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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2, 2010

Oklahoma City - Gov. Brad Henry announced today that the White House has denied his request for disaster assistance for Oklahoma County residents impacted by the June 13, 2010 deadly flooding and severe storms.

An especially difficult storm recovery continues for many Oklahomans because only two percent of the structures damaged by the flooding were insured through the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance.  The primary reason for the low insurance coverage is most of the homes that sustained damage are located outside an identified flood zone.

Today’s word from the White House means FEMA’s grant programs are not available; however, the State continues to work with Oklahoma City on other means of assistance including the possibility of Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans to those impacted by the June storms.

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