A tornado tore through Elk City, Oklahoma earlier this week, destroying at least 50 homes and causing severe damage to dozens of buildings. At least 20 people sustained injuries and one was killed. A reported 2,400 people are without power as another storm approaches.
Deadly tornadoes hit Oklahoma https://t.co/JHumCRhHvX
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 17, 2017
On Thursday, Western Oklahoma Family Care Center (WOFCC) contacted Direct Relief with a list of needed medical items. The list included personal care supplies and emergency medical backpacks. The backpacks, which contain essential first aid items for first responders, were requested as a high priority.
WOFCC helps underprivileged individuals living in western Oklahoma. The nonprofit, based in Elk City, was open Tuesday morning to provide disaster relief and distribute essential items, including clothing and household goods.
Severe t-storms are erupting over Texas & Oklahoma with one storm already producing a #tornado. Storm reports: https://t.co/kAiqjl4I43 pic.twitter.com/he8We9VGGd
— AccuWeather (@breakingweather) May 18, 2017
Hope Medical Clinic, owned and operated by the WOFCC, also requested critical items including pain medication and wound care products to treat victims in need of medical attention. A shipment of medical resources is departing today from Direct Relief’s warehouse.
Direct Relief will continue to monitor the storm and respond to any additional requests by health centers and clinics in the coming days.
Dangerous tornado outbreak forecast Thursday in Kansas, Oklahoma
CLOSE Violent weather is forecast Thursday for the second time this week in the nation’s heartland. An outbreak of severe thunderstorms with tornadoes, large hail and wind damage is expected across parts of the southern and central Plains on Thursday afternoon into the overnight hours, the Storm Prediction Center said.
