Ice Storm Response/Recovery Efforts Continue

Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Situation Update 25

12-19-07, 3 p.m.

The number of Ice Storm-related fatalities remains 27, according to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office.

• 16 died in motor vehicle accidents
• 8 died in house fires
• 2 died of carbon monoxide poisoning
• 1 died of hypothermia

A Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative lineman injured last week remains in a Tulsa hospital.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports statewide 32,101 homes and businesses are without electric service.

AEP-PSO reports 2,055 customers without power, including 2,000 in the Tulsa metro area.

OG&E reports 26,460 customers without power, including 25,483 in the Oklahoma City metro area and 552 in Sapulpa.

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports 3,036 rural electric customers without power including 2,800 Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative customers. OAEC also reports 3,877 poles destroyed by the ice storm.

Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma reports about 550 customers without power in Cushing, Miami and Skiatook.

Dry and mild conditions will continue across the state through Friday afternoon. Later Friday into Saturday a storm system will move across the state bringing a chance of rain for much of the state and snow for northern Oklahoma. Temperatures will turn colder late Saturday through Sunday.

A federal major disaster declaration delivering public assistance related to last week’s ice storm remains in effect for seven Oklahoma counties. The declaration means assistance is available for cities, towns and counties for expenses related to infrastructure damage including roads, bridges and public facilities, as well as the cost of debris removal. Counties now covered are Cleveland, Lincoln, Mayes, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, Tulsa and Wagoner. As additional damage assessments are completed, by the end of the week, more counties will be requested to receive public assistance.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to build the state’s case for an anticipated request to the President for Individual Assistance. Residents and business owners who have uninsured ice storm damages are urged to call the toll-free Oklahoma Damage Assessment Hotline (866) 560-7584 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

Since opening last week, the hotline has taken more than 6,500 damage reports. This is not a FEMA application line.

Officials in Tulsa and Oklahoma City are operating toll-free numbers for homeowners to call if they need repairs to electrical meter boxes damaged due to the ice storm. In Oklahoma City the number is (800) 627-3464. In Tulsa the number is (866) 789-8898.

Shelters are open at the following eight locations.

Beggs – First Baptist Church, 110 W. Fifth

Bristow – Bristow Indian Community Center, 710 S. Main

Bristow – First Baptist Church

Oklahoma City – Cox Center

Sapulpa – Sapulpa Indian Community, 1020 N. Brown

Tryon – First Baptist Church

Tulsa – Tulsa Indian Community, 8611 S. Union

Tulsa – Crosstown Church of Christ, 3400 E. Admiral Place

About 700 individuals stayed at shelters statewide Tuesday night. In addition to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Men’s Relief Effort served meals at many of the shelters.

Oklahoma’s price gouging statute is in effect in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties due to the State of Emergency. The price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services when a State of Emergency has been declared. Anyone who suspects price gouging is taking place, is urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029. Investigators will look into all price gouging reports received.

Oklahoma 211 continues to receive calls from Oklahomans impacted by the Ice Storm. 211 is for anyone seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone in the following areas.

Tulsa Area/Green Country, dial 2-1-1 or 918-836-4357

OKC Metro/Central OK, dial 2-1-1 or 405-286-4057

Southeastern OK, dial 2-1-1 or 580-332-0558

Northeast OK, dial 2-1-1 or 918-336-2255

Southwest OK, dial 2-1-1 or 580-355-7575

Due to high call volumes, callers may receive a busy signal when calling 2-1-1. Call specialists are available 24/7, so please continue to call 2-1-1 for disaster related information.

###