As gusts up to 75 mph tore off shingles of roofs, scattered panels of stockade fences and downed trees, limbs and power lines, the howling winds ceased on Thursday in central Oklahoma.
There was damage to power lines and poles in Piedmont that was repaired.
Fires that devastated the state stayed out of Canadian and Kingfisher counties over the stretch of high winds and wildfires. A fire in Logan County continued to burn Thursday, March 20.
increased fire danger and endangered travel Friday, March 14 across Oklahoma in a storm that also caused death and destruction nationwide, power poles dangerously teetered in Piedmont.
The power poles could have toppled between Sara Road and Mustang Road on the south side of Edmond Road / NW 178. Downed power lines were blamed for numerous wildfires Friday and Saturday in the high winds, but no fires in the Piedmont vicinity broke out.
Hundreds of homes, outbuildings and other structures were destroyed in wildfires statewide Friday and Saturday.
A wind advisory remained in effect until Wednesday night, March 19.
On Friday, there were 44 counties across the state with active wildfires Friday night, March 14. There was also roof damage and fence damage to homes just from the wind. The wind also overturned vehicles and downed trees.
Major fires were in Mannford, Stillwater, Guthrie, Leedey, Norman, Oklahoma City and Little Axe. A death was attributed to the wildfires in Lincoln County where a father and son fighting the blaze near Chandler were injured. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed four fatalities related to the fires or high winds. Those fatalities were reported in Lincoln, Garfield, Haskell and Pawnee counties. By Monday night, March 17, wildfires in Oklahoma had burned about 300 structures, more than 200 homes, caused four deaths and burned over 179,000 acres, officials reported. And Tuesday, March 18, a wildfire that burned 49 homes continued to burn southeast of Guthrie in Logan County.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 142 injuries related to the wildfires were reported to state hospitals. Seven people suffered burns, 9 people suffered cuts or being pierced and 31 people suffered injuries due to falls.
Piedmont Fire Chief Andy Logan said there were only small fires in Piedmont.
“The city limits of Piedmont were very lucky on Friday. Just a few very small fires. There were several power outages reported due to broken poles and lines down.”
He said there was some shingle damage to roofs of houses and fence damage.
A state of emergency was declared by Gov. Kevin Stitt for Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens counties.
The declaration suspends requirements for size and weight permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies used for emergency relief and power restoration. The declaration will remain in effect for 30 days.
Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton issued the following statement regarding the devastating wildfires affecting communities across Oklahoma.
“The wildfires burning across our state have caused immense destruction, forcing families from their homes and straining our emergency response efforts,” Pro Tem Paxton said. “Governor Stitt’s decisive action on the emergency declaration is a critical step in ensuring our communities receive the necessary resources to combat these fires and begin the recovery process.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the brave first responders, firefighters, law enforcement and emergency personnel who are working tirelessly—often at great personal risk—to protect lives and property. Their dedication and sacrifice in these challenging conditions are truly commendable.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted by these fires, especially those who have suffered losses. We urge all Oklahomans to remain vigilant, follow emergency directives and support those in need during this difficult time. Together, we will recover and rebuild stronger than ever.”
