Tornado destroys Sulphur's historic downtown
SULPHUR, Okla. (KFOR) – The City of Sulphur said at least 75 homes and countless businesses were damaged during Saturday night’s tornado. On Monday, agencies from across the state said they were focusing on limiting access to the hardest hit areas which mostly focus on historic downtown Sulphur.
Utility companies rolled in Monday morning to string powerlines, while volunteers and companies were removing piles of debris.
Pete Haynes, Unified Command Center commander, said downtown businesses were unsafe.
“We anticipate some more structural collapses there,” said Haynes.
Oklahoma’s Lt. Governor tweeted Monday that “downtown Sulphur is on the national register of historic places,” which would mean federal funding could help with the rebuilding process.
The City of Sulphur confirmed more than 30 people were hurt by the tornado and taken to nearby hospitals to be treated.
“That number still growing because we’re still seeing injuries that are related to this event, still on-going,” said Brad Lancaster, Murray County EMS.
One woman died from her injuries at a business in downtown.
“We lost a hometown girl on Saturday night, and that's devastating to the community,” said Haynes.
The woman has yet to be identified.
A few blocks from the business district, houses were torn apart. Volunteers could be seen hauling debris to the streets. Larry and Jo Palmer’s home of 44 years took a direct hit.
“My youngest daughter called and told us to leave right now,” said Larry Palmer, who said he planned to stay at his house with two dogs.
He said he left to seek shelter 15 minutes before the tornado ripped the walls away from his home.
“It’s just hard to fathom, to figure out everything. It’s terrible,” said Larry. “I hope no one else has to go through this.”
His granddaughter’s dog, Jack, was missing when the family returned the next day to see the damage. Payton McClure said she made a post about her dog, a desperate plea for help. She said family finally discovered Jack under a pile of rubble yards away.
“As soon as he saw me, he started wagging his tail and we got him and he’s fine,” said McClure.