NEWS RELEASE

Office of Governor Brad Henry
State of Oklahoma
State Capitol – Oklahoma City OK 73105
405-521-2342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 23, 2009

Oklahoma City – Gov. Brad Henry late today announced that the White House approved federal disaster assistance to help Beaver, Ellis, Woods, and Woodward counties with response costs associated with the March 27-28 snow storm.

However, the announcement falls short of the Governor's request for a major disaster declaration to cover both response and recovery costs for all 11 counties hard hit by the storm.

On May 7, the Governor requested federal disaster assistance to help municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storm.

He requested the aid for Alfalfa, Beaver, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Grant, Harper, Kay, Texas, Woods and Woodward counties. In these counties alone, the storm resulted in an estimated $5.8 million in infrastructure damage and response costs.

State emergency management officials continue to work with FEMA regarding the original request for aid.

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