STILWELL, Okla — An EF-1 caused damage to the city of Stilwell in northeast Oklahoma Wednesday, April 13, morning, the National Weather Service of Tulsa reports.
“It was crazy out of nowhere,” said Tristan Taylor.
America’s Car-Mart sales associate Tristan Taylor says they were standing outside when the sky got really dark.
“The sirens started going off and we were looking around to see if we could see anything and all of the sudden, we see stuff flying in the air. Our sign and letters started falling off, then the sign started coming down, so we said okay it’s time to get back inside,” he said.
America’s Car-Mart’s sign is still leaning but luckily none of the cars on the lot or the building had any damage. Down the road Garden, Walk Apartments have lots of trees that were ripped apart and some missing shingles from roofs of a few buildings.
According to Stilwell Mayor Jean Wright, city crews started checking on residents to see if anyone was hurt as soon as the storm struck. Wright says no injuries have been reported.
“I think we were very blessed that no houses were destroyed and no businesses were destroyed,” said Mayor Jean Wright.
Stilwell Mayor Jean Wright says several headstones at the Stilwell Cemetery were knocked down and a lot of trees also. She says the storm came up this morning quickly with little warning.
“We did lose a few rooftops but nothing what I would consider extreme and again I’m just real proud of all our emergency personnel coming together and working as a team,” she said.
The Mayor says as soon as it was safe first responders were checking on residents and the road department started chopping up trees to make sure all streets were clear. No injuries have been reported.
The National Weather Service will survey the area to gather more information about the tornado's impact in the northwest part of Stillwell.
Damages include a semi-flipped over, a tree damaging a box truck, downed power lines, damaged roofs, and a sewer plant that had its roof blown off.
Wright says if anyone needs emergency assistance, they should call 911 because the Stilwell Police Department's phone lines are down. The storm has also impacted the internet connection in the city.
No shelter for residents has been set up just yet due to property damage does not call for it, according to Mayor Wright.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Possible tornado damage in Stilwell, Oklahoma
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