Checotah Hit By Possible Tornado

Authorities believe a possible tornado caused damage in McIntosh County late Tuesday. Emergency Management Director Harry Trottier said they beginning to assess damage.

We don't know the number of buildings damaged or destroyed as yet.

Most of the damage is centered in downtown Checotah where storm debris is just about everywhere. Jefferson Avenue is just one of several streets that are blocked because of downed trees and power lines.

We've learned school was canceled in Checotah because a live power line was down on the school. A transmission tower that feeds the town's water plant was damaged, so that facility is running on a generator, the McIntosh County emergency management director said.

Checotah Mayor Daniel Tarkington says city crews have been going door to door, and so far they haven't found anyone who was hurt in Tuesday's storms.  

He says several buildings had their roofs damaged or blown off.

4/26/2016 Related Story: Checotah Mayor: Downtown Hit By Strong Winds, Possible Tornado

OG&E has crews in Checotah working to restore power. 

News On 6 storm chaser Darren Stephens said, as he went into the town Tuesday night, he saw debris on the side of the roads. He also said there were several downed power lines.

Stephens said a doctor's clinic was hit from the southwest and the roof blew off. Across the street a garage was damaged and blown over.

On the other side of town windows were blown out and the canopy was damaged at the Boom-a-Rang Diner.