Norman Community Bands Together In Wake Of Storm

Two-thousand homes and businesses in Norman are without power tonight after a tornado touched down at about 4 p.m. Friday, but even in the dark and with the damage, the people are still coming together.

Friday, April 13th 2012, 11:50 pm

By: News 9


Two-thousand homes and businesses in Norman are without power tonight after a tornado touched down at about 4 p.m. Friday, but even in the dark and with the damage, the people are still coming together.

Homeowners aren't taking this storm sitting down. Mother Nature may have uprooted trees, but she's brought together communities.

On Boyd & McGee sits the cornerstone of the community, Westside Church of Christ, which suffered a heavy toll when the tornado struck. Church member Greg Giltner says God got their attention Friday

"The wind took the door outta my hand and threw me into the building. I grabbed two people and we ran down and took cover," said Giltner.

And then realized they were left uncovered when the roof above the kitchen was torn off.

"We got a little bit separated about 4 o'clock, but thank goodness no injuries to us or anyone in the building. It's just damage that can be replaced," said Giltner.

Giltner's neighbors share his sentiments

"I was more worried about the [collateral] damage. I never feared for my life like I did the other time. I did think we were gonna die in that our tornado," said one neighbor.

He survived, but trees and power lines didn't. But even people who have thousands of dollars worth of damage still have a reason to smile and praise come Sunday. 

"Living in Oklahoma, it's the luck of the draw. Today we were lucky, tomorrow we won't be," said Giltner. 

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