Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 4

March 27, 2015 - 7:10 p.m.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including 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, Oklahoma Office of Geographic Information, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Insurance Department, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.

Damage assessments in the impacted areas are ongoing.

Governor Mary Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 25 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that began Wednesday.

The counties included in the declaration are: Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Garvin, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, Murray, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Rogers, Seminole, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington, and Washita.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports one fatality attributed to the storms: a 41-year-old male in Sand Springs.

Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports 26 injuries attributed to the storms.

American Red Cross reports a shelter remains open for those displaced by Wednesday’s storms at Foundation Church, 7785 S. Highway 97 in Sapulpa. Forty-eight people stayed at the Sapulpa shelter overnight.

The Salvation Army reports a canteen (mobile feeding unit) was out overnight Thursday serving first responders, volunteers and survivors near Sand Springs in the River Oaks Mobile Home Park and continues to serve meals today. In Central Oklahoma, a catering truck is stationed in Moore to serve the affected area near Southgate-Rippetoe Elementary School.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief reports they have more than 50 trained volunteers providing assistance with chainsaw clean-up work, mud removal, roof tarping, chaplaincy counseling and other services. Storm victims may request assistance by calling (405) 4437583 or visiting www.okdisasterhelp.org.

Residents in Moore and south Oklahoma City can request assistance with debris removal, minor repairs and minor roof tarping through Serve Moore at www.servemoore.com. Those who want to volunteer with clean up efforts can also sign up on the site. Serve Moore is a collaborative effort of local churches working for renewal in Moore and the surrounding areas.

Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) reports More than 1,100 homeowners insurance claims have already been filed in relation to Wednesday’s severe weather across the state. OID has set up consumer assistance booths to help storm survivors. The booths are located at the Serve Moore Community Renewal Center, 224 S. Chestnut Ave. and the Foundation Church, 7785 S. Highway 97, Sapulpa.

Additionally, OID’s Anti-Fraud Unit has investigators deployed to Sand Springs and Moore to educate storm survivors about potential scams.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 446 power outages statewide.

OG&E - 261 outages (Moore)

PSO - 185 outages (Tulsa County)

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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