The heart and soul of this community was ripped apart in Saturday night’s tornado, but residents are fighting back with “Sulphur Strong” as their motto.
The EF3+ twister wiped out much of Sulphur’s historic business district, leveled homes in the south and northeast part of town, claimed one life and injured 40 more. As of Wednesday, a total of 110 homes and 61 businesses were either destroyed or damaged, according to Murray County Emergency Management Director Brian McDaniel.
The tornado, part of a large and slow moving storm system that spawned a total of 24 tornadoes last Saturday, moved in from north Texas, damaging areas in Marietta and Ardmore before plowing through the southern parts of Murray County, into Chickasaw National Recreation Area, then right into the heart of Sulphur Historic District, and exiting out in a slight northeast direction.
McDaniel said Wednesday a preliminary damage estimate of $7.7 million has allowed Murray County to meet the threshold of not only public assistance, but individual assistance for residents and business owners.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively working “with boots on the ground to assist those affected by the storm,” McDaniel said, and President Biden signed an emergency declaration Tuesday to put into motion a vast array of federal assistance.
FEMA director Deanne Criswell was in Sulphur Tuesday and spoke to a state and national press in front of the Sulphur City Hall.“It’s inspiring to see how much the community comes out to support each other,” she said.
Criswell said she came to see the damage with her “own two eyes to ensure the community gets the right federal resources, not just during the initial clean up phase but also on the road to rebuilding.”
“We’re working with the governor and his team to make sure the community gets the resources they need,” she said. “The amount of people who are either under insured or not insured contributes into whether or not federal support will be needed. The Salvation Army, the Red Cross and many other nonprofit entities have come out to support and fill in those gaps of unmet needs,” she said.
Oklahoma Senator James Lankford was also part of that contingent of public officials to visit Sulphur on Tuesday, among others.
On Sunday, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Speaker of the House Charles McCall were among a group who toured the tornado-ravaged business district, pledging support for the community. They were joined byAnnie Vest, state director of the Department of Oklahoma Emergency Management and others.
Vest said on a conservative estimate, over 300,00 cubic yards of debris were left in the wake of the tornado.
McDaniel encouraged residents to move debris as much as possible near the road and separate vegetation from construction debris. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and City of Sulphur crews will come through and remove it as soon as possible.
Recovery Sites And Information
In the wake of the disaster, a massive recovery effort has been underway since Sunday, McDaniel said. Thousands of volunteers around the state and nation, along with tons of food, water, and clothing are coming into the Murray County Expo Center, which is serving as the central hub.
“Any Murray County resident is eligible to pick up donated items at the Expo Center,” McDaniel said. Residents are asked to report any property damage to Damage. ok.gov.
Among those assisting in Sulphur include insurance companies, state and federal agencies.
According to McDaniel, insurance company trailers will be staged at the Dolese Plant parking lot on Woodruff Blvd. in Sulphur. The Disaster Recovery Center is being set up at the Workforce Training Center, next to the Expo Center, for a minimum of 60 days for people to talk to FEMA representatives beginning as early as Monday.
He said the Chickasaw Nation has established a mobile urgent care facility on top of their parking garage at the Artesian Hotel in the downtown area with free medical care to anyone, including emotional support. Additionally, donation accounts are being set up at BancFirst and Vision Bank in Sulphur.
Local Officials Hold Briefing
In addition to McDaniel, other local officials, including Sulphur Fire Chief Pete Haines, Murray County EMS Director Brad Lancaster, Sulphur Police Chief Jason Conyer and OHP commander of Troop F, Shelby Humphrey, all played large roles in the performance of their jobs during the tornado response effort Saturday night and continue to do so.
Each spoke on Monday during a press briefing amid the rubble in downtown.
Haines expressed condolences to the victims of the disaster. “On behalf of the unified command, I want to express condolences to our loss of a home town girl,” he said.
Haines said Sulphur Fire and first responders performed a grid search of all areas hit by the tornado Saturday evening and he was “confident everyone was accounted for.”
“Our entire business district is completely destroyed and it is very devastating to our local people,” he said.
Haines said some areas have controlled access as of Monday, but they began to allow residents back in to assess damage during the day.
“We’re strong,” he said. “We will bring this community back and will be stronger than ever. We will be back.”
Lancaster said rescue efforts were very challenging on the night of the tornado due to multiple storms following the twister.
He said his crews treated and managed more than 30 injuries immediately following the storm, and with additional injuries, the count is now up to more than 40 with one fatality reported in a building collapse downtown.
“I’m grateful for all the volunteers here to help, we will need it for a long time,” he concluded.
Police Chief Conyer thanked OHP and Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police for their help.
“I called, they came and have helped me tremendously,” he said.
Conyer advised patience in getting into certain areas. “We’re trying to keep people safe, that’s our priority,” he said.
He said efforts have been put into place to keep looting at a minimum. “If you are not here to help or don’t live in area, please stay out of area,” he advised. “I feel like if we hadn’t gotten the warning out as quick as we did, it would have been worse.”
Humphrey said he has worked this area for 25 years and has full confidence local officials and residents are “on a mission for their community.”
State, Federal Leaders Issue Comments U.S. Rep. Tom Cole and Speaker of the House Charles McCall each issued comments in the wake of the massive devastation in Sulphur.
“My thoughts are with those who have been affected by or have suffered a loss as a result of the terrible tornadoes that swept through Oklahoma last night. I would also like to thank our first responders who have been on the ground responding so nobly. My office and I are monitoring the situation closely and will help to ensure that the necessary assistance is made available,” said Congressman Cole.
“My prayers go out to the citizens of Sulphur, all of Murray County and those across the State of Oklahoma affected by the severe weather this weekend,” said McCall. “As our neighbors survey the damage and begin to rebuild, my office is available to provide individuals and businesses with guidance on how to access necessary resources. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can provide assistance throughout the cleanup and rebuilding process.”
Power Being Restored OG&E officials told KXII that almost everyone who lost electricity in southern Oklahoma following last Saturday’s tornadoes now have power. About 46,000 customers, many in Sulphur, were without power until early in the week.
OG&E Area Supervisor Terry Looney said crews worked day and night to get power back to their customers. He said the damage was immense with 350 poles being toppled.
As of Wednesday, he said, all power was restored to customers who could take the power.
“It’s really humbling when you come over and see something like this and then you get a chance to help them restore power to their homes, help them clean up the rubble,” Looney said. “It touches your heart. It makes you feel proud that you were able to help someone.”
Public Areas Affected By Storm Among the public areas most affected by Saturday’s tornado included the Sulphur Post Office, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and the Sulphur Public Schools.
The Post Office in Sulphur was extensively damaged, requiring officials to relocate to the nearby Davis Post Office to continue delivering the mail locally.
Sulphur residents with a PO Box or missing mailbox can retrieve their mail at the Davis location, however mail to local residents in a livable structure with a mailbox will still receive their mail as usual, officials said.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area sustained a large amount of tree and building damage and is closed until crews can assess the situation, officials said. All areas in the park will be closed until that assessment can be made, according to Public Affairs Officer Megan Wilkins. (See back page for more information detailing the park closure.)
Damage at Sulphur Public Schools occurred primarily at their bus barn. All district buses were rendered unusable after wind and water swept through their location on Wynnewood St., according to Superintendent Matt Holder.
Holder also said there was also some water damage to the wrestling workout area on the high school campus and in other areas.
Warning Time
Not overlooked in Saturday’s disaster in Sulphur was a generous amount of warning time given. It is believed that sirens in Sulphur began sounding at least 30 minutes before the tornado struck, giving residents time to seek shelter.
Editor’snote:TheTimes-Democrat will have continuing coverage of the disaster in the weeks to come.
