KOA campground in Claremore takes direct hit from tornado

A young Claremore family is thankful to be alive after taking shelter at the KOA Campground during the May 26 tornado.
Ronnie Huckaby, his wife, and their 7-month-old baby were about to go to sleep when he got a frantic call from his friend.
2 News' Karen Larsen reports.
Read more at kjrh.com: www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/...
#campground #tornadodamage #oklahoma #claremore

[@dirktravels]

Hat's off to the Cherokee Nation for having those shelters it looks like they just save a couple hundred people.

[@NYCHFAN]

💯❤️❤️

[@rachelwickart275]

🥰🥰🥰

[@yourturn777]

Cherokee Nation 💘✊🏼 Always REAL helping. "CO Operating ⬅️ TOGETHER ⬅️, the horses have been moved" 😊 God will handle stitty✊🏼

[@olvinyldude]

Good people, they are

[@chericeevans9990]

Agreed. I have stayed at a lot of campgrounds with my parents. None had tornado shelters. It is amazing that this one had such a shelter.

[@tebethblaker777]

That tornado shelter just paid for itself & more. Thank you, Cherokee Nation!

[@ThePowerOfOneThePowerOfTwo]

No kidding! The amount of lives they saved is priceless. Good on them for building a storm shelter

[@jenlpoc1839]

How logical an idea to have a storm shelter at a camp ground. Seems they should be standard at these places

[@gloriajean8024]

Yes, and they are needed in every trailer park in tornado ally.

[@AtarahDerek]

I believe KOA makes them standard in all tornado-prone areas.

[@lovevideos1699]

Such a nice and caring son to take care of his parents.

[@timothyleon558]

Proud of my Cherokee Heritage. Their helping hands are amazing.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Much more than we all realize...

[@susanflores6383]

So wonderful to hear that there was an adequate tornado shelter there. Thank you!

[@robinmccubbins8139]

What a wonderful caring son.

[@californigirl]

My thoughts exactly❤

[@LweissTTU]

Thankful they had a shelter to go to last night

[@wisdomsleuth77777]

I think all campgrounds and mobile home communities should have a mandatory Community storm shelter

[@ThePorshaEdmun]

Same I agree

[@pamschwindt]

While camping in OK I found most campgrounds did have storm shelters. It really made me feel safe

[@TinaRN]

I agree with you! My sister owns 4 rental mobile homes, and has a shelter for family, and their tenants.

[@20PINKluvr]

At least there was a shelter. Many mobile home parks don't have one

[@emilyfeagin2673]

It should be a federal law. It would save lives

[@scarpfish]

​@@emilyfeagin2673 When you start mandating things, those mandates cost money. Costs that will be passed onto people who use the premises. Maybe these rich folks with their RV lifestyle can afford that, but the folks in mobile home parks, many of whom are on a fixed income, can't. You message board idealists never seem to think that one out.

[@moellerborn]

@@scarpfish Lives are more important than money. Building such shelters should be a priority for the people living in mobile home parks. This is where tax money should be spend first!

[@suzannen.6403]

Most I’ve seen do.

[@lazynow1]

its NOT a mobile home park...its an RV park bone head....

[@lindawoody8501]

When traveling by car or RV, please try to know the name of the county you are going to stay at that night. Weather bulletins are by county name and it will be helpful in severe weather to understand if a warning is for the area you will be in or are in. Also do ask management of the campground or RV resort or Hotel if there are nearby shelters or what they recommend if severe weather is forecast. Of course this is particularly important for tornado prone areas but you also could see a disaster in any area so do figure out what you need to do before it is too late.

[@jsshay01]

Write your congressmen and tell them that we NEED AM radio in cars and trucks to follow weather forecasts. It’s an ongoing battle, car manufacturers want to end AM radios in cars.

[@Gdji5fv]

I'll just sit my butt at home where I'm more familiar with the area. Camping is not for me.

[@outdoorswithwoodswoman8467]

I agree w you always prepare ahead of time know your state and county your in if there is a shelter in the place your staying or where the shelter is located so you can stay safe

[@beverlystufflebeam5731]

Thank you Cherokee Nation for having shelters at the KOA!!

[@SaltySouthTexan]

Watched it live on Ryan Hall Yall last night. What a wild night it was in tornado alley. From Texas to Kansas

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

He’s the best.

[@amysix2067]

He’s still going

[@BabsKaz]

Geoengineering.

[@Eurocatbaby]

Thank the Cherokee Nation for making sure that people had a place to go when the tornado hit. A lot of camp sites don't have any shelter for people. What a great son to fly right out to get his parents home safe. My heart breaks for all those people at the camp ground.

[@Neppy1414]

that shelter is incredible!!

[@petgranny194]

Glad the Cherokee Nation KOA had storm shelters big enough for all the visitors. Well done.

[@helenjones568]

That KOA campground is awesome!!!! They had a tornado shelter in place! NOW that is caring for their people! Awesome! Why can't home builders do the same!? No basement, than a shelter! Love for people or money!?

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Construction used to build them in, but overcharged for their inclusion, so folks quit ordering them..

[@barbarakrall1184]

The Cherokee Nation has got it together. They saved all those peoples lives by doing what needed to be done! Thanks to Cherokee Nation.

[@BabsKaz]

Once again.

[@willymaykit1482]

Ass kisser.

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I hope everyone is alright. Not a tornado but I tried to drive a Class C motor home in a blizzard in Utah. Big mistake. Only rolled onto it's side in the ditch but I was shocked at the damage. Every dish, pot, and anything and everything was destroyed. My vintage Craftsman tool box was bent. Nothing was salvageable. It took me two days to find my dog. But she was OK at the city dump. RVs are fragile. But they are just things. People and pets are all that's important.

[@lagodifuoco313]

Storm shelters should be mandatory at all major public places. Campgrounds, travel centers, rest areas, malls, etc.

[@BeTe-me9oc]

GOD BLESS THE CHEROKEE NATION MEMBERS, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, FOR THEIR KINDNESS... ⚡⚡✝️✝️♥️♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏👍👍

[@marblox9300]

So sad that people have to deal with this. Life is hard enough without additional problems.

[@Moore_cookies51]

TIME FOR REPENTANCE!

[@donnaduhamel6004]

Whew..good tornado room thanks 1st nation group❤ brilliant😊

[@yellowbird5411]

The tornados are raging right now, again, and hitting already hit towns. Dozens of tornados today. YT has live chasers showing the maps real time.

[@dwtwo533]

Any things to Cherokee nation for building that tornado shelter

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Many Thanks...

[@faithgrasso697]

Weve only had tornados for 4 straight weeks. Why go near ok....ark...ks...tx...

[@tripplefives1402]

You forgot Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia which also had tornadoes.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

The reality is that there is still a low probability of getting caught in any of these tornadoes and experiencing damage.

[@artisticdriver4218]

Thank God they had that shelter!

[@BufordDuckworth]

Why thank the guy who sent the tornado?

[@artisticdriver4218]

@@BufordDuckworth God doesn’t send storms, He helps you survive it. I pray you come to know the Goodness of God. Your anger is misplaced😔

[@hopefloats7573]

​@artisticdriver4218 You can't give God credit for a sunset and not blame him for a tornado.

[@artisticdriver4218]

@@hopefloats7573 He allowed it. I also see him moving because of the tornados, and bringing communities together.

[@artisticdriver4218]

@@hopefloats7573 As far as the Sunset, I watch and Thank God I am here to see another one😊

[@trueloveingod2691]

I feel really bad for those people because some of them may not have any other home. Feel sorry for the horses too.

[@pipandlou]

Love that woman's faith 🥰🙏

[@philliphall5198]

So very happy they had a cellar

[@LoriL010]

?

[@jljohnson8450]

My prayers go out to ALL of the community. My Grandparents purchased a parcel in an up and coming Sr. Community back in the 60's. I considered moving into the area, now that we're retired. I pray you get whatever funding needed to try to reclaim your lives. Deep sorrow for lost mementos. 💞💞💞

[@djdigital3806]

I just bought a 2024 RV. Condolences 💐

[@mattdelany6799]

Did you not do research? They are all junk. It will fall apart.

[@HugsBach]

Cherokee Strong 💪 ❤️ 👏

[@LauraAnn085]

Glad nobody was in them 🙏🏼

[@allenra530]

God bless the Cherokee Nation for being so well prepared to shelter the campers.

[@sookie4195]

My daughter and I were in a motor home in Florida before a hurricane. We were told to leave the state. We drove like bats out of hell till we made out.

[@aarongarmonRealtor]

Paying for Claremore. Used to be my home.

[@abatude5879]

Good thing the Cherokee Nation has their own tornado shelter further campers in people around

[@marilynadams349]

Thank you for shelters

[@barbaracarlson1331]

Thank God there was a good tornado shelter for the campers!

[@mattdelany6799]

Consult your tarot cards. God created the tornado. Check your astrology chart, read your fortune cookie.

[@peggysmart439]

That KOA is smart

[@elizastar1973]

The better RV camping parks usually have tornado shelters.

[@kgraham5820]

Comparatively speaking, they ARE toys!!

[@marypennington6519]

My heart. ❤ goes out to surviors of theses stroms. God bless them all

[@FeliciaQueen17]

Where did they get those shelters from?

[@charleschi843]

You know there was a big financial debate whether or not the tornado shelter would be worth the cost. Thankful they found the funds to install one.

[@raycosman824]

Good advertisement for how lite an airstream is.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

They aren't any lighter than others... 18 Wheelers & fully loaded Tractor-Trailers get picked up all the time

[@NextNate03]

1st time ever hearing about a camp ground having a storm shelter. The state I live, none of the State Parks have a storm shelter.

[@CT-yl3oj]

Heck, they need a new camper. Just stay away from our death valley. This weather is insane this year. At this rate there won't be any buildings here.

[@anibor99]

@Tim Roberts is this where you were?

[@nowistime8070]

word up to Cherokee Nation!!

[@michaelbrannan4864]

You're in good hands with all snake

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Ain't it the TRUTH....

[@AsijkDniw]

Tornadoes have only occurred four weeks in a row. Why approach ok, ark, ks, tx, etc.?

[@Ladybuglou2]

Every mobile home park where I live needs to have a tornado shelter built on it like this K I A campground save lives in mobile homes.

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

My parents live in Claremore, but all that happened to them was that their carport collapsed and they lost power. I live in an apartment in Tulsa and it was just a regular thunderstorm here. I heard the tornado sirens, but I didn't do anything because I wouldn't know where to go.

[@bilinasmini3480]

I'm glad no one was inside them.

[@pampage7162]

This was an excellent facility; large enough and allowing easy access, even for disabled. Even if required by law, many would not have such a shelter as this one. I'm sure it was very costly to put in. This shelter should be specifically highlighted in the news, and towns made aware of them, how they held up under that tornado and how ppl can contact company to build these in communities. May need to build underground with access , but most facilities available are difficult to access and not large enough because they were not built for that purpose.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

This facility gets all it's investment monies back, via the Population...

[@risinbison1106]

Yeah….camping in spring in Oklahoma maybe want to check that forecast. It’s been a rough year already.

[@hopefaithandlove6236]

He's a good son!!!...I'm glad everyone was safe. ..

[@1min-quotes]

What specific measures did the Cherokee Nation implement to aid tornado victims?

[@olvinyldude]

Sorry folks, visitors that your stay here was with bad result...We really are a great state, but...we do get nasty weather sometimes! Glad everyone safe, is what matters...

[@rvingkeepitrolling8797]

Wow the campground i lived at didn't have a shelter and people live there.

[@mariagraffelner5216]

As a fellow Pennsylvanian….get outta there! We have no idea how to deal with these types of storms!! Prayers and love for all who are affected.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Get a below ground storm Shelter... done deal...

[@porshataylor-ee5ri]

I'm so happy y'all are physically ok. I know mentally y'all are shook up, prayers that is healed soon

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

Wow😮...i cant even imagine...

[@sharont1]

what about the grambling race horses? W.H.A.T!

[@twentynineteen4687]

That really gave me pause as well.

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

The tornado must’ve thought the campground was a trailer park so it headed right for it.

[@scarpfish]

RV's are the REAL mobile homes. 🚐💨🌪

[@carolinematusevich889]

GOD BLESS THE OK CHEROKEE NATION FOR PROTECTING YOUR SILLY NON-NATIVE NEIGHBORS WHO BUILT A KOA CAMPGROUND IN THE MIDDLE OF TORNADO ALLEY WITHOUT A MASSIVE STORM SHELTER. 🙏

[@marcieclemens2359]

And the planning depth for demanding it .

[@Ligmanutz]

The county failed to sound sirens

[@demetrisrobinson4026]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@dallastrujillo7540]

That’s horrendous. What are u supposed to do when u live in you’re camper full time till Ins pays out?!

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

How awful.

[@cheddar2648]

Many thanks to the Cherokee Nation whose forehandedness and planning saved many lives this weekend.

[@PieounXimo]

That people have to put up with this is really awful. Without more issues, life is already difficult enough.

[@NaimoAqio]

GOD BLESS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE CHEROKEE NATION FOR THEIR KINDNESS... 🇻🇸🇺🇸

[@patriciablankenbaker8817]

They were lucky this campsite had a real tornado shelter. So many campsites only have concrete block bathrooms as the only available shelter. To my mind, all campgrounds in tornado areas should have real tornado shelters!

[@patty520]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ThicketThunder]

You work all day everyday just to finally get that vacation and soon as you do you get hit by a damn tornado....

[@MustPassTruck]

I bet over 99% of camp grounds don't have an actual tornado shelter. If they have any shelter is it usually just the bath house which is NOT rated for it. Sure most places don't need them, but almost all of them in tornado alley don't.

[@KlisrColi]

I'm glad no one was inside them.

[@monicalifornia_]

Great son. 💖

[@admtahoe]

Look, we found the absolute worse picture we could find, here is a destroyed camper... the news always tries to find the worse shot possible.

[@twentynineteen4687]

1:38 what an awesome son.

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

Congrats to the Cherokee Nation. It’s time to give this country back to them. ❤

[@gailjames6489]

Thank you native Americans for your storm shelter. 👏👏👏👏

[@kevinpatrick5162]

That's awful.

[@thomasgriffin8269]

Glad there was a storm shelter for everyone

[@davidchavez81]

If you make it home, you had a good trip.

[@JJ38255]

Well airstream lived up to its name. It can take off and fly like a plane through the air. Still needs work on the landing though

[@prawnstar9213]

Oh thank god they had a shelter!

[@willymaykit1482]

I don't want people to get hurt but the intelligence levels of these folks is unbelievable. Live in places like this and then wonder what happened. 🙄🙄

[@benbohannon]

Luckily, tornadoes only hit on weekends when we’re not working.

[@trilby5546]

The Lord puts you in the oath of a tornado?👎

[@seph4667]

There is no tormado refund.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

Don't expect Uncle Sam to provide, Uncle Sam runs a Tax Service... Your Reps & congressional members are overpaid Tax Service Representatives.

[@tamjacobite4758]

So so so tragic!! I feel so sorry for everyone. I am sure some had their life savings in their RV and now it is all gone

[@heidim6468]

Thank goodness for the shelter….

[@Fred-dc2km]

Can you imagine people with homes have way more trash then homeless camp

[@territaylor6685]

I don't understand why anyone wants to go camping with the storms around

[@robertcolpitts4534]

They could be traveling or visiting the race track. Most were probably passing through.

[@CryMeARiver63]

Some storms just come out of nowhere. One minute everything is nice and sunny the next second all hell can break loose .

[@djdigital3806]

They live there. It’s a RV park

[@BeTe-me9oc]

" It's AN r.v. park..."

[@NextNate03]

What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. Billy Madison (movie)

[@Fred-dc2km]

Koa the front door view to mother nater hard at work

[@karendavis7986]

🙏

[@sookie4195]

Those poor horses were trapped in barns. Animals such as horses and cows do better running free.

[@Lemonarmpits]

The Lord put you where you're supposed to be ?? The lord loves us and gave us free will you put yourself there stop blaming other people..

[@beverlyvanstone9129]

Horrible what that horrid thing does .God's safety kept you out of there and Dawns Why I send up for 🙏🙏🙏of safety .Horrible what it does

[@t-virusterrance4734]

Hello, humans