Cleanup underway in areas hit hard by Sunday morning tornadoes

HARRAH, Okla. (KFOR) – Clean up efforts are underway in communities hit by tornadoes early Sunday morning. In Harrah, families and volunteers could be seen working to remove debris and cut up toppled over trees in a neighborhood off Reno Avenue on Monday morning.

Janet Prine’s family was moving hay bales to dry locations and corralling her horses, which survived the storms. One of the four had a minor injury.

“I've got one that kind of hurt its back a little bit," said Prine, who said debris likely hit the horse during the tornado.

She lost parts of her roof, her fence, four outside buildings, and her barn, which was built by her husband who passed away last year. She said it was sentimental and something that will never be replaced.

"It will never get back to where it was before,” said Prine. “You can't replace history. It's going to take a long time to rebuild."

Harrah Church, off Reno, has been converted into a warming center for the Red Cross. Pastor Michael Farris has spent the last two days working with his staff to coordinating volunteers ready to help any way they can.

They have a list of locations in need of clean up. Volunteers are sent to each home to help remove downed limbs and trees using chainsaws and tractors. Some of the neighborhoods are still not accessible due to downed power lines.

"There's a lot of people who are trapped in their driveways because of downed trees and things like that,” said Farris. “They can't even get out of their homes."

Farris said the church will be open as long as there is a need to help the community. They are located at 101 S. Dobbs in Harrah.