Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2007 -- Situation Update 10

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received the following reports related to the winter storm that moved through the Panhandle Dec. 29-30. State response assistance is now concluded, however the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers as they work through the recovery phase of the incident.

No fatalities reported. One injury reported. Last Tuesday, a stranded female cancer patient in need of medication and treatment was transported from her Cimarron County home to a hospital in Clayton, N.M.

A State of Emergency, as declared by Gov. Brad Henry, continues for Beaver, Cimarron and Texas counties. The declaration provides a formal mechanism for local governments within Beaver, Cimarron and Texas counties to seek reimbursement for recovery costs through the state's disaster public assistance program.

Approximately 11,000 head of livestock were fed by Cimarron County Ranch Rescue, the state's hay relief effort. The program to feed cattle, horses and other livestock stranded by the winter storm concluded Sunday. Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry delivered round bales of hay using two Oklahoma Army National Guard Chinook helicopters as well as flat bed trailers. The Chinooks flew 43 mission hours, delivering 201,150 pounds of hay. The helicopters and 14 crew members were from the Oklahoma Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility in Lexington. Many area ranchers also assisted with the effort which Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Terry Peach personally oversaw from the Boise City Command Post.

Recovery efforts continue, including preliminary damage assessment work. Teams which include county and city officials as well as representatives of OEM and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), have been surveying damage to public facilities, roads and bridges as well as damage to the electric and phone systems caused by the Dec. 29 snow storm and the Dec. 19 ice storm. Damage estimates will be available tomorrow.

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports about 1,500 Tri-County Electric Cooperative customers remain without power, primarily in rural Texas and Cimarron counties. Tri-County officials continue to report most customers who can safely receive electric service should have their power restored by Wednesday.

None reported at this time.

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