Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 4

April 15, 2012 9:45 p.m.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel remain in the field, assisting local jurisdictions in areas affected by the recent tornado outbreaks.

Governor Mary Fallin today declared a state of emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties hit hard by the tornadoes and other severe weather. The declaration is the first step toward seeking possible federal assistance. The counties included in the state of emergency are: Alfalfa, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Ellis, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Logan, Oklahoma, Woods and Woodward. More counties could be added as needed.

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner reports 5 fatalities related to the storm.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 31 individuals have been treated for storm related injuries in Woodward.

On Monday, specialists with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will join local emergency managers in conducting preliminary damage assessments for potential federal disaster assistance in 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 Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reports earlier today that local DEQ personnel began damage assessment of 11 water and wastewater facilities in NW OK, including Woodward.

Cherokee County/Tahlequah Emergency Management reports minor home damage and damage to trees and power lines from Sunday morning’s storms.

Adair County Emergency Management reports one trailer was destroyed when a possible tornado touched down early Sunday morning.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports about 4427 outages related to recent storms including the following:

OG&E:

Woodward – 603

Norman – 824

OAEC:

Woodward, Fargo, Tangier, Arnett area – 3,000

An American Red Cross shelter remains open in Woodward at the Living Word Fellowship at 1310 Oklahoma Avenue. Health Services and Disaster Mental Health personnel are on hand to assist.

The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are coordinating mass feeding in Woodward for those impacted by the storms.

The United Methodists of Oklahoma are utilizing local United Methodist leadership to assist with damage assessments in Woodward.  Additionally, the United Methodists are assisting neighborhoods as needed.  

The American Red Cross shelter in Norman also remains open at St. Stephens United Methodist Church at 1801 W. Brooks for those displaced by Friday’s storms.

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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