Oklahoma Feels Wrath of Tornadic Activity
10/02/2009

<p>OKLAHOMA CITY (February 10, 2009) - The Salvation Army is responding to a slew of tornadoes that have hit the State of Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Oklahoma City</strong><strong>:&nbsp; </strong>The Oklahoma City Area Command deployed to Northwest Oklahoma City where a tornado hit a heavily populated area of businesses and apartments.&nbsp; The extremely busy highway was shut down for several hours due to heavy damage and debris scattered throughout the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Enid Canteen was also deployed to ensure services were provided to both sides of the closed highway. </li>
<li><strong>Edmond</strong><strong>:&nbsp; </strong>In Edmond, a tornado touched down in two areas; the neighborhood of Oak Tree where six homes were destroyed and north of Edmond where it destroyed several barns and outbuildings.</li>
<li><strong>Lone Grove:</strong>&nbsp; In Lone Grove, immediately west of Ardmore, the entire city apparently sustained heavy damage and assessments are ongoing.&nbsp; Thus far, three fatalities and 25 - 50 injuries are reported.&nbsp; A house-to-house search and rescue operation is currently underway.&nbsp; Captain Ernie Hull, Ardmore Oklahoma Corps Officer, was called by Carter County Emergency Management to respond.&nbsp; The mobile feeding unit (canteen) is providing meals and drinks to responders as well as emotional and spiritual care.&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
<p>The National Weather Service is reporting confirmation of tornado touchdowns in Pawnee, Lone Grove, and Edmond, Oklahoma.&nbsp; Golf ball to baseball hail has been reported from multiple locations.&nbsp;&nbsp; Currently, 29,000 electric customers are reported to be without power.&nbsp; This is in addition to the nearly 2,000 electric customers in Oklahoma and 27,000 electric customers in Arkansas still without power due to the January 26, 2009, ice storm.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Salvation Army is working very closely with local and state Emergency Management to ensure the needs of those impacted are met.&nbsp; Further information will be sent as soon as we have additional information.</p>
<p><em>Financial donations are needed to support relief efforts.&nbsp; The Salvation Army asks those who want to help the individual and families affected by the February 10 tornadoes to visit <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/"><strong>www.salvationarmyusa.org</strong></a> or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate AOK Division February tornadoes.&nbsp; Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by the storm.</em></p>