Hammon Residents Begin Surveying Damage After Tornado

By Gary England , NEWS 9 Director of Meteorology

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Severe weather threatened western and northwestern Oklahoma as a storm made its way across the state Monday causing damage in Roger Mills County.

Hammon Tornado

A tornado touched down about 9 miles north of Elk City. NEWS 9's storm trackers followed the system as it moved through western Oklahoma.

The EF-2 tornado kicked up debris and caused downed power lines. The tornado touched down around 5:17 p.m. and was on the ground for over 20 minutes, hitting Hammon, a small town of about 500 people, around 5:53 p.m. Tornado sirens went off in Hammon at 5:46 p.m.

The southeast corner of Hammon suffered the most damage according to Roger Mills County Undersheriff Darren Atha. There were no reports of injuries or deaths from the storm.

One couple sought shelter with only a few seconds to spare.

"They couldn't see the funnel. They just seen the debris on the ground, tin or something was flying around. And uh, when they seen it coming across the pasture coming at them, they decide they better go," said Joe Miller, whose parent's home was destroyed by Monday's EF-2 tornado.

Cathy Baker, whose horse barn was destroyed, said she was fortunate to not be home at the time of the storm.

"It would have been terrifying. The 2x4s went through my house. You know, now when they say get in a low area, inside room, that's a good point. I understand that now. If I'd been in bed, it went straight into my bed," Baker said.

NEWS 9 storm tracker Val Castor reported torn roofs, a pick-up truck laying in a ditch and debris across Hwy 34 in Hammon. There have been reports of damages to residences and businesses in the area.

State Highway 34 is shut down between state Highway 33 and County road EW 96. Utility crews are working on restoring power and gas in the area. Crews hope to have everything up and running by Tuesday night.

Two homes were damaged and four other homes were destroyed along with the county barn. The county barn stored some vehicles and equipment owned by Roger Mills County. Commissioners put the loss at more than $1 million.

Hammon and Elk City are about 110 miles west of Oklahoma City.

A second tornado reportedly touched down northeast of Hammon.

John Pike, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Norman office, said an average of four tornadoes are reported in March in Oklahoma, but Monday's tornado was larger than what is typically seen this time of year.

"We are starting to get near spring, and get a clashing of the air masses along with more moisture from the south, that's what is really the fuel for the storms," Pike said.

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