Residents in the area of 20th Street and Texas, Washington, Florida contacted the Washita Valley Community News with concerns that a weak tornado or strong straight winds had done considerable damage in that part of Chickasha.
“No alert was sounded” complained one resident in the area, but huge trees were uprooted and roofs of several homes and out buildings were damaged. Also powerline poles were damaged and lines were down in that part of town.
A cleanup was quick and efficient by city crews and utility companies it appeared in the streets and utility easements. One or more large trees were reportedly blocking streets in the area.
Powerlines were down in the area of Grady Memorial Hospital according to reports.
TV news at the time reported that most of the tornadic activity was north of Chickasha and the airport, however large hail damaged properties, breaking auto windows in the Verden area during the Wednesday evening storm.
Numerous tornado warnings were issued including some in Grady County. According to KOOL1055 News the first was issued at 6:43 p.m. and a second followed about 30 minutes later at 7:15 p.m.
Warnings were issued for the Amber and Blanchard area when storms with baseball-sized hail developed near the Chickasha Airport. The threat included areas of Bridge Creek, Newcastle, and the Norman area. A tornado also caused a lot of damage in the Shawnee area. There were reports that several people were trapped inside their storm shelters.
The death toll from Wednesday night’s tornadoes across Central Oklahoma has climbed to three and many communities continue to dig through the rubble of what was left behind.
Governor Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency for five counties, including McClain and Cleveland counties.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office sent a team to aid McClain County officials in the town of Cole where two people died and numerous homes were destroyed or damaged. A post on the sheriff’s office Facebook page indicated that deputies covered about a 15-square mile area, checking homes and businesses and offering assistance.
Grady County Emergency Management officials encourage residents who had property damage from the storms to reach out. Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said the information is used by state officials to better coordinate response and recovery efforts.