By John Dobberstein, Editor
It was a night to forget in Owasso and Claremore as a strong, long-lived supercell produced a tornado that left a path of destruction in both of cities and across northeastern Oklahoma.
“Reports of tornado damage have been confirmed across the county, with multiple areas experiencing downed power lines, trees, and damaged homes,” said Rogers County Emergency Management in a Facebook post.
Several law enforcement agencies and first responders in Claremore were conducting search-and-rescue efforts after the storm passed, with similar work happening east in communities just east of there.
Widespread damage to buildings and downed trees and power lines were reported, including damage to a casino and a church. A KOA campground near Claremore was struck by the storm, blowing over or tossing around numerous campers and trapping some occupants, reported photojournalist Bryan Emfinger.
“Claremore is shut down, avoid the area,” the Claremore Police Department said on its Facebook page, as officers were dealing with numerous gawkers driving into town to view the damage.
Similar damage was also reported in Owasso as the tornado rolled through the middle of the city, taking down numerous trees and power lines. Farther east, downtown Salina also took a direct hit from a tornado that damaged buildings.
The same storm crossed into northwest Arkansas around 1 a.m., threatening a more-populated areas.