KOA campground in Claremore takes direct hit from tornado

KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2

26 May 202403:20

Summary

TLDRA tornado struck the Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore, Oklahoma, during a holiday weekend, causing extensive damage. The campground, popular for its 140 spaces, was filled with campers and RVs that were tossed aside like toys. A couple from Pennsylvania, who were just passing through, narrowly escaped injury after seeking shelter in a nearby tornado shelter owned by the Cherokee Nation, where around 200 people took refuge. The tornado also impacted thoroughbred racing operations, resulting in one horse being euthanized and several others requiring veterinary care. The Cherokee Nation is working with local first responders to assist those affected and restore vital services.

Takeaways

🌪️ A tornado struck the Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore, Oklahoma, causing significant damage.
🏕️ The campground, popular during holiday weekends, had 140 spaces filled at the time of the tornado.
🚐 An Airstream camper was picked up and tossed the length of a football field, fortunately without occupants.
👫 A couple from Pennsylvania, passing through, had their camper severely damaged by the storm.
🛑 The couple rushed to a tornado shelter owned by the Cherokee Nation, where around 200 people sought refuge.
😢 Emotional scenes unfolded as people cried and prayed in the shelter, shocked by the destruction.
📹 A video call revealed the extent of the damage to the couple's camper, which was flipped and beaten up.
🚗 The Connors family had to rent a van to gather their belongings and continue their journey home.
🛠️ Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior assured that their teams were working with first responders to assist those affected.
🐎 One horse was severely injured and had to be euthanized, while others were injured and moved to Fair Meadows.
🏠 Campers at the site, now without water and power, will need to move out until services are restored.

Q & A

What was the impact of the tornado on the Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore?
-The tornado severely impacted the Will Rogers Downs campground, tossing campers and RVs aside like toys. An Airstream camper was picked up and tossed the length of a football field, landing crushed, while other campers were flipped or toppled.
How many spaces were filled at the Will Rogers Downs campground during the tornado?
-At the time of the tornado, 140 out of 790 spaces at the Will Rogers Downs campground were filled.
What did Karen Larson encounter when she met a couple who were just passing through during the storm?
-Karen Larson met a couple from Pennsylvania who were just passing through when the storm hit. Their camper was severely damaged, requiring two heavy-duty wreckers to write off the corners.
Where did the couple from Pennsylvania rush to during the tornado?
-The couple rushed to the tornado shelter at the campground owned by the Cherokee Nation, where around 200 people had crowded in for safety.
What was the emotional state of people inside the tornado shelter according to the report?
-Inside the tornado shelter, some people were crying, some were praying, and others were sitting there looking shocked.
What did the couple from Pennsylvania do after the storm to continue their journey home?
-After the storm, the couple caught an overnight flight to Tulsa and rented a van to help gather their belongings and finish their journey home.
How did the Connors family react to the damage caused to their camper?
-The Connors family expressed that they were fine but shocked by the damage. They mentioned it might be a while before they embark on another cross-country adventure.
What assistance did the Cherokee Nation offer to those affected by the tornado?
-Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior stated that their teams were working with Rogers County first responders, and the Cherokee Nation would be there to help those in need.
What happened to the horses at Will Rogers Downs as a result of the tornado?
-One horse was severely injured and had to be euthanized. About eight other horses were injured and required veterinary care. The remaining horses had to be transported and were moved to Fair Meadows, as the barns at Will Rogers Downs were damaged.
What is the status of the Will Rogers Downs campground in terms of utilities after the tornado?
-The campground is apparently without water and power, and those who were staying there will have to move out until these vital services can be restored.
How did the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma respond to the situation with the horses?
-The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma coordinated the transportation of the horses, moving them to Fair Meadows for the most part, as the barns at Will Rogers Downs were damaged.

Outlines

00:00

🌪️ Tornado Devastation at Will Rogers Downs Campground

The video script describes the aftermath of a tornado that hit the Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore, Oklahoma, during a holiday weekend. The campground, usually bustling with 140 spaces filled, was severely impacted. Campers and RVs were tossed aside, with one Airstream camper being thrown the length of a football field and crushed upon landing. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time. Karen Larson, a 2 News anchor, met a couple from Pennsylvania who were just passing through and were caught in the storm. They rushed to a tornado shelter owned by the Cherokee Nation, where around 200 people had crowded in for safety. The damage was extensive, with RVs flipped and toppled. The couple from Pennsylvania, the Connors, had to rent a van to gather their belongings and continue their journey home after the storm. Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior assures that their teams are working with Rogers County first responders to help those affected. The campground is left without water and power, requiring the occupants to move out until services can be restored.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tornado

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. The term relates to the video's theme as it is the central event causing destruction. In the script, the tornado is described as slamming into campers and RVs, tossing them aside like toys, illustrating the immense power and devastation of the tornado.

💡Campground

A campground is an area where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans. In the context of the video, the campground is the location where the tornado caused significant damage. The script mentions the Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore, highlighting it as a popular place during a holiday weekend with 140 spaces filled at the time of the tornado.

💡Airstream Camper

An Airstream camper is a type of luxury travel trailer known for its distinctive silver, aluminum exterior. The script describes an Airstream camper being picked up and tossed the length of a football field, emphasizing the tornado's force and the resulting damage to property.

💡Tornado Shelter

A tornado shelter is a structure designed to protect people and property from the destructive forces of a tornado. The video's narrative includes a tornado shelter owned by the Cherokee Nation, where approximately 200 people sought refuge during the storm, illustrating the importance of such shelters in tornado-prone areas.

💡Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation refers to the collective tribal entity of the Cherokee people. In the script, the Cherokee Nation is mentioned as the owner of the campground and the tornado shelter, indicating their role in providing safety and support to those affected by the tornado.

💡RV (Recreational Vehicle)

An RV, or recreational vehicle, is a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home. The script describes RVs being flipped and toppled by the tornado, showcasing the vulnerability of such vehicles to extreme weather events.

💡First Responders

First responders are emergency services personnel who are responsible for providing immediate assistance at the scene of an emergency. The script mentions that the Cherokee Nation teams are working with Rogers County first responders, indicating the collaborative efforts to manage the aftermath of the tornado.

💡Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma

The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma is an organization that oversees thoroughbred horse racing in Oklahoma. The script refers to the association's executive director providing information about the impact of the tornado on horses, including one that was severely injured and had to be euthanized.

💡Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the practice of ending a life in a painless way, often used in the context of relieving suffering in terminally ill or severely injured animals. In the script, it is mentioned that one horse was severely injured and had to be euthanized, highlighting the tragic consequences for animals caught in the tornado.

💡Veterinarian

A veterinarian is a professional who practices veterinary medicine and treats animals. The script indicates that about eight horses were injured and had to be in the care of a veterinarian, showing the need for medical attention for animals affected by the tornado.

💡Fair Meadows

Fair Meadows is likely a reference to a location where horses are kept or races are held. The script mentions that the horses had to be transported and most were moved to Fair Meadows due to the damage to their original barns, indicating a place of refuge for the affected horses.

Highlights

Tornado hits Will Rogers Downs campground in Claremore, Oklahoma, causing severe damage.

Campground popular during holiday weekends with 140 spaces filled.

Airstream camper picked up and tossed the length of a football field, crushed upon landing.

Campers from Pennsylvania met during the storm, their vehicle heavily damaged.

200 people sought shelter in a tornado shelter owned by the Cherokee Nation.

Emotional aftermath with people crying and praying in the shelter.

RVs at the campground were flipped, toppled, or severely damaged.

Campers from California report being fine but their camper severely damaged.

Matt Junior caught an overnight flight to Tulsa to help gather belongings.

The Connors family may delay future cross-country adventures due to the incident.

Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior assures support for those affected.

140 campsites were filled at the time of the tornado, many without water or power.

Campers will have to move out until vital services are restored.

One horse severely injured and euthanized, others injured and under veterinary care.

Dozens of horses had to be transported to Fair Meadows due to damaged barns.

Oklahoma racing systems cooperate to move and care for the horses.