Situation Update 2

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2007 – 8 p.m. – Update #2

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received the following damage reports related to the severe storms that moved through Oklahoma March 29. Damage assessments are underway in many areas. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) officials remain in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas. There are no requests for state assistance at this time.

Weather Summary: Thunderstorms developed across much of Oklahoma on Thursday producing a tornado in far western Oklahoma City. Flooding is also possible due to repeated storms moving over the area. A flash flood watch has been issued for much of Oklahoma. The severe weather threat will continue into Friday with the potential for another active severe weather day.

4 injuries reported in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Oklahoma City Fire officials report 1 individual transported to an Oklahoma City area hospital after the van he was driving went into a concrete culvert on the Kilpatrick Turnpike. Fire officials also report a seven-year-old Oklahoma City girl treated for cuts and lacerations at an Oklahoma City hospital. EMSA officials report 2 individuals with injuries were transported to an Oklahoma City area hospital after their travel trailer was heavily damaged near Wilshire and the Kilpatrick Turnpike.

Currently about 3,100 OG&E customers are without power statewide. The majority of the outages are in western Oklahoma City where 1,400 are without power and in the Piedmont area where about 1,285 are without power. At the height of the outages about 14,000 customers were without electric service.

Oklahoma City Emergency Management reports about 50 structures damaged, including 6 homes with major damage, 6 homes with moderate damage and numerous homes and outbuildings that sustained minor damage.

Oklahoma City officials have established a joint command post at Stonebridge Elementary School on the northwest side of Oklahoma City. In addition to Oklahoma City fire, police and emergency management, Oklahoma County Emergency Management, Canadian County Emergency Management and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) are also assisting at the command post. Oklahoma City Fire officials report the tornado touched down around 4 p.m. on Northwest 39th, just west of the Kilpatrick Turnpike. It tracked to the north, staying on the west side of the Kilpatrick Turnpike and traveling along Morgan Road to Northwest Expressway.

OHP reports damage to residences and outbuildings in eastern Canadian County near the Kilpatrick Turnpike and Wilshire Boulevard and further points north. Minor damage was sustained to the Kilpatrick Turnpike office on Northwest Expressway as well as toll booth structures and signage. Several vehicles along the Kilpatrick Turnpike sustained damage, however, no injuries reported.

Next situation update: As necessary.

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