Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 6

June 5, 2013 – 6:30 p.m.

Oklahoma continues to deal with the impacts of a deadly severe weather system that, since Wednesday, has brought tornadoes, including a record breaking EF-5 tornado, 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: Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, 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.

In some areas Oklahoma experienced additional flooding due to heavy rain overnight and this morning. Rain is expected to continue tonight through Thursday. A Flash Flood Watch remains posted for central Oklahoma through Thursday.

A State of Emergency, as declared by Governor Mary Fallin, remains in effect for 41 counties impacted by severe weather that began on May 18. The counties 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 20 fatalities from Friday night’s storms. The victims include 7 children and 13 adults. Eight victims remain unidentified at this time. In addition to the age and gender, the location where the victim was found is included for each of the fatalities.

67-year-old male, Union City

55-year-old male, El Reno

45-year-old male, El Reno

35-year-old male, El Reno

26-year-old female, Oklahoma City

1-year-old boy, Oklahoma City

3-year-old boy, Oklahoma City

32-year-old male, Union City

24-year-old male, El Reno

Unidentified female adult, Oklahoma City

Unidentified male adult, Oklahoma City

Unidentified male child, Oklahoma City

Unidentified male child, Oklahoma City

Unidentified male child, Oklahoma City

Unidentified female child, Oklahoma City

Unidentified male adult, Oklahoma City

65-year-old male, Luther

40-year-old female, Wewoka

79-year-old female, Clearview

Unidentified female child, Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 121 injuries were treated by Oklahoma City area hospitals as a result of Friday’s storms.

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) is open in El Reno 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. The shelters housed 126 people overnight.

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, Leflore and Okfuskee counties. US-62 (NE 23rd Street) is narrowed to one lane each direction in Midwest City between Sooner Road and Air Depot Blvd. until further notice due to damage from high water. Drivers are cautioned to heed warning signs and not drive around barricades.

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 10,300 homes and businesses without electric service.

OG&E

Total Statewide: 10, 318

OKC Metro Total: 9,624

Bethany: 279

El Reno: 409

Enid: 152

Moore: 743

Mustang: 204

OKC E: 90

OKC N: 518

OKC S Central: 5,024

OKC W: 1,322

Ringwood: 237

Valley Brook: 103

War Acres: 94

Washington: 305

Yukon: 838

OG&E has established three “walk up” stations in southwest Oklahoma City where people can meet personally with OG&E representatives regarding any concerns or questions they may have:

• Food Mart at SW 36th Street and S. Pennsylvania Avenue
• Chase Bank at I-240 and S. Pennsylvania Avenue
• SW 59th Street and S. Pennsylvania Avenue

DEQ is offering free bacterial testing of private well water for those impacted by the recent disasters. Affected counties include: 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.

If your property was affected by the recent disasters, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recommends that you disinfect your well. Instructions on disinfection are available at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/disaster/dsinfctwtr.pdf.

If you choose to test your well, call 1-800-522-0206 to request a sample container and instruction on sampling. Additional information is available at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/csdnew/.

The best way to support survivors of severe storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma is by donating financial contributions to reputable voluntary organizations. At this time, cash is the most effective means of showing support. Cash donations allow nonprofit organizations to purchase what disaster survivors need. Buying from local businesses helps the economy recover.

Donations of used clothing, miscellaneous household items and mixed or perishable foodstuffs must be sorted, packaged, transported, warehoused and distributed. These tasks require disaster relief agencies to divert resources away from providing services, while the donated items may not meet disaster survivor needs.

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