Volunteers Work To Provide Support After Tornado Hits Oklahoma Baptist University

The City of Shawnee and the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University took a direct hit from a tornado Wednesday night.

The storms damaged lots of buildings including some dorms and the historic Raley chapel where some students had to ride out the storm and take shelter in the basement. OBU Officials say that despite the damage, no injuries have been reported. The University President said that students displaced by the storms are being moved to a safe place while the rebuilding process begins.

Volunteers with Oklahoma Baptist Relief are already working to help address the damage and provide support. OBR State Director Jason Yarbrough said they are working to serve OBU as well as other hard-hit areas in the state.

“Our Oklahoma Baptist DR-trained volunteers will be part of a coordinated response to this tornado devastation in Shawnee and other areas,” Yarbrough said. “We are heartbroken for our OBU family—and for our friends and neighbors who were affected across Oklahoma—we will be working to provide all the help and hope people need.”

Oklahomans needing to request assistance from the disaster relief teams can do so at www.okdisasterhelp.org/request-assistance.