Gov. Mary Fallin Requests Federal Assistance for Four Counties in Wake of Wildfires

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today requested federal disaster aid for Oklahomans impacted by recent wildfires. If approved, the request would deliver individual assistance to residents and business owners in Cleveland, Creek, Oklahoma and Payne counties.

Nearly 680 homes and businesses were damaged beginning July 28 as fires burned more than 114,000 acres across the state. This includes 603 homes that were destroyed. An estimated 85 percent of the homes damaged or destroyed were not insured.

“Thousands of acres have burned and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in recent weeks as Oklahoma has been hard hit by wildfires,” Fallin said.  “If approved, the federal assistance will help residents and business owners get back on their feet.”

If the request for individual assistance is granted, Oklahomans who suffered uninsured or under insured fire damage in the four counties would be eligible for assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

Additional counties may be added to the request at a later date should conditions warrant.

A State of Emergency remains in place for all 77 Oklahoma counties as declared on July 30 by Governor Fallin due to extreme or exceptional drought conditions. The State of Emergency lasts for 30 days.

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