El Reno Responds To Tornado Aftermath

News9.com

EL RENO, Oklahoma -- The El Reno Fire Department and Police Department, along with first responders from Canadian County and surrounding areas continue assessing damage caused by last night's tornado in El Reno.

First responders are searching a 10-20 square-mile debris path west of El Reno, near the Highway 270 and Interstate 40 intersection.

Last night, first responders responded to a Cimarex oil/gas production rig that was damaged by the large tornado, damage at a Devon Energy gas facility and damage to a local business, Calumet Industries. Firefighters were able to contain a major gas leak at the Devon facility and secured the area by nightfall.

Areas north and east of El Reno received heavy damage and homes were damaged or lost in the Skyline Addition and near Highway 81 and Britton Rd., south of Concho, Ok. Some structural damage was reported at Fort Reno west of El Reno. Additional damage to homes and properties was also reported along the Britton Rd. area, east of El Reno.

Highway 66 between El Reno and Calumet will remain closed as emergency personnel evaluate conditions in the area. I-40 in El Reno is open.

Twenty injuries were reported in the area, but none were from workers at the oil/gas production rig, as previously stated. Status of those injured is not known at this time.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol has confirmed four fatalities in the Highway 270/I-40 intersection area due to yesterday's storms.

El Reno Area Damage

El Reno Fire Department officials and officials from Devon Energy are assessing damage to the Devon facility. El Reno Police Department officials and other Canadian County officials are assessing damage to home and other facilities near the Highway 81 and Britton Rd. area.

Thirty to 45 residents sustained damage or loss to property. Approximately 12 vehicles were damaged or destroyed due to the storm.

Three Emergency Operation Centers are set-up in Canadian County, located in the Piedmont area, Canadian County offices (in El Reno) and near the I-40 and Highway 270 intersection in El Reno. County officials are coordinating efforts with Oklahoma Emergency Management.

Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak