Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 2

May 7, 2015 - 4:45 p.m.

Due to severe weather conditions across Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with numerous agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma National Guard, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Office of Geographic Information, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and Civil Air Patrol.

Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that began Wednesday. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The counties included in the declaration are: Alfalfa, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Dewey, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Major, McClain and Oklahoma. Additional counties may be added.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports one fatality attributed to the storms. A 43-year-old female in Oklahoma City was found dead in her cellar.

Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports 30 injuries attributed to the storms.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports State Highway 48 in Hughes County is closed two miles north of SH-9 due to high water. Traffic is detoured to SH-56 and SH-99A.

American Red Cross has opened two shelters for residents displaced by Wednesday’s storms. Thirty people stayed at the Oklahoma City shelter last night.

• Santa María Virgen Episcopal Church, 5500 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City (English and Spanish)
• Heritage Family Baptist Church, 600 N. Mustang Road (or 600 N. State Highway 4) in Tuttle

The Salvation Army reports a mobile feeding unit (canteen) is on site in southeast Oklahoma City. The canteen will be in and around the neighborhoods at S.E. 55th Street and I-35 in Oklahoma City to serve first responders and those affected by the tornado.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has chainsaw teams assisting in Bridge Creek. Storm victims may request assistance by calling (405) 443-7583 or visiting www.okdisasterhelp.org.

Oklahoma City Animal Welfare has a shelter for pets at the Red Cross shelter in Oklahoma City. Services, including veterinary care, are available.

McClain County Animal Response Team is assisting with animals displaced by the storms in Grady County.

Grady County Emergency Management reports damage assessments are ongoing.

Norman Emergency Management reports vehicles submerged in the Canadian River and Little River.

Oklahoma City Emergency Management reports the most significant damage from tornadoes and damaging winds is near I-35 and SE 44th Street. Emergency responders reported heavy damage at a hotel and recreational vehicle park in the area. Heavy rain and flooding caused damage to the terminal building at Will Rogers World Airport, but the flooding is not expected to have a major impact on operations.

Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports water overflowing the spillway at Granada Estates Lake.

Damage assessments in all impacted areas are ongoing.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports more than 9,000 power outages statewide.

OG&E - 5,553 outages total

• Cushing – 326
• Del City – 258
• Midwest City – 169
• Moore – 162
• Mustang – 56
• Norman – 910
• OKC – 3,535
• Seminole – 137

PSO - 119 outages total

• Chickasha and Lawton areas - 11
• Okmulgee area - 35
• Tulsa area - 72

Caddo Electric - 78 outages in Canadian and Kiowa Counties

Cimarron Electric - 204 outages in Fairview, Hennesey, and Watonga

Cotton Electric Cooperative - 1,096 outages in Comanche, Cotton and Tillman counties

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - 1,965 outages near Blanchard, Newcastle, and Tuttle

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will provide Bac-t testing at no charge for private wells that were in the storm’s path. Well owners may call 1-800-522-0206 for more information. DEQ has additional storm cleanup tips available at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/tornado/index.html.

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.

###