EDMOND —
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office investigators are seeking information from the public regarding the reported arson in Luther that sparked wildfires on Friday, an agency spokesman said.
An eyewitness called dispatchers about 4 p.m. Friday and said that a white male driving a 2008 black Ford F-150 was tossing out a newspaper that had been set on fire, sheriff’s office spokesman Mark Myers said. More than 2,000 acres were burned and dozens of homes were destroyed, causing millions of dollars in damage, Myers said.
Myers said the OCSO has created several tip lines where the public can report information. Ways to do so are via e-mail at ocsocrimetips@oksheriff.org, by phone 259-6276 or by text at 259-6276.
Myers said all information received will be kept confidential. Deputies continue to search for the arson suspect, and are depending on the public for information, he said.
Kayla Costner, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Central and Western Oklahoma Region, said since the disaster response began the Red Cross has recorded more than 230 overnight stays in shelters and served more than 1,900 meals and provided more than 11,500 snacks in this disaster response. Nearly 150 Red Cross volunteers have deployed to provide relief to families across the state who have been affected by the fires, Costner said.
Additionally, three multi-agency resource centers, where people can connect with organizations prepared to lend assistance, are open in Glencoe, Noble and Luther:
• Luther High School Auditorium, 178th and Luther Rd., will be open Wednesday through Friday. Times have not yet been determined.
• United Methodist Church, 113 S. Perry in Glencoe, until 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
• 12 Corners Baptist Church, 15601 E. Etowah Rd. in Noble, until 8 p.m. Tuesday; times have not yet been determined for Wednesday through Friday.
Those wishing to help victims of the wildfires and other disasters can make a financial donation to the Red Cross online at www.redcross.org, by mail: American Red Cross-Central & Western Oklahoma, Dept. #96–0397, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 or by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Charges will appear on your cell phone bill. Regular fees may apply.
The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate Oklahoma wildfires. Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by disaster. Donations can also be mailed to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157.
Other assisting organizations include the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities Disaster Response and Feed the Children.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
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Related Photos
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THAD AYERS | THE EDMOND SUN Scorched grass and trees sit in ash near a bus for the Apple Creek Learning Center at 803 S. Birch St. in Luther on Saturday. Though most of the ground and trees around the daycare is burned, the center did not sustain major damage.
Discussion
OCSO establishes arson tip lines
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EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
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UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area for the American Red Cross. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the back door to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. Donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway, from 5-10 p.m. -
ME’s office begins identifying Moore, OKC victims
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office today began releasing names of those who perished in Monday’s 17-mile long EF-5 tornado in Moore and Oklahoma City.
As of this morning the official death toll remains at 24. Of those dead are 10 children. -
Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found
The tornado that killed 24 people and injured at least 100 others in the Moore and Oklahoma City area cut a 17-mile-long path that started in Newcastle and ended at Lake Stanley Draper. Nine of the dead are children.
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UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
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