Storms on May 20 produced damage from tornadoes and strong winds in Eastern Oklahoma. In response, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) has assigned chainsaw teams to work in Wilburton, Fort Gibson, Blanco and Pittsburgh. Other areas will be assessed, and DR will respond as needed according to Jason Yarbrough, director of Oklahoma Baptist DR.
“Monday’s storms were set up to be the worst we’ve seen in a long time in Oklahoma,” Yarbrough said. “Fortunately, it didn’t turn out that way. There was some tornado damage across the Eastern part of our state.”
The damage spread from just East of Ada all the way up to the Arkansas border. There was significant damage south of McAlester in the communities of Pittsburgh, Blanco and others in a northeasterly line towards Arkansas. There was also damage in Fort Gibson and Stillwell.
“We have chainsaw teams in Fort Gibson, Stillwell and the Blanco area doing some initial cleanup and assessment of things that need to be done,” Yarbrough said.
There are also additional assessors driving up the path of the storms to find any damage that needs to be taken care of. This cleanup effort is being accomplished by Oklahomans trying to help their neighbors by serving both their physical and spiritual needs.
“As is the case here in Oklahoma we see Oklahomans helping fellow Oklahomans in need,” Yarbrough said. “A lot of tree and debris work is being done that way. Our teams are ready to be hands and feet of Jesus helping with any work that others can’t do.”
Oklahoma DR requests prayers for workers and those impacted by the storms. Homeowners that have been impacted by tornado or wind damage can fill out a request for assistance form located on the DR website, www.okdisasterhelp.org. Financial donations to DR to assist in natural disaster recovery efforts can also be made on the DR website.
