Situation Update 3

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 7, 2007 – 11 a.m.
Update #3

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) received the following damage reports related to the severe storms and tornadoes that have moved through the state since Saturday. Many areas of Oklahoma continue to be impacted by thunderstorms and flash flooding. The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated to assist local officials.

One minor injury reported in the Saturday evening tornado. The Sweetwater resident declined medical treatment.

OG&E reports 9,793 customers without power state wide. Highest outages are reported in Del City - 2,439, south Oklahoma City - 2,250 and in Checotah - 1,539. OG&E officials hope to have most power restored today.

Motorists are urged to avoid driving into high water. Cars can be swept away by two feet of moving water or there may be unseen damage to the road. Motorists who come to a flooded area should turn around and find an alternate route. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following road conditions:

SH-131 in Atoka County is closed
On SH-3 east of Atoka, eastbound lanes are closed between Saw Mill Road and Harmony Baptist Road, approximately one mile, due to flooding
US-60, four miles west of Bartlesville is closed due to high water
US-69 in Atoka County has lots of water in the road but is open

The Oklahoma National Guard is in the process of delivering two water trailers to the Town of Ralston, after flooding caused a water main break. Ralston is located in northeast Pawnee County and has a population of about 400.

The following reports were received related to the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred Sunday and today.

Kay County Emergency Management reports the creek that runs near the town of Blackwell is expected to crest three feet above flood stage late this evening or tomorrow. This may affect homes in the area.

Lincoln County Emergency Management reports there have been a few close calls with tornadoes but the rain has caused the most damage. Two County roads have washed out completely -- both are four feet deep by eight feet wide. Lots of localized road flooding as well and the lakes are full, especially Bell Cow Lake in Chandler.

McLoud Emergency Management reports local sirens were activated Sunday night due to a tornado warning. Two homes were without power over night and some debris was blown into roadways. No injuries reported.

Rogers County Emergency Management reports flooding in many areas of the county. In the Catoosa area one bridge has four feet of water over it. The 226th street bridge is closed.

Seminole County Emergency Management reports one person was briefly trapped in their trailer when it was knocked off its foundation by a tornado east of Little. Additionally, roofs were taken off two barns and power lines downed along State Highway 99A.

Woodward City/County Emergency Management reports minor flooding around Cimarron, Beaver and North Canadian rivers is causing problems in some low lying agricultural areas.

National Weather Service reports flash flooding in Tulsa left some cars stranded in high water. In Broken Arrow numerous streets are closed due to flooding. In Lexington high water near the intersection of Center and First has caused flooding in some homes.

The following reports were received related to the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred Saturday evening.

Beckham County Emergency Management reports cleanup continues in the Sweetwater area due to the tornado that occurred there Saturday evening. Local officials report the high school sustained more than $2 million in damage. A mobile home, two houses, the school’s bus barn, numerous outbuildings and vehicles were destroyed. A church also sustained minor damage. Electric and gas service has been restored to the homes and businesses that can receive power. Local officials have declared a state of emergency in Beckham County and Sweetwater.

Ellis County Emergency Management reports clean up continues at the four homes destroyed by a tornado east of State Highway 283.

Woodward City/County Emergency Management reports clean up continues at the home destroyed six miles south, one mile west of Sharon and at the three homes damaged and two barns destroyed north of Mutual and in areas west of Vici where downed power lines covered roads, including State Highway 34. Electric service has been restored to about 95 percent of those who lost power in Saturday’s storms. About 56 poles were downed, leaving an estimated $56,000 in damage to the Northwest Electric Cooperative system. Early estimates show more than $200,000 in damage to private and public property, including two county sheriff’s cruisers, one county emergency management and one OHP vehicle.

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