Missing man identified after tornado devastated Barnsdall

BARNSDALL, Okla. — Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt among those holding out hope that a missing Barnsdall man will be found alive after last night's EF4 tornado.

"We're praying a miracle happens,” Stitt said.

Search and rescue teams including Oklahoma Task Force One and their K9's spent the day looking for Wayne Hogue.

FOX23 spoke with his daughter-in-law, Tamara Hogue, who was straight-faced and strong and said Wayne’s faith in the Lord makes them feel OK that if he is gone, they are OK.

They are still chasing down every lead looking for him and hoping he turns up.

This is all that is left of Wayne’s home in Barnsdall, just a pile of cinder blocks.

“Just being there and seeing the debris and destruction and knowing he was in his home and did not move very fast at 81, it would be very hard for me to believe outside of miracles from God that there is truth behind that,” Tamara said.

Tamara spent the day in town looking for him.

His mobile home was in the direct path of the tornado that tore through the town.

“We had to wait until this morning to search with them in the debris,” Tamara said.

Wayne's mobile home was lifted by the violent tornado and thrown across town.

Tamara said right before his home was hit, they spoke with him.

“We actually talked to Wayne on the phone about two minutes before it hit Barnsdall and my husband was on the phone. He did not plan on leaving his home and he knew that as soon as we found out it hit Barnsdall, we knew something was not right. We tried calling him and his phone was immediately off and going straight to voicemail,” Tamara said.

The road to Wayne's house is blocked off and cadaver dogs are going through town as well as first responders to look for him.

FOX23 spoke with Tamara about her resolve and being able to sit and talk all the while not knowing where he is or if he is even alive.

“Not just our trust, but Wayne’s faith. He was a man of God and we know without a doubt that he was ready to go when God was ready to take him,” said Tamara. “We believe in miracles as well.”

Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. there is a curfew in the town and a few roads are blocked off as people continue to search for Wayne.

OCSO says anyone who's seen Hogue or has any information regarding his whereabouts should call OCSO immediately at 918-287-3131.

FOX23 will follow this story for updates.