Assessing tornado casualties
Diana Cummings drives toward a calf that was injured in Saturday's storms. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Deoral Carr is a rancher who lives in Kremlin, Okla. In addition to his home being damaged during Saturday night’s storms, Carr’s livestock suffered casualties. Seven of his animals died and several more sustained massive injuries.
On Monday, neighbor and longtime friend, Diana Cummings came to Carr’s home to assess the injuries to the livestock. Cummings, a rancher, plans to care for as many of her friend’s animals as she can. Lacerations to the neck and legs can be stitched and broken bones may heal, but in at least one case, a cow with a large chunk of her leg missing will have to be put down.
Deoral Carr walks toward his friend's truck after looking at injuries to his livestock. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Diana Cummings’ dedication to her friend’s animals was remarkable. While refusing to be photographed, she led us through Deoral’s fields and talked about her own animals and how attached she is to them. She made a phone call as we talked to see if members of her family could come over to help care for Deoral’s livestock.
The tornado killed seven head of livestock, but in the storm’s wake, it was nice to see a neighbor caring for her elderly friend today. And it was nice to leave knowing that some of these animals would survive.
A cow with a large laceration on her neck waits in a field following a tornado in Kremlin, Okla., on Saturday. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A cow stands next to her calf in a field near Kremlin, Okla. This cow will, more than likely, be put down due to the severity of the wound on her leg. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
This cow died during Saturday's storms in Kremlin, Okla. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
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