Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 3

April 15, 2012 3 a.m.

Due to severe weather conditions across Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating at the State EOC with the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

A line of severe thunderstorms is moving eastward across Oklahoma. This line of storms is capable of producing tornadoes, hail to quarter size and winds to 80 mph. The line should clear the eastern part of the state by late morning Sunday. The remainder of Sunday will be dry and mild for much of the state.

Woodward County Emergency Management reports a large tornado has impacted the western half of Woodward. Significant damage and injuries have been reported. Search and rescue is underway. Beaver, Texas, Ellis, Custer and Woods counties are sending ambulances, rescue teams and other personnel to assist. Earlier today, numerous tornadoes touched down within Woodward County as well. Damage assessments are ongoing at this time and more information will be forthcoming.

Ellis County Emergency Management reports tornado damage to several homes northeast of Arnett.

Alfalfa County Emergency Management reports damage to trees and power lines in Ingersoll as well as damage to five travel trailers in Dacoma from storms Saturday evening. Emergency Management is assessing other possible damage in those areas. No injuries have been reported.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that teams assisted State Park Rangers and the City of Waynoka with notifications and evacuations of the Waynoka Snake Hunt, Waynoka Sand Dunes, and the City of Waynoka Saturday evening. Troopers worked to assess damage and notify motorists caught on the roadway and coverage for the Waynoka area to assist with evacuations until the tornado tracked to the north side of the Cimarron River.

The American Red Cross will open a shelter in Woodward at 3 a.m. at the Living Word Fellowship at 1310 Oklahoma Avenue in Woodward.

The American Red Cross shelter is still open in Norman, Oklahoma at St. Stephens United Methodist Church at 1801 W. Brooks for those displaced by Friday’s storms. Approximately 19 people were residing in the shelter this evening.

Anyone wishing to check on the status of a loved one who may be staying at the shelter is encouraged to go online to www.safeandwell.org.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 8,507 customers without power caused by severe weather including:

OG&E

Ada: 433

Dacoma: 143

Norman:1317

Oklahoma City: 165

Shattuck: 1852

Woodward: 4597

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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