71 Injured, 1 Killed In This Week's Oklahoma Storms, Authorities Say

Seventy-one people were treated for injuries and one person killed during this week's storms, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. 

A news release states 71 injuries were treated by area hospitals as a result of the storms moving through Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. The fatality took place in Tuesday's tornado at Elk City.

Gene "Bo" Mikles Jr., 53, was in his car in Merritt when it was thrown several hundred feet. He was found lying on the ground.

An American Red Cross Shelter remains open in Muskogee for residents displaced by storms. Ten people spent Friday night at the shelter located at the Muskogee First Baptist Church, 111 South 7th Street.

5/18/2017 Related Story: Strong Winds Knock Over Muskogee Business

The Red Cross also provided a cooling center Friday through Saturday at noon at Stonewall Senior Nutrition Center in Stonewall.

All 77 counties in Oklahoma are under a state of emergency due to severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, tornadoes and snow that began April 29, the release states. 

Local reports of storm damage:

• Pittsburg County Emergency Management: significant flood damage with many county roads that have been washed out or are closed. A train derailed due to a washed-out rail bridge. One home has flood damage. The county is working on emergency repairs to reopen the roads.
• Davis Emergency Management: extensive flooding, including areas where flooding is not common. 
• Johnston County Emergency Management: flood and wind damage from Friday’s storms. Flood waters in some areas, including Pennington Creek, rose higher than in past storms. Multiple water rescues were conducted for residents of homes surrounded by water. Many roads are closed with some roads washed out. Damage assessments will begin today. 
• Pontotoc County Emergency Management: significant flood damage. Numerous roads are washed out and there are reports that some homes have flood damage. Assessments are ongoing. 
• Seminole Emergency Management: extensive road and highway flooding overnight from Friday’s storms.

We have a list of current road closures in this story: Oklahoma Roads Closed By High Water.