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Teen Missing After Rescue Near Oklahoma Dam

Missing Teen Member Of High School Track Team

POSTED: 2:03 pm PDT August 22, 2007
UPDATED: 3:31 pm PDT August 22, 2007

One teenager is missing and two others were rescued in floodwaters near an Oklahoma City dam on Wednesday, authorities said.

Safety Officials said the teens were screaming for help near the Lake Overholser Dam, located in the northwest part of the city. According to authorities, the teens were members of a local cross country team.

After going for a run Wednesday afternoon, the three teens went for a swim near the dam. Later, the teenagers were heard screaming and authorities managed to rescue two of them.

Safety Officials told KOCO-TV the current is so strong they aren't sure they will be able to continue their search.

Cleanup Begins Across State
Disaster has been declared for 24 counties across Oklahoma, but while dry weather is allowing cleanup to begin in several areas, floodwaters are still a concern in others.

The North Canadian River isn't expected to crest until Wednesday morning near 19 feet, which is 2 feet above flood stage. In Yukon, it should crest above 2 feet above flood stage sometime Tuesday, officials said.

The Cimarron River near Perkins has crested at 18 feet, which is a foot above flood stage. The water there should be receding by this afternoon, authorities said.

However, receding waters are leaving behind quite a bit of debris, officials said. So far, authorities have identified:

  • 150 homes and businesses damaged near Kingfisher
  • 150 homes damaged in Caddo County
  • More than 130 homes damaged in the Watonga area

In Watonga, Okla., crews are working to repair train tracks that were washed away, forcing train engineers to change their routes. There is also work being done at the airport in Watonga, where strong winds blew down a hangar and knocked over airplanes.

Authorities in Kingfisher have voiced concern for the health of residents affected by floodwaters. Officials said flooding provides a great environment for mold to grow, which could cause health problems for children and senior citizens.

Those who are allergic to mold could experience watery eyes, sneezing, itching and coughing. Mold has been known to cause wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Experts said the best way to clean up mold is to clean surfaces with soap and water. Once the area is cleaned, experts recommend using bleach to disinfect surfaces and to make sure the mold does not come back.

6 Dead In Okla. Storm
Remnants from Tropical Storm Erin were to blame for six deaths in Oklahoma and widespread, significant flooding and damage on Sunday, authorities said.

Three women in Carnegie were killed in the storms on Sunday, as were women in Fort Cobb and Seminole and a man in Omega.

Authorities said Dorita Horse, 77; Helen Horse, 34; and Rose Saddleblanket, 17, were traveling home from Lawton when high water washed the van off Highway 58, six miles south of Carnegie.

Dorita Horse's husband was in another vehicle and saw his wife being washed away.

"When it died out, it began to float sideways, and I said, 'Oh my God, I hope they have trees over there where they can catch them.' Then I started to dive in. I thought, 'I'm not like I used to be,' so I'll be a casualty today. I backed up, and I hollered, 'I can't help you. There is nothing I can do,'" said Billy Evan-Horse.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers found the women's bodies on Sunday night.

Evan-Horse and his wife were married for 60 years. They had 11 children and were part of the Kiowa tribe.

In addition to the deaths, wind in Watonga injured two people and damaged homes. Wind gusts also snapped power lines early Sunday, leaving as many as 25,000 people without electricity.

As many as 75 people had to be rescued from flood waters in Kingfisher, officials said. Rescuers used air boats, going block by block to look in every home and business. They looked for people stuck on roofs, too, finishing the search late Sunday.

Authorities said they plan to resume searching on Monday.

High water also forced evacuations in El Reno, and many residents spent the night in shelters. Officials with the American Red Cross said they are ready if they need to open more shelters in the area.

"We have some backup shelters set up now," said Laurie Mason Fried. "We have worked to identify where those shelters will be. As one fills, we will move our resources to the next two or three to take care of what the community (needs)."

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