Office of Governor Brad Henry
State of Oklahoma
State Capitol – Oklahoma City OK 73105

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 8/3/2007

Oklahoma City – Gov. Brad Henry announced today that federal authorities have approved 15 more Oklahoma counties for individual assistance related to recent flooding and severe weather. The counties are Blaine, Bryan, Canadian, Cleveland, Cotton, Grady, Kiowa, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Rogers, Seminole and Stephens.

Federal officials have now approved individual assistance for a total of 20 counties across the state. Comanche, Nowata, Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Washington counties were declared for individual assistance last month.

“This designation will provide much-needed help to hard-hit areas across the state,” said Gov. Henry. “We are still compiling damage assessments and can seek additional aid based on those efforts. The bottom line is we will push for as much federal aid as possible to help Oklahomans rebuild and recover.”

Citizens in the eligible counties can now apply for federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs. Low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property.

The Governor has also requested individual assistance for Lincoln County. Emergency management officials will continue to survey damages there and in other counties in hopes of bringing additional federal aid to those areas at a later date.

Gov. Henry has also asked the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to deliver federal aid to impacted farmers and ranchers statewide.

Anyone impacted by the floods and severe weather is urged to call the FEMA tele-registration number and report their damages. Call 1-800-621-FEMA, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Today’s announcement comes as Oklahomans continue to await word on the Governor’s request for public assistance for 17 counties that was made three weeks ago. Public assistance is needed to help cities, towns and counties repair damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

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