Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

February 12, 2009

County gets rain, escapes twisters

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Tahlequah received much-needed rains Monday and Tuesday, and while residents in some parts of the state were scurrying for cover Tuesday, no warnings were required here.

Tahlequah-Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Gary Dotson said Wednesday he has not received any damage reports from the storms that rolled through the area. A Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw team here to clear debris created by the January ice storm left town Wednesday.

The National Weather Service Web site indicates 2-1/2 inches of rain fell Monday and Tuesday at the Tahlequah airport. Partly sunny to sunny conditions are expected in the area for the rest of the week and weekend.

For a brief period, the area was under a thunderstorm and a tornado watch.

Tornadoes ripped across parts of the state Tuesday, prompting Gov. Brad Henry to declare a state of emergency in 17 counties. Cherokee County is not on the list.

The declaration is the first step toward seeking federal assistance.

The state’s Emergency Operations Plan has been activated to ensure that all state resources are available to assist in the recovery effort.

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The use of cell phones while driving is increasingly becoming an issue. What do you think about cell phone use by emergency personnel, like law enforcement officers, EMTs, firemen, etc.?

• If the law allows the common citizen to use cell phones while driving, emergency personnel should be able to also.
• Emergency personnel should be held to a higher standard. Since they are often driving faster than normal, they should not be allowed to use cell phones while driving, even if other citizens can.
• They should be allowed to use them like anyone else, but their host entities (hospitals, fire departments, cities, etc.) should carry extra insurance for this reason.
• Don't know.
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