Oklahoma Governor Tours Damage Where Tornado Killed 3 Near Texas State Line
DURANT, Okla. (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Gov. Kevin Stitt has visited an area of southern Oklahoma struck by a tornado last week, when storms killed three people.
State Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain says Stitt spent about two hours Monday near Bokchito, about 160 miles southeast of Oklahoma City near the Texas state line.
A tornado was recorded there April 30.
Cain said Stitt surveyed the area by helicopter, by vehicle and on foot. The governor also visited a survivor center at Rock Creek Elementary School in nearby Durant.
From there the Governor tweeted, "Visiting Blue and Rock Creek where a F-3 devastated homes and took the lives of two Oklahomans. Thank you to all the first responders who have stepped in to help save lives and begin the recovery. Oklahoma stands with these communities as they begin to rebuild."
Visiting Blue and Rock Creek where a F-3 devastated homes and took the lives of two Oklahomans. Thank you to all the first responders who have stepped in to help save lives and begin the recovery. Oklahoma stands with these communities as they begin to rebuild. pic.twitter.com/fSJTu8daOM
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) May 6, 2019
Stitt declared a state of emergency last week for 52 Oklahoma counties because of the storms. That allows state agencies to spend money to help local governments.
The National Weather Service says at least 16 tornadoes were reported April 30 in Oklahoma.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)