Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2008 – 9:30 p.m. – Situation Update 3

Oklahoma communities continue to be impacted by the severe weather system that moved through the state last night and this morning.

Injuries were reported in Muldrow following the storm that moved through the area Wednesday night.

On Wednesday, a 62-year-old woman died when her vehicle hydroplaned on US-62 near Apache, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). OHP also worked numerous injury accidents. Troopers advise some roadways remain flooded and urge motorists to drive for the conditions.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel continue to assist local officials in the hardest hit areas. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oklahoma Corporation Commission and OHP are also assisting the impacted communities.

Tomorrow, preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) will be completed in Muldrow where approximately 200 homes and businesses were damaged. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and OEM will join the local emergency manager in conducting the PDAs. They will work to determine the unmet financial needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage. PDAs may be conducted in other areas of the state as additional damage reports are received.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports the storm system caused damage to transmission lines and substations in eastern Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports power has been restored to all structures that can safely receive electricity.

OG&E reports approximately 2,700 customers are without power. About 300 are in the Muldrow area. The rest are scattered outages in eastern Oklahoma.

PSO reports about 700 homes and businesses are without electric service.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports highways remain closed in some areas of the state due high water. For a current list of highway closings, go to www.okladot.state.ok.us. Information regarding Oklahoma road conditions is also available by calling 888-425-2385. Road condition information for Texas is available at 800-452-9292 and for Arkansas call 800-245-1672.

Atoka County Emergency Management reports heavy damage to county roads. In Atoka, one mobile home was destroyed. The American Red Cross is assisting the property owner. Damage to outbuildings and barns also reported.

Coal County Emergency Management reports roads are washed out and 8 to 10 tinhorns need to be replaced along with gravel which was washed away due to high water.

Haskell County Emergency Management reports roof damage at Kinta School as well as damage to barns and outbuildings. Roads have also sustained some damage due to the flooding. One house was destroyed when struck by lightning. Damage assessments continue in many areas of the county.

Hughes County Emergency Management reports two bridges are out. One house sustained roof damage and another shifted on its foundation. Additionally, windows were blown out of numerous structures. Other damage in the county is still being assessed.

Kiowa County Emergency Management reports roads remain closed due to flooding along Rainey Mountain Creek. No reports of major damage at this time.

Latimer County Emergency Management reports extensive flooding in county. A few homes sustained roof damage.

LeFlore County Emergency Management reports extensive damage in the Town of Arkoma, where nearly every home and business has broken windows due to golf ball or larger size hail.

Logan County Emergency Management reports significant flooding in Guthrie.

Love County Emergency Management reports damage assessments are underway.

Marshall County Emergency Management reports homes sustained roof damage and oil derricks were twisted. No flooding reported at this time.

McIntosh County Emergency Management reports assessments underway to identify damage in the Town of Hanna. Several reports of damage to mobile homes in the area and some roads remain flooded.

Pittsburg County Emergency Management reports extensive damage in McAlester and to county roads and bridges. Some of the canals in McAlester have collapsed. A few homes have roof and water damage.

Pontotoc County Emergency Management reports minor wind damage to one home in the community of Lula, hail damage to four homes in the Francis area where golf-ball size hail fell.

Major flooding of creeks and streams continues in the northwest quarter of the county. Many county roads are closed due to high water.

Seminole County Emergency Management reports damage from flooding. In Seminole there is minor tree and roof damage.

Sequoyah County Emergency Management reports damage assessments continue in Muldrow and other areas hard hit by the severe weather.

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