Situation Update 4

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2007 – 9 p.m. Update #4

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 severe weather, including flash flooding.

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

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports about 1,800 power outages across the state.

OG&E has 609 customers and PSO 1,162 customers without power statewide.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter in Oklahoma City at Exchange Avenue Baptist Church, 1312 S. Pennsylvania. The shelter is for those impacted by flooding, including the 17-20 families displaced by flooding at the Pine Bluff Apartment complex in Oklahoma City. Red Cross officials are monitoring other locations with a history of flooding and stand ready to open additional shelters if necessary.

Motorists are urged to avoid driving into high water. It only takes a minimal amount of moving water for cars to be swept away and there may be unseen damage to the road. Motorists who encounter flooded roads should turn around and find an alternate route. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the nation.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following road closings:

SH-131 in Atoka County

US-60, four miles west of Bartlesville

SH-20 between US-75 and Skiatook in Tulsa/Osage counties

Two Oklahoma National Guard water trailers are in Ralston providing potable water to the Pawnee County community of 400. The trailers were delivered today after flooding caused a water main break. Guard personnel will refill the trailers as necessary. Additional bottled water is being provided by the Stillwater Wal-Mart store. Repairs to the water main are slated to begin today or tomorrow.

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

Canadian County Emergency Management reports high water caused some minor damage to a bridge on SH-4 north of Yukon.

Grady County Emergency Management reports the area received three inches of rain overnight and a few Rush Springs residents were without power for two to three hours. A tank battery fire west of Pocasset was caused by a lighting strike. Several county roads were impassable because of water. In Amber, Rush Springs and Chickasha, some trees and power lines were down.

Miami Emergency Management reports Tuesday and Wednesday they expect to see a rise in the flood stage of the Neosho River in Miami. The flood stage is 15 feet; the projected flood stage will be 20.5 feet. Officials anticipate moderate flooding of Riverview Park and SH-125.

Washington County Emergency Management reports a small downburst destroyed a business in Dewey around 10 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, a church received damage. County is experiencing some flooding.

Woodward City/County Emergency Management reports about $240,000 in combined public and private damages have occurred since Saturday. Emergency management officials continue to work with insurance adjusters to pass on specifics of the storm to assist in getting the maximum amount of assistance to residents who have filed claims. The American Red Cross Northwest Chapter is providing disaster assistance to two households (four people) who sustained extensive losses.

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports crews from Alfalfa Electric Cooperative (Cherokee), Kay Electric Cooperative, (Blackwell), and Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Hooker), continue to assist with response, recovery, and repair efforts in Greensburg, Kan. The three, four-man crews, along with digger trucks, aerial basket trucks, and other vehicles and equipment were sent to assist Ninnescah Electric Cooperative in Pratt, Kan. Ninnescah Electric Cooperative provides electric service in and around the town of Greensburg, which sustained an EF-5 tornado Friday night.

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