SHAWNEE, Okla.—Oklahoma Baptist University sustained severe tornado damage to its campus, but university officials reported no injuries due to the April 19 storm.
“Buildings can be rebuilt. What I’m really happy to report is we have no reported injuries and no reported fatalities,” said Heath Thomas, OBU president, noting the campus experienced the worst damage in its 113-year history.
Raley Chapel, Shawnee Hall, some dormitories and other buildings on the OBU campus were seriously damaged. The university cancelled classes Thursday and Friday.
“It’s going to take time to rebuild,” Thomas told media. “But we’ve got an incredible alumni base, incredible partners [and] incredible friends who already expressed a desire to help.”
The National Weather Service determined the multiple tornadoes that swept through five Oklahoma counties likely included one EF-3, two EF-2s, one EF-1 and one EF-0. The tornado that hit Shawnee was 1.3 miles wide and was on the ground 27 minutes, traveling 15.5 miles and reaching wind speeds of up to 135 mph, the weather service reported.
Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief personnel were in Shawnee the morning following the tornado to assess damage and provide help.
“Our Oklahoma Baptist [disaster relief] trained volunteers will be part of a coordinated response to this tornado devastation in Shawnee and other areas,” said Jason Yarbrough, state director for Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief.
“We are heartbroken for our OBU family—and for our friends and neighbors who were affected across Oklahoma—we will be working to provide all the help and hope people need.”
Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief crews provided meals on the OBU campus, and they removed downed trees and other debris. Chainsaw crews began to help homeowners by removing felled trees from roofs and installing tarps to cover damaged houses. Volunteer chaplains prayed with affected residents and offered spiritual counsel.
A Texas Baptist Men box unit arrived in Shawnee to help residents gather and store recovered items from damaged homes. All TBM chainsaw teams across the state were placed on standby to serve as needed.
“We want to share the love of Jesus and the gospel as we serve people at their point of need,” Yarbrough said.
Compiled from reports by the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, The Baptist Paper and Texas Baptist Men.
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