Picher, OK
Picher is located on the North-east corner of Oklahoma near the Kansas, Missouri border. It was formerly a center of lead and zinc mining. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. But recent discoveries of ground contamination and the possibility of a cave in under the town site have prompted nearly all of its population to evacuate Picher, and the nearby town of Cardin is expected to follow suit.
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.
On April 24, 2006, Reuters reported that Picher had been scheduled to be closed and all residents removed. Due in large part to the removal of large amounts of subsurface material during mining operations, many of the town's structures have been deemed in imminent danger of caving in.
Disaster
On May 10, 2008, Picher was struck by a tornado. As of May 11th there were six confirmed deaths, possibly including one child, and many other injuries. 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.
MDS Response
MDS is working with the local long-term recovery committee, Community Disaster Recovery Coalition. Some MDS volunteers stay at the Apostolic Assembly Church. The Oklahoma MDS Unit is coordinating all short-term volunteers. One two-bedroom home was completed in March 2009. There is a possibility the MDS will continue working in Picher this fall or winter.
Photo Gallery
Project Reports
Weekly Report for Picher
As I reflected on the past week, I couldn’t help but think of the special people that the Lord had blessed us with for this project.
Within the report you will find only a few of them mentioned. The support of the surrounding...
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Project statistics
Picher, Oklahoma
130 A St. N.E.
Miami, OK 74354
e-mail: picher(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Director:
Project Open Date:January 5, 2009
Volunteers to date: 180
Jobs Started: 2
Jobs Completed: 0
Project End Date: Project is closed
Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing to volunteer.
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