No deaths and only one injury are being reported in Pittsburg County after Monday’s severe weather.
Pittsburg County officials said 10 homes were destroyed in Pittsburg, along with the Blanco Fire Department.
Residents in Pittsburg County Rural Water District 11 are being asked to conserve water as the water plant is without electricity. Pittsburg’s water plant was also damaged in the storm. Emergency management officials have set up a water buffalo at Pittsburg School for those in the area who need drinking water.
Deputies from the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Department, firefighters from the local fire departments, and emergency management officials are out in the county assessing damage and looking for residents who may be injured or trapped.
Officials are asking people to avoid the areas damaged by the storm at this time as crews work to clear debris from roadways and power crews work to replace damaged lines and poles.
The Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office states that for those having a hard time getting a hold of someone in the area that welfare checks can be requested by calling 918-423-5858.
Although immediate efforts are being focused on the Pittsburg and Blanco areas, damage was also reported in the Hartshorne and Wilburton areas.
The National Weather Service is conducting damage surveys this morning.
Area residents who sustained damage from the storm are asked to report damage by contacting the Pittsburg County/McAlester Emergency Management Office at 918-423-5655. Choctaw Nation tribal members can also report damage to the Choctaw Nation’s Emergency Management Office at 1-844-709-6301 or by email at OEM@choctawnation.com.
POWER OUTAGES:
Kiamichi Electric Coop:
Atoka County: 306 customers
Latimer County: 2,955 customers
Pittsburg County: 2,022 customers
PSO: 25 customers out in all of Pittsburg and Latimer Counties
WHERE TO DONATE:
Donations can be dropped off at Pittsburg Public Schools: 200 W. Grand Ave. in Pittsburg.
Several businesses in McAlester and the surrounding area are acting as drop-off points as well including Kiowa City Hall and Southeastern Oklahoma Social Services located at 512 E. Chickasaw Ave in McAlester.