Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2009 – 9:30 a.m. – Situation Update 3

Due to the severe weather, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Level Two activation, which involves extended operating hours for key personnel. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas.

Additionally, OEM is in constant contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has a FEMA Operations Officer located in the State EOC. Federal/State Damage Assessment Teams remain on standby until local and state officials secure the affected areas.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol remains on the scene, in Lone Grove, helping local law enforcement secure the damaged area. National Guard troops are being mobilized to assist in the security mission.

A strong storm system moved into Oklahoma today and combined with unseasonable warmth and moisture to produce widespread severe thunderstorms. The storms developed early afternoon across southwest and central Oklahoma. At least three tornadoes were confirmed with these storms, impacting Edmond, Pawnee and Lone Grove.

8 fatalities reported in Lone Grove

14 serious injuries reported in Lone Grove

3 minor injuries reported in Oklahoma City – EMSA reports all were treated at the scene for debris and broken glass injuries in the NW Expressway and Rockwell area.

About 6,000 OG&E customers are without power, including 3,461 in Lone Grove.

Shelters and Other Assistance

American Red Cross has opened shelters at:

Heritage Hall Center, on West Broadway, in downtown Ardmore

Waterloo Baptist Church at 3100 E. Waterloo, in Edmond

Messiah Lutheran Church at 3600 NW Expressway, in Oklahoma City.

Salvation Army reports they have 2 canteens at NW Expressway and Rockwell, in Oklahoma City, 1 in Lone Grove and 1 in Perkins.

Baptist Disaster Relief is responding to Lone Grove to assist with feeding and emotional care.

Lone Grove Emergency Management reports tornado made direct hit on mobile home park with approximately 60 trailers. Additional damages are currently being assessed.

Logan County Emergency Management reports 20 homes were damaged -- 16 are in the Oak Cliff Fire District and 4 are near the intersection of Highway 105 and Henney, east of Guthrie. No reports of injuries. Initial damage assessments begin tomorrow morning.

Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports Oklahoma Department of Transportation maintenance facility two miles east of Tecumseh on Highway 9 was damaged.

Jefferson County Emergency Management reports they are providing mutual aid to Lone Grove along with fire, law enforcement and emergency management officials from Waurika and Ringling.

Wilson Emergency Management reports 1 house damaged.

Edmond Emergency Management reports 6 homes destroyed near Oak Tree country club.

Oklahoma City Emergency Management reports damage due to a possible tornado at NW Expressway and Rockwell in Oklahoma City. There is damage to businesses, homes and apartments and power lines are down.

Coal County Emergency Management reports 2 mobile homes overturned and oil field equipment damaged, near Wardville.

Love County Emergency Management reports 2 homes with major damage.

National Weather Service confirms tornadoes touched down in Edmond, Pawnee and Lone Grove. Additionally, baseball size hail was reported in Yukon and Guthrie.

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