Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
January 8, 2008

Wind, hail drive through county

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Wicked weather rolled through Cherokee County Monday night, creating some tense moments for local residents.

Portions of the county were placed under tornado warnings during the storm. Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Gary Dotson sounded warning sirens in Tahlequah after receiving information of a possible tornado, aloft and headed for the city. Authorities in Hulbert also sounded warning sirens when the storm neared their town.

There were no reports of any tornado touchdowns in Cherokee County. But the same storm that produced the tornado warnings here spawned twisters that did drop from the sky in Benton County, Ark.

“We were fortunate nothing made it to the ground here,” Dotson said. “There were some tense moments for all of us at the emergency operations center and the spotters we had in the field.”

Dotson said Monday night the emergency operations center received few reports of structure damage caused by the storm. One report indicated Tahlequah High School Principal Dr. Nick Migliorino’s home, north of Tahlequah, sustained some storm damage. A damage report was also received at Mark Martin’s home.

Spotters and other emergency personnel reported downed power poles and lines in various sections of the county. Early this morning, utility crews were removing trees and other debris from power lines just north of the Log Cabin Store on U.S. Highway 82.

The National Weather Service also placed parts of the county under a flash flood warning due to heavy rainfall in a short period of time. Reports of heavy hail were made during the course of the storm.

The NWS web site showed 1.58 inches of rain fell at the Tahlequah airport between 6:34 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. Monday. Some parts of the county received larger amounts.

Two to 3 feet of water were flowing over a road southwest of Peggs Monday night.

Dotson warned against driving through water standing on roadways. He said it’s easier and safer to take an alternate route to your destination.

Text Only
Local News
  • kp Burger main.tif What’s on the bun?

    Perhaps no other food on the American summer holiday menu epitomizes patriotism more than a good old-fashioned hamburger.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Best gifts can be made from scratch

    When hand-crafting gifts to honor loved ones or friends, a fellowship can be born.

    May 25, 2012

  • Injury crash provokes felony charge

    Prosecutors have charged a Tahlequah man for his alleged role in causing a crash that put another man on life support.
    The charges stem from a May 18 crash at the intersection of the State Highway 51 West bypass and Vinita.

    May 25, 2012

  • Testimony in Butcher trial centers on evidence

    Testimony given throughout the day Thursday in the first-degree murder case against Bronson William Butcher centered mostly on the state’s investigation of the case.

    May 25, 2012

  • Oklahoma City man charged with larceny here

    Prosecutors in Cherokee County have charged an Oklahoma City man with grand larceny, second-degree burglary, and larceny of an automobile.

    May 25, 2012

  • Local men’s shelter at risk of closing

    Tom Lewis walked through the semi-completed expansion at Project O Si Yo Thursday, pointing out what services could be provided to area homeless men, if only the funding were available.

    May 25, 2012

  • jn tps cmty meeting.tif TPS officials eye earlier start times

    A handful of Tahlequah Public Schools parents voiced concern Wednesday evening about a potential change in school start-and-stop times for the upcoming year.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Food for thought

    With representatives from the Oklahoma Farm & Food Alliance, Sustainable Green Country and Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation Division in attendance, the Tahlequah Food Policy Council on Tuesday shared their ideas on establishing sustainable local food sources for retail ventures.

    May 24, 2012

  • Defense attorney: Witness changed his story

    The defense counsel for Bronson Butcher on Wednesday targeted eyewitness accounts of a man who claims he saw the accused shoot an Oktaha man at a Tahlequah home in March 2011.

    May 24, 2012

  • ra CancerCarnival.tif TMS Cancer Carnival raises funds

    The Tahlequah Middle School Student Council held its 6th Annual Student Council Cancer Carnival Wednesday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. 

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo