Idabel Homeowners Begin Storm Recovery Efforts After Tornado

People living in southeast Oklahoma are starting the big task of cleaning up after a powerful tornado swept through parts of McCurtain County Friday night. Officials say a person was killed and several homes and businesses were damaged.

Crews spent much of Saturday working to restore power back to the area, including at Bypass Church of Christ, where the American Red Cross has set up a shelter for those forced out of their homes. Meanwhile, residents are taking chainsaws to trees that were toppled over because of the strong winds.

Related Story: At Least 1 Dead In McCurtain County Following Tornado

Idabel Police say more than 60 homes were destroyed and another 110 were damaged in the tornado. Lee Mayes told News On 6 he’s lived in the County Club Estates neighborhood for more than 20 years before it was destroyed.

“The west side of our house is just torn off,” said Mayes. “You can just look right through the living room out to the outside.”

County leaders say a church, a school and several other businesses were also damaged.

Hilton Mendoza is the manager of a tire shop that had just closed about an hour before the storms came through. The building is unrecognizable after the tornado.

‘I didn’t picture this,” said Mendoza. “Devastating.”

Leaders are encouraging anyone with storm damage to make a report.