Burns thanks first responders for tornado response

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, released the following statement Monday regarding the tornado and severe weather that hit Idabel and other communities throughout southeastern Oklahoma on Friday evening:

“I am extremely grateful for all the selfless individuals and groups who have come to assist this community and surrounding areas. I want to thank the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, county and local emergency management teams, search and rescue crews, fire and police departments, the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Department, our county commissioners, Governor Stitt and his team, the Choctaw Nation, Senator Lankford, state Representative Eddy Dempsey, former state Senator Josh Brecheen, the Red Cross, and the many other nonprofit organizations and private citizens who have stepped up to help during this difficult time. I know our community is resilient and will come back even stronger following this disaster.”

“I'll continue coordinating at the state level and providing updates in the coming weeks as the community recovers from this violent storm. I also want to commend our state and local election board officials who are working to ensure the voices of our citizens will still be heard on election day.  Although the Trinity Baptist Church was destroyed, citizens will be able to vote at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.  We are grateful to them for opening their doors so voters can still cast their ballots in Tuesday's election.”

Trinity Baptist Church served as the polling place for precinct 8 in McCurtain County, but the building was destroyed by the tornado. For the Nov. 8 election, the precinct will hold voting at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church located at 200 Calvary Ln. in Idabel, just half a mile from the original location.

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For more information, contact: Sen. George Burns at 405-521-5614 or email George.Burns@oksenate.gov