Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 3

June 2, 2013 – 5:45 p.m.

Oklahoma continues to deal with the impacts of a deadly severe weather system that, since Wednesday, has brought tornadoes, destructive hail, destructive wind and flash flooding.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas across the state. OEM continues to coordinate recovery efforts with the following agencies and organizations: the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms 13 fatalities from Friday night’s storms. The victims include 4 children and 9 adults. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 115 injuries were treated by Oklahoma City area hospitals as a result of Friday’s storms. The injuries include 59 cut/pierce, 16 struck by/against, 20 falls and 20 transportation-related.

On Monday, officials with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will join local emergency managers in conducting damage assessments for potential federal disaster assistance in the counties affected by this week’s storms. The teams will work to determine the unmet financial needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage.

The American Red Cross reports the following shelters remain open:

Dewar -- First Baptist Church, 507 W. Sixth Street, Dewar

Edmond -- Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E. Memorial Road, Edmond

El Reno -- Redlands Community College, 1300 S. Country Club Road, El Reno

Midwest City -- Midwest City Community Center, 100 N. Midwest Blvd., Midwest City

Moore -- Moore Community Center, 301 S. Howard Ave., Moore

Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City and Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 2727 SW 119 Street, Oklahoma City

Norman -- Walker Center Dormitory, 1400 Asp Ave, Norman

Shawnee -- St. Gregory’s University, 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee

The Salvation Army reports they have mobilized and have relief efforts in the affect areas.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma Department of Transportation report numerous roads remain closed today. Drivers are cautioned to heed warning signs and not drive around barricades.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS, call the Department of Public Safety's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 888-425-2385. 

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 29,727 homes and businesses without electric service.

OG&E reports 80 percent of storm assessment completed. More than 400 mutual aid crews have provided assistance.

OG&E reports 

Total – all OKC metro: 27,710

Bethany: 569

Choctaw: 111

Del City: 449

El Reno: 735

Meeker: 64

Midwest City: 3,003

Moore: 4,118

Mustang: 323

Norman: 2,546

OKC E: 900

OKC N: 6,109

OKC S: 1,311

OKC W: 4,003

Shawnee: 183

Spencer: 432

Valley Brook: 176

Yukon: 3,336

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

Restoration complete to all residential customers who can receive service.

Seven non-residential accounts in the Norman area remain without power.

Caddo Electric

Restoration complete to all but 4 residential customers who can receive service.

Rebuilding of lines underway to restore service to remaining customers.

Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative

6 customers without power in the Wetumka area

Current forecast shows showers and thunderstorms expected across Oklahoma Tuesday through Sunday.  Significant severe weather is not expected, although a few marginally severe thunderstorms may occur. The more likely threat will be rainfall and potential flooding over areas that received rainfall the past few weeks. Temperatures will be near normal for early June. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 marked the beginning of multiple severe weather episodes as a storm system delivered at least 13 tornadoes, with one rated EF-3, according to preliminary damage assessments by the National Weather Service.  Additional information and rankings will be released during the next few days. High winds and hail to baseball size was also reported with the storm, causing downed power lines and tree limbs. Widespread rainfall of 1-2 inches was measured as the storms moved across the state.

Thursday, May 30, 2013, saw a continuation of severe weather across Oklahoma.  Storms developed along State Highway 81 during the mid-afternoon hours and progressed east across central and eastern Oklahoma.  Six tornadoes were reported this day, with the most significant impacting Broken Arrow.  This tornado was rated an EF-2.  The tornado near Mazie in Mayes County was rated an EF-0, and the tornado near Murphy was rated an EF-1. Additionally, some areas saw destructive hail. Rainfall of 1-2 inches was common in southeast Oklahoma. 

Friday, May 31, 2013, marked the most widespread and significant as a line of supercells formed in western Oklahoma before moving east and southeast across central Oklahoma.  Later the storms moved into east-central and southeast sections. Damage assessments are ongoing, but currently the National Weather Service has confirmed five tornadoes in the Oklahoma City metro area and another three tornadoes in northeast Oklahoma.  The El Reno tornado has a preliminary rating of EF-3.  The tornado that moved over Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has been rated an EF-1 with a track of 10.4 miles and 1.4 miles wide. Another EF-1 tornado hit in southwest Oklahoma City with a track length of 0.4 miles. In addition to the tornado outbreak, flash flooding occurred across a large part of central and eastern Oklahoma.  In Oklahoma City, numerous streets were flooded, requiring several high water rescues the evening of May 31 to June 1, 2013.

Canadian County Emergency Management reports damage to the Stockyards City area and specifically, OKC West Livestock Market. Several homes and mobile homes are also reported damaged.

The Canadian Valley Technology Center took a direct hit from a tornado on Friday. Students in class at the technology center rode out the storm in an underground shelter.

Midwest City Emergency Management reports that 195 people were rescued from a mobile home park Saturday. The 23 Street and Air Depot Road washout continued to expand through the day Saturday, causing a 3"pipe carrying Crude Oil at a rate of 5 gallons per minute to break and wash the oil into the Canadian River. These roads will be closed while repairs are being made.

Okfuskee County Emergency Management reports that 20 people were evacuated from Weleetka on Saturday due to flooding. Emergency Management and the American Red Cross worked together to deliver shelter and food. Additionally, several roadways and bridges have damage from flooding. 

Oklahoma City Emergency Management reports many buildings in low lying areas flooded. Several municipal buildings were impacted by high water including 100 N Walker, Chesapeake Arena, Municipal Courts, Cox Convention Center and Will Rogers World Airport. Power outages and phone outages were a problem throughout the day on Saturday.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management reports approximately 25 homes and one nursing home were evacuated in Henryetta. Dewar had more than 50 homes affected by the flooding which were not accessible. Water rescues took place in both communities. Many roads were barricaded due to high water.

Wagoner County Emergency Management reports multiple businesses and houses damaged by a tornado Thursday night.

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