On May 10, 2008, Picher was
struck by a tornado. There were seven confirmed deaths, and many
other injuries. The tornado first touched down near the Kansas-Oklahoma
border in Oklahoma southwest of Chetopa, Kansas and tracked eastward.
It then slammed into Picher with devastating results. 20 blocks
of the town suffered extensive damage with houses and businesses
destroyed or flattened. The damage in Picher was rated at EF4.
At least 150 others were injured in Picher alone. The tornado
continued eastward, passing just north of Quapaw and Peoria before
crossing Interstate 44 into Missouri. This was the deadliest
tornado in Oklahoma since the South Oklahoma City F5 tornado
on May 3, 1999 which killed 36. The federal government also decided
that there would be no aid given to rebuild homes, but the buyouts
would continue as previously scheduled and people will be assisted
in relocation.
Picher has become notable for
its location near the United States Environmental Protection
Agency's Tar Creek Superfund site, which had a long history of
underground lead and zinc mining until around 1970. Chat piles
left behind by the mining companies contain lead dust that has
blown around the town. Elevated lead levels in Picher children
have led to learning disabilities and other problems. The lead
and zinc have also seeped into groundwater, ponds, and lakes,
many of which still are used by children for swimming. Since
the children of Picher have been found to have elevated levels
of lead in their bodies, the EPA has since declared Picher to
be one of the most toxic areas in the United States. |