Governor tours Delaware County tornado damaged area

Dozens of families devastated by the recent tornado in Delaware County are still picking up the pieces. <br/><br/>Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry toured the destruction Friday and met with those hardest

Friday, March 17th 2006, 10:26 am

By: News On 6

Dozens of families devastated by the recent tornado in Delaware County are still picking up the pieces.

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry toured the destruction Friday and met with those hardest hit. Henry said he and other leaders were there to deliver a message that help is on the way.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin has more on what's being done for those in need.

The governor flew the entire path, 20 miles long, and in some spots a mile wide. 95-homes were hit by Sunday's tornado, about half were destroyed. On the ground, Henry met with local leaders, and then saw firsthand how families are coping. Tornado victim Annie Husong: "I would guess 5 minutes, my house was gone." When the Husongâ€™s fled their house that night, it was almost too late. "It was about three trees down from my house. We ran as hard as we could run. I had the grandbaby in my hands and it was behind us. Coming right at us. I never turned around, but I could hear it, just coming' and coming'."

They made it to the cellar, where all 7 family members safely rode out the storm. Coming out and looking now at everything they've lost, the Husong's are grateful for what they still have each other. They're also amazed by the generosity of their fellow Oklahomans. "We're gonna move heaven and earth to get you the help you need."

Husong never dreamed she'd be shaking hands with the Governor of Oklahoma in what's left of her front yard. "It was something that you see on television." She also never thought she'd lose everything in a matter of moments. "There's just no words. I'll work for awhile and I'll cry for awhile."

For her family and others, the governor offered words of comfort. "But we Oklahomans can bounce back from those kinds of adversities, we do it all the time. We're just very thankful that nobody was killed."

The state of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation are helping affected families. Governor Henry is also asking for a federal disaster declaration. He and 2nd District Congressman Dan Boren are also working to bring in some FEMA trailers to give homeless families a place to stay.