Washington County Ranch Damaged By Severe Storm

Craig Day, News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Oklahoma -- Storm victims are cleaning up damage in northeastern Oklahoma.

A tornado touched down near the Washington-Nowata County line on Thursday, April 14, 2011, just east of Bartlesville. Debris is scattered over several miles.

At the Doenges Ranch, friends and family are cleaning up damage a tornado left behind. Friends and family are a blessing at a time like this.

"It's kind of surreal," Patrick Dillon said. "You know you have a chance of it happening, but you never think it's going to be you."

As the twister moved across the ranch, it ripped the roofs off several barns, one had a prized 65 and a half mustang inside; 300 trees are also splintered or uprooted.

Worst of all, the tornado destroyed part of Patrick Dillon's dad's home. The room where his late mother kept all of her cherished possessions, now no longer has a roof.

"My Mom passed away back in July unexpectedly, and the most heavily damaged place is where all of her stuff was at," Dillion said. "So it's just insult to injury. It's been a crappy year."

The family is working to save what they can. Jamie Dillon lives next door and was at home when the tornado hit.

"I was scared, I was really worried, but I felt like God was watching over us," he said.

Debris is scattered over several miles.

Not only is the family amazed at how powerful the storm was, they're amazed at how quickly it hit. First there was the heavy rain, then a hail storm, then the wind picked up. It all happened in a matter of moments.

"It was probably two minutes, that's all. It was probably two minutes," Jamie Dillon said.

Although there is so much damage, and work to do, they're thankful for others, and grateful no one was hurt.

"Clean up and rebuild. Life goes on; you've just got to go with it," Patrick said.

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