NWS Confirms At Least EF-3 Damage With Tornado Near Katie

The National Weather Service in Norman confirmed at least Ef-3 damage with the tornado that touched down near the Katie community in Garvin County.

Officials told News 9 that seven homes were destroyed and four were severely damaged as severe storms rolled through Garvin County, Oklahoma, on Monday. 

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Monday, the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Katie Community in southern Garvin County to monitor a tornadic storm moving east.  Elmore City police officers and firefighters first reported funnels near their town, which quickly led to reports of a large tornado on the ground traveling east along East County Road 1680.  Reports of homes being destroyed were soon received.

5/10/2016 Related Story: Two Killed, Structures Leveled In Tornado Outbreak Across Oklahoma

First responders arriving in the area began search and rescue efforts.  An approximate area of six square miles was restricted to local traffic only.  The area affected was Meridian Road to North County Road 3250, north and south of East County Road 1680.

The path of the tornado began in the Katie Community and went east following a 3-mile path before lifting as it crossed I-35 just south of Wynnewood.  The path of the large tornado seemed to follow along East County Road 1680 which is a rural area consisting of homes and farming operations where most of the damage occurred in Garvin County.  

Officials said the storm continued into adjacent Murray County where more damage was later reported and handled by Murray County authorities.

Preliminary assessments are seven homes destroyed, four homes severely damaged and numerous outbuildings and farming and ranching structures damaged or destroyed.  According to Garvin County Sheriff Larry Rhodes, a more in depth examination of the damage will take place on Tuesday by Emergency Management personnel.   

One death is confirmed as a result of a large tornado near East County Road 1680 just east of I-35.  Garvin County Sheriff’s office and the State Medical Examiner investigated the death of 76-year-old Chester Barnes who lived in the area.

Overnight, sheriff’s deputies remained in the area.  The Sheriff's office said additional deputies will be placed in the area of East County Road 1680 throughout the day on Tuesday.