Senator Coleman comments on tornado damage in Barnsdall, Osage County

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, commented after a tornado hit the town of Barnsdall on Monday evening and severe weather caused damage in other parts of Osage County. One person died because of the destructive storms, others were injured, and Barnsdall and other communities are still reeling from the extreme damage left in the wake of the tornado.

Law enforcement officers and first responders from multiple jurisdictions are in Osage County to take the lead on search and rescue efforts and help Oklahomans suffering from medical injuries.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Barnsdall and Osage County as they mourn the loss of one of their neighbors,” Coleman said. “I’m immensely grateful for all the first responders who rushed to the scene as quickly as possible to sift through the damage and help care for the injured. This was one of the worst tornadoes I’ve ever seen, and my heart goes out to the Oklahomans waking up this morning to assess the damage and destruction to their homes and businesses. I know my constituents in Senate District 10 are resilient, and we will recover and rebuild better than before. To all those affected by the storms, I’m here to help in any way that I can.”

Coleman urged his constituents seeking assistance after the storms to contact his office at (405) 521-5581 or Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Osage County Fairgrounds, located at 320 Skyline Drive in Pawhuska. To contact the American Red Cross for assistance, call 1-800-733-2767.

Residents are asked to report home, business and farm damage to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management so local and state authorities can get a full picture of the destruction and connect Oklahomans to aid. Visit damage.ok.gov to file a report.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Bill Coleman at (405) 521-5581 or email Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov