McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

September 9, 2010

Storms washes out roads; sirens sounded

By James Beaty Senior Editor

McALESTER — Tornado sirens blared and heavy rains poured down as the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine pushed through the McAlester area overnight and early this morning.

Although no reports have been made of any damage from the cloud rotation spotted in the area, reports were starting to pour in this morning resulting from the flooding and heavy rain that pounded Pittsburg County.

Some of the heaviest damage has occurred on Rock Creek Road north of McAlester.

As the storm pummeled the area, tornado sirens were activated in some parts of the county.

“We sounded the sirens in McAlester, Crowder, Indianola and Quinton,” said McAlester/Pittsburg County Emergency Management Director Trent Myers.

Myers said the first tornado warning for parts of the county had been issued from 12:50 until 1:15 a.m.

“They extended it later,” he said.

Rotation had been spotted between the Southeast Expo Center and the Indian Nation Turnpike west of McAlester. Myers said.

Another tornado warning had been issued for an area extending from Scipio and Crowder east to Blocker and Quinton.

While Myers had no reports of damage from any tornadoes touching down, reports were coming from damage caused by the deluge that pounded the county.

So far, most of the damage reports resulted from roads or bridges being washed out from the downpour that blanketed the McAlester area.

At least two roads were known to be closed early today, although emergency officials said that number could grow as damage reports were assessed.

“We’re got a bridge washed out Rock Creek Road, “ District 3 County Commission Foreman Doug Rose said this morning.

The portion of the road with the damage will be closed until it can be repaired, he said.

Myers also said this morning that two large tinhorns had washed out on Rock Creek Road.

“We’ve got about a 12 to 13-foot deep crater in the road,” Myers said.

Myers said that another big tinhorn washed out of Thomas Road at Sam’s Point, which is basically in the Indianola and Canadian area.

Parts of State Highway 113 had also been closed at one point overnight, but has since reopened, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Indianola Schools Superintendent Mark Baumannn said this morning that some of the water had gotten inside the building where kindergarten class is held, but it had been easily handled.

“We has some water intrusion, but we mopped it up in about 10 minutes,” Baumann said. “I wouldn’t call it a flood.”

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service reported 2.59 inches of rain fell in the McAlester area in a 24-hour period ending around 7 this morning. The amount appeared to be higher in some other parts of the county.

The forecast called for clearing skies later today, with chances of rain back in the forecast Friday night and Saturday.



 

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