The National Weather Service in Tulsa said a separate tornado formed from the rotation that caused the Blanco tornado and was on the ground for 12 miles, beginning near Hartshorne and lasting through Latimer County.
According to NWS Tulsa, the Blanco tornado handed off to a new tornado approximately three miles southwest of Hartshorne.
The tornado then traveled northeast, crossed Highway 1, passed southeast of Gowen, and dissipated approximately 5 miles southwest of Wilburton.
“Damage to trees and houses was consistent with EF-1 winds, but a final rating is pending additional assessment,” NWS Tulsa said in a public information statement. “The tornado traveled approximately 12 miles, and the width will likely be near one mile. Finalized information is expected in the next few days.”
UPDATED DAMAGE NUMBERS:
Damage totals from storms that occurred on May 19 have been updated based on reports provided by city and county emergency managers. In total, at least 112 homes sustained some level of damage across the state.
A breakdown by area counties is included below.
Latimer County – 2 destroyed (in weather-related fires), 10-12 minor
Le Flore County – 2 destroyed, 20 affected
Muskogee County – 2 destroyed, 3 major, 7 minor, 4 affected
Okmulgee County – 1 destroyed
Pittsburg County – 17 destroyed, 9 major, 17 minor, 5 affected
Pontotoc County – 2 affected
RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGES
To help identify all areas of damage across the state, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management continues to ask residents impacted by severe storms or flooding to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts and can help connect residents to resources. Residents can report damage to homes or businesses through the online survey.
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.
DIAL 211
For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.