Governor Stitt, ODEMHS Director Gower Secure FEMA Individual Assistance, Small Business Loans

Following yesterday’s announcement of additional federal assistance to help the state recover from the historic February winter storm, Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Mark Gower thanked the federal government for its quick response and called on Oklahomans to continue to report damages.

“Oklahomans experienced a once-in-a-lifetime storm last week and this individual assistance is critical for our full recovery,” said Gov. Stitt. “I’m grateful for Director Gower’s tenacity and thankful to the Biden Administration for continuing to assist Oklahoma.”

The declaration allows homeowners, renters, and business owners in 16 Oklahoma counties to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA and/or low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Counties currently eligible for assistance are Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Comanche, Cotton, Hughes, Jefferson, Le Flore, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pittsburg, Stephens, Tulsa, and Wagoner.

The assistance may include help with housing repairs or temporary housing, grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property. To apply, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

Gov. Stitt and ODEMHS hope to add more counties to the declaration as additional damages are identified and verified by FEMA.

For anyone with significant property damage caused by the winter storm who is not in one of the 16 approved counties, please report damage online today at damage.ok.gov. Examples of significant damage include flooding and water damage inside the home from broken pipes, roof damage or roof collapse, major damage to HVAC systems and electrical systems, sewage backups, long term water outages, or other issues. Users can also upload photos of their damage through the website.

“Reporting your damages helps the state continue to build a case for federal assistance for residents in additional counties who are suffering from damage left from the winter storm,” said ODEMHS Director Mark Gower. “We are working closely with FEMA throughout this process and appreciate their partnership and support.”

Additionally, all 77 Oklahoma counties have been approved for Public Assistance Category B for emergency protective measures including emergency operations center costs, sheltering and mass care, and other costs associated with responding to the winter storm. Additional assistance may be approved once damage assessments are complete.