(2/12/09) 5:00pm

The debris is starting to grow thin, but Lone Grove residents will not soon forget their friends and family who may have been taken from them by a natural disaster that came and gone in minutes.

Deborah Shorter, a Lone Grove resident who survived the tornado said, "The whole porch is blown over in the field."

The material things don't begin to compare to the lives lost.  Deborah Shorter says that a man staying at her home was blown across the road and killed the night that the EF-4 tornado struck with 170 mile an hour winds.

"He was a really nice kid.  He was hanging out with my grandson and he was like a son to me.  It blew him off of my porch over in a pasture," Shorter explained.

At least 8 people were killed, and more than 40 others injured.  Today, many remain hospitalized from what's been described a night of terror.

"We still are standing at 8.  There are still indications that there might be additional person but we have not been able to confirm that so we are sticking with 8 as a confirmed casualty number," said Marianne Elfert, the Lone Grove City Manager.

Many others remain missing as the clean-up efforts continue.

"We probably have a list of 10-15 names that we are still trying to locate.  It's not a concern that they are in that area, it's a concern that we have not been able to reach them, people are on vacation, people are out of town.  It's very difficult." Elfert described.

17 Oklahoma counties have been declared a State of Emergency by Governor Brad Henry.  President Barack Obama has assured that assistance will be provided.

"This is a devastation and we are a robust community in terms of survival.  I think you can tell people to be patient, to document their damages, to get to a person to get assistance," Elfert added.

But when the rebuilding's done it won't erase the memory of those who are no longer with us...

People have been pouring into the area to help out anyway they can.  Whether it's the Red Cross setting up a shelter, or local churches providing food, and basic necessities Lone Grove residents realize they're not being left alone.

Margie Roberts, a Lone Grove resident said, "We went back about 15 minutes after the storm hit, when we went back into our driveway we had a 2 car carport that's no longer there.  It's my front yard in my trees, on top of my house."

Margie Roberts has been without power for 2 days, and is still cleaning up the mess that was left behind by a tornado that killed at least 8 people.

"I've never seen anything like this....I'm sorry," Roberts said with tear streaming down her face.

With the help of the McLish Church of Christ in Ardmore, displaced residents are able to get a number of supplies that were lost in the storm.

Ben Bailey, the Minister of the McLish Church of Christ said, "We did have a family who worshiped here and there mobile home was completely destroyed.  It's devastating during times like these, one day you have it all, and the next day it's all gone.  We hope that an effort like this in a small way will help people begin to rebuild their lives," Bailey added.

More than 500 boxes of supplies were dropped off today by a semi to help with the clean up process and provide for those who may have small children.

"The spirit of Christ demands that we help people in times like these.  With the stuff we have today it will help families hurt by the tornadoes, we have boxes that will feed a family of 4 for 5 days," Bailey described.

And for Margie, the situation is starting to set in, but she won't be without the community's help.

"We're very thankful for everybody that's been helping, I think today's the initial shock for me....but we do appreciate everything that everyone's going to do," Roberts concluded.

The McLish Church of Christ will be handing out boxes of supplies for displaced residents at 8am-5pm Monday-Saturday, and 1-5 on Sunday.  You can find them at 607 McLish Avenue in Ardmore.

More places that you can help:

• The Lone Grove Church of Christ is taking donations, and volunteers to help in the relief effort.  For more information call 580-657-4455. 
• The Red Cross has a shelter set up in Ardmore at the Heritage Hall Center which is 220 W. Broadway.  If you'd like to donate to the Red Cross to help residents struck by the tornado go to: http://www.okc.redcross.org or call 228-9500.
• If you'd like to help through the Salvation Army, make a donation at: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org  or call 800-725-2769.  Make sure to mention the Oklahoma February Tornadoes.