Oklahoma City – Gov. Brad Henry announced today that the White House has approved his request for disaster assistance to individuals in three Oklahoma counties hit hard by deadly tornadoes last week.

The approval for individual assistance in Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties comes in the wake of Feb. 10 storms that killed eight people and injured dozens of others. More than 300 homes and businesses statewide were damaged and destroyed by the twisters.

The governor delivered the state’s disaster request to Washington, DC late Friday.

“I am extremely pleased that President Obama moved quickly to deliver aid to Oklahoma storm victims,” Gov. Henry said. “This assistance will be a great help to Oklahoma families as they try to put their lives back in order.”

The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

Gov. Henry said he anticipates the state will also seek public assistance once a sufficient number of damage surveys are completed. Public assistance provides aid to state and local governments for infrastructure repairs and other disaster costs.

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