Downed Power Pole Leaves Checotah Area In The Dark

The electricity will be off a while longer in Checotah, where a big power pole was blown over Thursday night.

Along Highway 69, just south of town, was the hardest hit area. The downed power pole has left a chunk of town without power.

Electrical lines hung down to the ground just off the busy highway, and because the base of the pole is completely split, it'll take longer to repair.

OG+E estimates it could be Sunday before residents affected could get power back.

Not far from there, a 200-barrel fiberglass water tank sits on the side of the road.

Business owner Tex Stewart said he knew from watching the news that his business was right in the line of fire.

Thursday night, one of his water tanks completely detached from the ground and went flying toward the highway, stopping almost 200 yards away.

"We've had 70, 80 mile an hour winds out here on numerous occasions over the last seven years, and we've never had any issue with them,” Stewart said.

Stewart said it'll take about $7,500 to replace the water tank, he's said he’s happy it wasn't worse.