Gut-Wrenching What Happened to Stillwater - Hard To Know What To Say, but Do Is Different

STILLWATER – Truth be known; I use that dateline “STILLWATER” for all my home-based stories because Stillwater is where so much of our content takes place. Often, I write from there, but sometimes I may write it from my home in Edmond. I use that dateline in good conscious and with pride. I’ve been visiting Stillwater since I was a kid. I spent weeks many summers staying with my aunt and uncle and going all over town and campus. I went to school and met my wife, Lynne, there. Our kids went to Oklahoma State. Now, my son and daughter-in-law live there, and my grandkids are enjoying growing up in maybe the best town in America to do so.

Pokes Report

View from Hwy 51 near I-35 looking back at Stillwater on Friday evening.

I left Stillwater around 4 p.m. on Friday and it took me close to two and half hours to get home to Edmond. There was really only one way to leave Stillwater and go south. There were delays all over the state. Road stoppage to allow emergency vehicles to get through. Initially, I thought I left my favorite college town, and it would be okay when the winds subsided. Last night I was in communication with friends, it was a sleepless night for many, as I know a lot of people that were evacuated with their families. It also was not okay, not by a long shot.

With sunrise this morning and the ability to see and survey the damage, the initial estimate was perhaps as many as 200 homes burned down in west and southwest Stillwater. Fortunately, the later more accurage count is closer to 100 either destroyed or damaged. I know the names of many of the folks who lost their homes. They are coaches, administrators, huge boosters and fans, and even some athletes or former athletes at Oklahoma State. They’re neighbors who share living in and loving this community and Oklahoma State University. 

There are many people who I know that have lost everything. This is not a news story and I’m not going to list for you the University and athletic celebrities and important individuals who have lost their homes, memories and heartbreak. There are so many families, all important, devastated and they all deserve our assistance, our love and our prayers. 

I know we often see disasters from other parts of the country, across the World, and we take notice, may donate to Red Cross or relief funds, but when it comes to your doorstep and rips through the emotions of you, your family, and friends it is different. I have cried multiple times this morning. I have offered shelter, transportation, clothes, and money. I’ve said to several individuals that whatever you need, you just tell me. 

That goes for today, tomorrow, and it is going to need to go for a while, because Stillwater has just started the healing, and we will all be healing as a community for some time.  

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, here are some outlets:

stillwaterstrongrelief@gmail.com

You can email any requests for assistance to them. Food, water, clothing, medicine or a place to stay.

For Red Cross assistance in Stillwater, you can call the 24-hour disaster response call center at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit the Northern Oklahoma Chapter website.