Published: June 11, 2009 10:59 am      

Storms pound county

Pontotoc County — A large storm system moved through the area Wednesday leaving a large mess behind.

The storm brought with it high winds, lightning, hail and just over an inch of rain. Emergency officials were out in full force dealing with multiple wrecks, downed trees and power lines, flooding and damaged homes and businesses.

Soon after the storm moved into the county, firefighters, EMS and law enforcement responded to a call of a semi truck which was blown off the Chickasaw Turnpike near Roff.

The semi was loaded with uniforms and was turned sideways when officials arrived. Authorities said the driver was coherent but bleeding from several lacerations.

He was taken to the hospital and treated and released. Ada firefighters and police responded to numerous wrecks including one on N. Country Club where two people were injured.

A car turning left into the Wal-Mart parking lot was clipped head-head on by another vehicle.

Firefighters, police and EMS worked in torrential rain, lightning and gusty, swirling winds to remove the drivers and clear the chaotic scene.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital. No word yet on their conditions. The areas of Roff and Fitzhugh seemed to take the brunt of the storm.

Wind speeds in the Roff, Fitzhugh area were measured at 87 miles-per-hour. Pontotoc County Emergency Management Director Chad Letellier said at least five homes in Roff and three homes in Fitzhugh were damaged by high winds.

It was reported nearly 1,000 homes were without power in Ada and more than 200 in Roff. Letellier said several homes in Union Valley and the Ahloso area were also damaged in the storm.

Firefighters and EMS also responded to an accident near the intersection of County Roads 1570 and 3580 where a tree fell on a moving pickup. A man was injured and taken to the hospital but no information on his identity or the extent of his injuries was available at press time.

Ada Emergency Management Director Gene Linton said wind speeds in Ada were measured at 61 miles-per-hour but damage to homes and businesses were minimal.

He did confirm a report that electricity to Ballard’s Nursing Home was out for some time. A family member of a patient at Ballard’s said the power was out from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The business has a backup generator but it was not working Wednesday. Firefighters were also busy standing by at numerous downed power lines waiting until crews from Oklahoma Gas and Electric could fix them.

Letellier said two businesses also sustained extensive damage in Roff and firefighters from Vanoss and Pickett were called in to assist Roff firefighters clearing roads blocked by fallen trees. Ada received a total of 1.02 inches of rain.