
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990                   TAG: 9005170170
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STILLWATER, OKLA.                                LENGTH: Short

OKLAHOMA TORNADO KILLS ONE

A tornado that pulverized its way across the city smashed cars, blew away roofs and drove wooden planks from rafters 2 and 3 feet deep into yards.

One person was killed and eight were injured in Stillwater and more than 200 homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged. A tornado also struck near Foyil, injuring eight people.

"I thought our house was bad, but when you look at this part of the neighborhood, I don't even know how anybody could survive this," Kathy Ackerman said as she looked over the damage the tornado caused late Tuesday. "You have to see it to believe it."

"It came through those back yards and touched down on top of our house," said Jan Van Pelt. "We're still digging, but at least we still have each other and our baby and our puppy."

"A lot of these houses are total losses," said Clem Santine, who heads a disaster team for State Farm Insurance. "They're probably looking at bulldozing and starting over."

by CNB