Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 5

May 26, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.

The State Emergency Operations Center has returned to normal operations. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and continues to coordinate the delivery of any needed resources with the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

The State of Emergency remains in effect for 68 Oklahoma counties. Governor Mary Fallin issued the executive order due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that began Tuesday.  Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The counties included in the declaration are: Adair, Alfalfa, Atoka, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Creek, Custer, Delaware, Dewey, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Haskell, Hughes, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Latimer, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, Mayes, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tillman, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington, Washita, Woods and Woodward.

These Oklahoma counties were east of a dry-line and in an area which experienced tornadoes, straight line winds, damaging hail and flooding. 

The following 10 fatalities are attributed to the tornadoes and severe storms, according to the Oklahoma State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In addition to the age and gender, the location where the victim was found is included for each of the fatalities. The Medical Examiner is working to determine cause and manner of death on the victims.

16 month old boy – Piedmont

3 year old boy – Piedmont

Unidentified female – Calumet

Unidentified female – Calumet

Unidentified male – Calumet

Unidentified male – Calumet

63 year old male – Cashion

58 year old female – Cashion

24 year old female – Chickasha

22 year old male – Calumet

238 injuries are attributed to the storm, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Initial reports identify more than 600 homes and businesses damaged by Tuesday’s tornadoes. This number may increase after a more comprehensive damage assessment begins on Friday when the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration join local emergency managers in conducting damage assessments for potential federal disaster assistance in the counties affected by this week’s tornadoes. The teams will work to determine the unmet financial needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department recommends taking the following steps after your property has been damaged by a tornado or other severe weather:

• Survey the damage and take pictures.
• Protect property from further loss or damage. Make temporary repairs and keep receipts for all materials and labor.
• Make a list of all personal property destroyed or damaged. Note the approximate date, price, and place of purchase and attach any sales receipts you may have.
• Contact your insurance company. Keep a record of the name of each person you talk to as well as the time and date of the call.
• Your insurance company will send an adjuster to your property. Ask the adjuster for identification and please remember that your insurance company pays the adjusters so you should not be asked for payment.
• If your home is uninhabitable, ask your insurance company if your policy covers any additional living expenses until repairs are made, such as lodging, food and clothing.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reminds Oklahomans to have a plan for sheltering in place regarding severe weather. Installing a residential safe room or storm shelter marks the ultimate in preparedness steps Oklahomans can take. Following the 1999 and 2003 tornado outbreaks, OEM worked with FEMA to help fund nearly 10,000 safe rooms across the state through a safe room rebate program. Since that time federal regulations have changed that keep an identical program from being utilized today. However, OEM continues to work with local and federal partners to try to develop new safe room program opportunities.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports about 5,305 homes and business are without electric service due to the storm, including the following.

PSO reports 71 customers without power.

OG&E reports 4,535 customers without service (including 2,729 in the Oklahoma City metro area).

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) reports about 699 customers are without power in the following service areas:

Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation, Ozark

Caddo Electric Cooperative, Binger

Cimarron Electric Cooperative, Kingfisher

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Vinita

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Norman

Rural Electric Cooperative, Lindsay

The American Red Cross continues to operate the following shelters for those displaced by the storm:

Kansas – Kansas High School Gym – 700 N Woods Avenue

Newcastle – Newcastle Storm Shelter – 851 N. Carr

Piedmont – First Baptist Church – 15 Jackson Avenue NW

Vinita – First Christian Church – 226 W. Canadian

Shelter services are also available at the Salvation Army in El Reno at 201 S. Bickford

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has initiated immediate activation of their Disaster Relief Plan for residential and business customers impacted by the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. This plan allows AT&T customers to waive various fees relating to their phone service. The Disaster Relief Plan is activated statewide in Oklahoma for AT&T retail customers who have been impacted by the recent tornadoes.

The Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy reports, based upon the declarations of Governor Mary Fallin, the emergency/disaster rules of the Board of Pharmacy are in effect for those in areas affected by the recent storms. These rules include the ability of a pharmacy to fill prescriptions for patients affected by the emergency/disaster to have a prescription filled for up to a 30-day supply of non-controlled medication even if the pharmacy is unable to contact the physician due to the emergency situation. Controlled drugs (such as hydrocodone and alprazolam), are subject to different rules based upon DEA and OBN declarations. Pharmacists must use professional judgment in these situations to help patients continue their medication treatments during emergency/disaster situations.

Temperatures will warm over the weekend with hot temperatures likely in far western Oklahoma and the panhandle. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms across central and eastern Oklahoma with large hail the primary concern. Fire danger continues in the west where drought conditions prevail and are likely to continue the next few weeks.

Oklahoma’s price gouging statute is in effect in those counties where the State of Emergency is declared. The price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services when a State of Emergency has been declared. Anyone who suspects price gouging is urged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029.

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.

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Next Situation Update: As conditions warrant