CNO lends a helping hand after EF4 tornado hits Reservation land

The National Weather Service (NWS) has officially determined that the tornado that hit Idabel on Nov. 4 was an EF4.

Preliminary damage reports indicated the deadly storms that moved through parts of Northeast Texas produced an EF4 tornado with 170 mph winds in Red River County, Texas, before crossing into McCurtain County, where it ultimately hit the town of Idabel.

After Idabel, the storm moved east toward Eagletown, Oklahoma, on the East side of Broken Bow on U.S. Highway 70. The path of this tornado continued on the ground for 58 miles. More than 130 homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged. Electrical power was still out for many residents in the area as late as Nov. 9.

According to officials, there was significant damage to Kiamichi Medical Clinic, Idabel Trinity Baptist Church and Catfish King Restaurant east of Idabel.

A damage survey team from the NWS in Tulsa confirmed an EF-2 tornado also touched down in northwestern McCurtain County near Pickens, with winds of up to 125 mph.

McCurtain county wasn’t the only area to receive damage on Nov. 4. Storms caused damage in Byan, Pushmataha, LeFlore and Choctaw Counties.

Chief Batton spent time on Nov. 5 assessing the damage and visiting with those affected by the storm’s destruction.

On November 5, Chief Batton also declared a State of Emergency for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma reservation, including but not limited to structures and roads entitled to aid, relief and assistance. The Executive Order took effect immediately and Choctaw Emergency Management teams immediately deployed to assess all storm damage and help where they were needed.

When disaster strikes, the Choctaw Nation steps into action to help not only tribal members but the communities affected as well.

One of the most immediate services offered by the Choctaw Nation is Emergency Management.

Choctaw Nation’s Office of Emergency Management is often among the first on the scene of natural disasters within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. They even help in situations across the country, like hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

The key directives for Emergency Management are recovery, planning and hazard mitigation.

In a previous interview, Jeff Hansen, Director of the Choctaw Nation Office of Emergency Management, said that recovery is what the department provides after disasters.

According to Hansen, around 30 tribal officers went to Idabel to assist with search and rescue efforts.

During events like the Nov. 4 tornado, Emergency Management coordinates with other response teams, helping with communication, which helps keep everyone up-to-date on the conditions at the scene of the disaster.

The team also delivers water and supplies, all while guiding individuals through the FEMA process following the disaster.

Tribal members affected by the storms are encouraged to call the toll-free Choctaw Nation Disaster Hotline, 1-844-709-6301. When they call, they are instructed to leave their name, number and a description of their damage. An Emergency Services staff member will then contact the tribal member to assist them to the best of their ability.

After a natural disaster, debris can be a hazard for those helping with recovery and those who are trying to sort through their belongings. This makes diseases like tetanus a major health concern.

On Nov. 6, Choctaw Community Health Nursing were set up outside the Idabel Choctaw Community Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to administer tetanus shots to anyone who needed them.

Volunteers from various departments at Choctaw Nation prepared meals and provided other services.

“I am so proud to be a part of a community filled with such caring people who come together during tough times to help their neighbors,” said Chief Batton.

For more information on the services provided by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, visit choctawnation.com/services.