TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The ice may have slowly melted away in most areas, but the Oklahoma Red Cross continues expansive efforts to feed folks in Cherokee, Adair and Delaware counties still feeling the brunt of the storm.
Friday, three additional emergency-response vehicles and volunteer drivers arrived in the area from Oklahoma City and Enid to provide meals, resulting in a total of six large trucks making the deliveries.
“The boundaries [were] the Arkansas border on the east, State Highway 10 in Cherokee County on the west, Siloam Springs in the north and Cookson to the south,” said area Director Hope Margarit.
“We focused on towns on the main roads.”
Those communities included, among others, Westville, Stilwell, Eldon, Proctor, Christie, Welling, Park Hill, Cookson, Scraper and West Siloam.
Margarit said the additional volunteers and trucks has made rural meal assistant smoother and faster.
“The feeding is covering about 90 percent of Adair County and 50 percent of Cherokee County, along with West Siloam Springs, which is in Delaware County,” Margarit said.
“On Saturday, disaster assessment teams [began] looking at homes that were damaged.”
Meal count totals Friday showed 2,000 prepared lunches and dinners had been provided.
Also on Friday, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief kitchen moved to a Baptist church camp in Cookson.
Officials say those areas were hit hardest by the ice storm that knocked out power for thousands and toppled trees on cars, houses and roads, making travel difficult if not impossible in some areas.
Locally, shelters were open to assist the ice-storm victims at Cookson, Stilwell, Westville and Tahlequah. Margarit expects the Red Cross to be assisting with meals for at least several more days, but much of that depends on when electricity is restored to those who remain without.
On Saturday, disaster assessment teams began evaluating damage to homes.
You can help
The Oklahoma Red Cross is in need of financial donations to help sheltering and feeding operations. To help, visit www. oklahomaredcross.org. As of Saturday morning, officials expected Red Cross relief expenses to hit at least $250,000.
Local News
Feeding efforts expanded over weekend
Having no electricity often means no source of food, so the Oklahoma Red Cross and others have jumped in to feed locals.
- Local News
-
-
From the heart
As children, people often learn about making valentines in school. All you needed to impress that special girl or boy was some glue, scissors, paper doilies and red construction paper.
-
More new businesses open doors
The Tahlequah area market continues to grow, with several new businesses recently opening doors to customers.
-
Three held in Stilwell murder
Three Stilwell men were being held in the Adair County Jail Wednesday on an accusation of first-degree murder.
-
Man charged in drive-by shooting
Authorities on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for a Hulbert man accused of committing a drive-by shooting at a school board member’s home.
-
Report filed in officer-involved shooting case
The District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday received an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation report into a Feb. 2 officer-involved shooting.
-
Buy local, buy fresh
The Oklahoma Food Cooperative took roots earlier this century and is growing stronger, expanding its reach across the state.
-
Car tags: Cherokee vs. Oklahoma
Since 2002, the Cherokee Nation has offered vehicle tags to its citizens at a reduced rate from what the state of Oklahoma charges, enabling thousands of tribal members to save money.
-
Former CN employees file suit
Four former Cherokee Nation employees recently filed a civil suit in the tribe’s district court, alleging their constitutional rights were violated when their employment was terminated.
-
Mock intrusion unites schools, responders
Though school administrators always hope for the best, emergency response agencies are recommending they be prepared for the worst.
-
Emergency workers prepare, just in case
Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management officials act as the eyes and ears for community members when tornados threaten, but there’s much more to their areas of expertise.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
