoma. At least three tornadoes were confirmed with these storms, impacting Edmond, Pawnee and Lone Grove. A line of storms will continue to move across eastern Oklahoma during the overnight hours.

3 fatalities reported in Lone Grove

25 to 50 injuries reported in Lone Grove

3 minor injuries reported in Oklahoma City – EMSA reports all were treated at the scene for debris and broken glass injuries in the NW Expressway and Rockwell area.

About 29,000 OG&E customers are without power, including 9,957 in Bethany.

American Red Cross has opened shelters at:

Heritage Hall Center, on West Broadway, in downtown Ardmore

Waterloo Baptist Church at 3100 E. Waterloo, in Edmond

Messiah Lutheran Church at 3600 NW Expressway, in Oklahoma City.

Earlier, Red Cross supported first responders in the Oklahoma City metro area by providing more than 200 meals. Wednesday morning they will be doing disaster assessments in conjunction with Edmond and Oklahoma City emergency management officials.

Salvation Army reports they have a canteen at NW Expressway and Rockwell in Oklahoma City. They are also responding to Lone Grove.

Baptist Disaster Relief is responding to Lone Grove to assist with feeding and emotional care. 

Lone Grove Emergency Management reports tornado hit trailer park. Search and rescue is underway at this time.

Logan County Emergency Management reports 20 homes were damaged -- 16 are in the Oak Cliff Fire District and 4 are near the intersection of Highway 105 and Henney, east of Guthrie. No reports of injuries. Initial damage assessments begin tomorrow morning.

Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports Oklahoma Department of Transportation maintenance facility two miles east of Tecumseh on Highway 9 was damaged.

Jefferson County Emergency Management reports they are providing mutual aid to Lone Grove along with fire, law enforcement and emergency management officials from Waurika and Ringling.

Wilson Emergency Management reports 1 house damaged.

Edmond Emergency Management reports 6 homes destroyed near Oak Tree country club.

Oklahoma City Emergency Management reports damage due to a possible tornado at NW Expressway and Rockwell in Oklahoma City. There is damage to businesses, homes and apartments and power lines are down.

National Weather Service confirms tornadoes touched down in Edmond, Pawnee and Lone Grove. Additionally, baseball size hail was reported in Yukon and Guthrie.

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