NEWS RELEASE

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2010

Oklahoma City – State officials declared a state of emergency late Friday in all 77 of Oklahoma’s counties in preparation for a blizzard forecast in Oklahoma expected to bring snow and frigid temperatures to much of the state, as well as the potential for ice or flooding in some areas.

At the request of Gov. Henry, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins approved the paperwork declaring the emergency.

The declaration provides a formal mechanism for local governments to seek reimbursement for recovery costs through the state’s disaster public assistance program should conditions warrant. The executive order is also the first step toward seeking federal aid should it be necessary.

Gov. Henry is on a family trip to Colorado and is returning to the state on Saturday.

The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

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