Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 5

June 4, 2013 – 8:50 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.

The National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office today announced that the tornado that hit El Reno on May 31, 2013 is officially the widest tornado in U.S. history at 2.6 miles with maximum wind speeds well over 200 mph, making it an EF-5. This was the second EF-5 tornado in Oklahoma in less than two weeks.

Additional rain is expected tonight through Thursday. A Flash Flood Watch is posted for central Oklahoma through Thursday.

Governor Mary Fallin amended her state of emergency to include 25 additional counties impacted by the latest round of severe weather that began on May 29. The declaration marks the first step toward seeking federal assistance.

The 41 counties now included in the state of emergency are: Adair, Caddo, Canadian, Cherokee, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Hughes, Kingfisher, Kiowa,  Le Flore, Lincoln, Logan, Mayes, McClain,  McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.

Damage sustained from the tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, damaging hail and severe storms that began on May 29 is not included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration already in place from storms earlier in May. However, anyone impacted by these latest storms may report their damage by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. This will help OEM and FEMA ensure all areas of damage from this latest round of storms are identified and documented and will help bolster the case for a new disaster declaration.

When individuals and business owners provide details of severe storm damage to FEMA, that information will be recorded and stored where it will be easily available if a  disaster is declared for storms beginning May 29. Callers will receive a letter from FEMA within 10 business days verifying that their information has been processed.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms 19 fatalities from Friday night’s storms. The victims include 6 children and 13 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.

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management continue to assess damage in the counties affected by the latest round of severe storms in order to determine the unmet financial needs of those whose homes and businesses sustained damage. Assessments are ongoing.

A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) opened today as a one-stop resource center for those impacted by the recent tornadoes, flooding, straight line winds and severe storms. American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, other volunteer agencies, churches, and community organizations are available at this location with resources and information available to aid in recovery. The center is located at Jenks Simmons Field House at 211 N Country Club Road in El Reno. The hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The American Red Cross reports the following shelters remain open:

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

El Reno -- Baptist Collegiate Ministry, 1300 Country Club Road, El Reno

Midwest City -- Douglas Boulevard Methodist Church, 208 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City

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

Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City

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

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

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

Additionally, drivers are asked to be alert and not cause unnecessary congestion on I-35 in Moore and SH-66 in El Reno as tornado relief work continues. However, all lanes are open in these areas.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation cleanup work and repair of damaged signs, cable barrier, fence and eroded areas will continue through the coming weeks.

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

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 5,000 homes and businesses without electric service.

OG&E

Total – 4,966

Ardmore: 144

Bethany: 322

Coyle: 62

El Reno: 408

Midwest City: 60

Moore: 628

Mustang: 329

Norman: 398

OKC E: 130

OKC N: 558

OKC W: 1,024

OKC S: Unknown

Valley Brook: 158

Yukon: 91

Cotton Electric

Total: 12

Comanche County

PSO:

Total: 36

SW Tulsa

Cox Telephone reports outage at approximately 5,200.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) is offering free bacterial testing of water from private wells that may have been contaminated by flood waters. The free testing is available to anyone in Oklahoma City-County who suspects that flood waters may have inundated a wellhead or infiltrated well water.

Water testing kits are available at the OCCHD 921 NE 23rd Street location. The laboratory is located in room 105 and is open Monday-Thursday 7:00-5:30.  Water well testing requires that you use a sterile container (provided by OCCHD) and that you appropriately collect 100 milliliters of water.  Bring the sample to the lab within 24 hours of collection.  Results will be available 48 hours after receipt and you will be notified by phone with positive results. For questions concerning water testing, contact the laboratory at 405-425-4340.

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