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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 29, 2010

Oklahoma City – Gov. Henry today asked the White House to approve an emergency disaster declaration request for all 77 Oklahoma counties due to the severe winter storm.

If approved, state and local governments will receive reimbursement for expenses associated with responding to the storm. Eligible expenses could include personnel overtime costs as well as costs associated with operating shelters and clearing snow and ice covered roads. The declaration would also cover the use of industrial size generators and bottled water, federal resources secured through FEMA.

Once damage assessment teams can survey the impacted area, additional federal assistance may be requested to aid local and state government recovery efforts.

“Many areas of the state have been hard hit by the winter storm and federal aid will play a key role in the recovery process,” said Gov. Henry.  “Oklahoma state troopers, emergency management authorities, road and power crews and other first responders are doing a great job responding to the storm, but our work is far from over.  I continue to urge Oklahomans to stay aware of the weather conditions and avoid taking any unnecessary risks.”

Oklahoma remains under a statewide declaration of emergency issued by Gov. Henry Wednesday.