Tornado Damages Homes in Enid, Oklahoma: ‘You Can’t Replace People,’ Resident Says
A tornado tore through the city of Enid on Thursday as storms ripped across Northern Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported 10 to 15 injuries and no fatalities. The tornado destroyed an estimated 40 to 50 homes, per News9.
Dave Lamerton knew his son’s woodworking shop was in the direct path of the tornado. The shop was in fact destroyed. But by Friday morning, Lamerton was sorting through the wreckage with a different outlook.
“We’re just going through everything this morning kind of finding the sense of humor and being blessed that nobody was hurt,” he told NBC News.
“Luckily, it’s just damage and we can replace that,” he said. “You can’t replace people.”
Lamerton took AP through the rubble of his son’s store.
“The tornado just swung right through here and just hit us directly,” Lamerton said. “We’ve got stuff on the property we can’t even find.”
A woman named Amy Kuntz, who was driving home to Enid, was on the phone with her daughter during the storm.
“She said, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ And then I was like, ‘Get in the bathtub.’ So she got in the bathtub and not even a minute later, she’s like, ‘Mom, the roof’s gone,’” Kuntz told KFOR-TV.
Community members rallied at dawn
Members of the community began showing up early Friday morning to help clear debris left by the storm — people Lamerton had never met.
“We met them today,” Lamerton said. “These guys saw it last night, got up early this morning, came down to help people out. You know, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
He described the experience to The Oklahoman.
“We are blessed that nobody was hurt because it was it was a bad one,” Lamerton said. “We live in Oklahoma, where tornadoes hit all the time. This one just hit perfect. But we’re blessed that nobody was hurt. We can fix the stuff.”
Enid Mayor David Mason said rescues were made for those who were trapped in their homes by debris.
“The support from our community has been remarkable. Local businesses have offered equipment and labor, residents have opened their doors, and supplies have poured in already,” he said. “This is who Enid is in challenging moments — we continue to show up for one another.”
Homes Are Being Searched to Rescue Trapped Residents.
“First responders are continuing secondary searches of locations impacted by the tornado,” the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Approximately 2,600 power outages were reported statewide as of 7 a.m. Friday.
Mason said the city’s immediate goal is making the Gray Ridge area accessible to homeowners.
“We ask all residents to respect perimeter controls and allow first responders to determine when it is safe to allow non-residents into the area,” Mason wrote. “For now, please avoid the immediate vicinity so crews can continue their work efficiently.”
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