SALLISAW, OK (AP) — Storms carrying heavy rain and damaging winds ripped part of the roof off a hospital in eastern Oklahoma on Tuesday afternoon, forcing some patients to be evacuated, according to county officials.

The Northeastern Health System hospital in Sallisaw had to evacuate around nine patients after a small section of its roof was peeled off, leaving part of the facility soaked, said Brad Taylor, Sequoyah County's Emergency Management director. No injuries had been reported, he said.

By Tuesday evening, officials were rushing to prepare for another round of damaging rain.

“We’re gathering tarps and fill some sandbags up, and we’re going to try to prevent more water getting inside," he said. "And we’re going to be moving some stuff out of the way.”

Severe storms hit parts of

See Full Page