On a fateful evening, the small town of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, faced the wrath of a catastrophic tornado that left a trail of destruction in its wake. The tornado, classified as at least an EF3, tore through the heart of this close-knit community, leaving homes shattered, power lines down, and lives forever changed. Here’s what we know about this tragic event:
The Impact
- Barnsdall: A town of approximately 1,400 residents, Barnsdall bore the brunt of the tornado. At least one person lost their life, and another remained missing as of Tuesday afternoon. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office issued a plea for help in locating Wayne Hogue, who disappeared after the tornado struck.
- Bartlesville: The tornado continued its destructive path, affecting the neighboring city of Bartlesville. Fortunately, by the time it reached Bartlesville, the tornado had weakened after merging with another storm system. Still, the damage was significant, and local emergency management had prepared for the possibility of an EF4 tornado hitting the city.
Community Resilience
- Mayor’s Perspective: Mayor Johnny Kelley expressed the emotional toll on the tight-knit community. “I know 75 to 80% of the people in this town,” he said. “The individual that we lost, I knew them very well”. The loss hit close to home for everyone.
- Repeat Tragedy: Remarkably, this wasn’t the first time Barnsdall faced a tornado this year. Just a month earlier, on April 1, another tornado damaged homes in the same area. The resilience of the community was tested once again.
Scenes of Destruction
- Tim and Joy King’s Home: The tornado violently uprooted the Kings’ house, flinging it about 20 yards from its foundation. Joy King, who sought refuge in the cellar, described the harrowing experience as insulation blew around her. “I thought, ‘Lord, that’s my house,’” she recalled.
- Natasha Coday’s Account: Natasha Coday, the King’s daughter, witnessed the tornado from Bartlesville. She marveled at how the tornado lifted their house and moved it to a different location. “God really, really took care of them last night,” she said.
Emergency Response
- Damage Assessment: Meteorologist Joe Sellers, working with the National Weather Service’s Tulsa office, emphasized that assessing the damage in Osage County would “take a while” due to the widespread destruction.
- Multiple Tornadoes: In addition to Barnsdall, at least five tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma from the storms that night. These included tornadoes near the towns of Helena, Okeene, Bison, and Covington.
Conclusion
Barnsdall’s resilience shines through even in the face of tragedy. As the community rallies together to rebuild, they honor the memory of the person lost and hold hope for the safe return of Wayne Hogue. The tornado may have leveled homes, but it couldn’t break the spirit of this resilient town. 🌪️🌟
