Wind Damages Barnacle Bill's Marina And Boats On Lake Tenkiller

Craig Day, News On 6

PARK HILL, Oklahoma -- People in several parts of Oklahoma have big cleanup jobs ahead after several days of severe weather.

Strong winds caused mayhem at a marina on Tenkiller Lake. 

Tenkiller Lake is a beautiful, peaceful place, but when strong storms hit, it was anything but peaceful.

Gusts ripped apart one of the docks at the Barnacle Bill's Marina which housed 10 boats. Four of the boats sustained major damage. 

"I still don't know where that roof is," said Clayton Farmer, co-owner of Barnacle Bill's.

The roof is ripped off; docks are damaged; four boats are battered: the marina is a mess. 

"We normally do most of the work ourselves, but that's beyond our capabilities," Farmer said. "We're going to have to get outside help for that."

While repairs and recovery are underway, boat owners like Jack and Gail Carlow are trying to find another slip for their boat.

It took several hours to get their boat out from under the debris. Thankfully it has only minor damage.

"I've got some scratches and some gouges, but all in all, it sure could have been a lot worse. I feel fortunate it's still afloat," said boat owner Jack Carlow.

The damage is just the latest problem in a summer of setbacks. First flooding, then debris in the lake prompted the Corps to close several parks, giving the false impression to some that the entire lake was closed.

The intense heat also kept some visitors away and now the wind damage.

"You couldn't have a worse year than what we've had. Between the weather, the water, the heat and now this," said Clayton Farmer of Barnacle Bill's Marina.

Despite the season of setbacks, Barnacle Bill's remains open, and they're hopeful the upcoming Labor Day weekend can salvage at least some of their season. 

"You don't have a choice; you just fix it and go on," Farmer said.

The owners say it will take several months to clean up all of the debris and make repairs to the marina.

There were no reports of any injuries.