Within hours of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee sustaining severe tornado damage on Wednesday evening (April 19), Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were onsite assessing damage. In Oklahoma, at least three deaths were reported as a result of storms that slammed the central part of the state.
OBU described damage to the campus as “significant,” but no injuries were reported. Many buildings and some dorms on campus were hit hard by the tornado, the university said. Classes were canceled Thursday and Friday.
“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.
“It’s going to take time to rebuild,” he told media, “but we’ve got an incredible alumni base, incredible partners, incredible friends who already expressed a desire to help.”
‘Coordinated response’
Jason Yarbrough, director of OBDR, shared updates on the response to storm damage. “Our Oklahoma Baptist DR-trained volunteers will be part of a coordinated response to this tornado devastation in Shawnee and other areas. 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.”
On Thursday afternoon, OBDR reported volunteers were providing meals for the OBU campus, helping with chainsaw work and debris removal and applying tarps to the roofs of homeowners. Volunteers were also offering chaplaincy services.
“We want to share the love of Jesus and the gospel as we serve people at their point of need,” Yarbrough added.
Gov. Kevin Stitt shared on social media, “Last night, severe weather devastated parts of Shawnee & Cole and three of our fellow Oklahomans lost their lives.
“As we come together in prayer for all those affected,” he noted, “we’re working diligently to assess the damage and restore our communities.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting from the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger.
