Death Toll At 8 In Lone Grove Tornado

At least 8 people are dead and some 30 people are unaccounted for after a tornado touched down in Lone Grove Tuesday night. We're posting the newest information as it comes into the newsroom.

Carter County Emergency Management tells us the area affected is southwest Lone Grove. There are reports of downed power lines. They also say there are power outages in Springer, Wilson, and Lone Grove.

Lone Grove Police Chief Robert Oldham tells KXII-TV several people are injured and some are still trapped in their houses and vehicles. Oldham also says there are gas leaks and that the primary area affected is downtown Lone Grove.

Lone Grove Police are asking people to stay out of Lone Grove.

UPDATE: Chickasaw Telephone Company in Lone Grove has set up a command station for people to bring donations. Their Lone Grove office is located at 2172 North Newport. They have also set up a phone number (580-657-4300) for people to call and check on survivors and are urging people in the tornado path to call and let them know they are ok so they can let family members know they are ok when they call.

UPDATE (10:56 AM): State Senator Johnnie Crutchfield Helping Coordinate Storm Recovery Efforts; Official Death Toll at 8, but 30 Unaccounted For

State Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, said he will do everything he can to coordinate assistance at the state and federal level after a deadly February storm system left more than two dozen injured or dead in his district. As of 10 a.m., the official death toll stood at 8, but Crutchfield said 30 people were unaccounted for. Multiple homes and buildings were destroyed with the community of Lone Grove hardest hit by the deadly storm.

“First of all, our thoughts are prayers go out to those who have lost family members. This is devastating. I’ve been in contact with Governor Henry and the emergency management teams in Carter County,” Crutchfield said. “We’ve got emergency personnel and volunteers from surrounding counties assisting and we’re extremely grateful for their help.”

Crutchfield remains in contact with Ed Reed, the Carter County Emergency Management Director, Billy Christian, the Lone Grove Fire Chief who is also Incident Commander, as well as Carter County Commissioner, Dale Ott.

“We know the death toll will likely climb as emergency personnel continue their work,” Crutchfield said. “I will continue to coordinate and do everything in my power to facilitate state and federal assistance to those impacted by Monday’s storm. Again, I want to thank the many volunteers who are helping, and ask for continued prayers for the victims of this storm.”

original post by KXII-TV for the Texoma area