MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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August 12, 2008

Eufaula continues to clean up storm damage

By Keith Purtell



Business owners and several campground residents near Lake Eufaula are still cleaning up after a powerful thunderstorm hit during the weekend.

City of Eufaula Civil Emergency Management Director Harry Trottier said high winds struck hard Saturday at Lake Eufaula Marina, located near the old Fountainhead Resort.

“It damaged the boat dock extensively,” he said. “You couldn’t see any damage to the boats but we won’t know for sure until they untangle all the metal.”

The storm developed quickly, Trottier said, and there was little anyone could do except look for cover.

“It popped up on the other side of the lake and kept getting worse,” he said. “They were straight-line winds, and we estimated the speed at 85 miles per hour. It stranded boats in the lake. We also had some minor injuries, but they were all transported by private vehicle and were gone by the time I got there.”

Trottier said there was also damage and injuries in a nearby recreational vehicle campground.

“I talked to one man who had scrapes and bruises from being tumbled around inside his vehicle when it was blown over on its side,” he said.

Approximately three camper vehicles were blown over. Trottier said arrangements were being made to bring in emergency equipment to upright them.

“We’re going to get wreckers in there and get them back up on their wheels,” he said. “Two of them are still serviceable and could probably be driven away. One that had a pop-up extension on the side had some bent metal that they were trying to straighten out.”

Trottier said the storm and high winds lasted about 45 minutes before moving southeast and east into Pittsburgh County.



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