Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 4

May 9, 2015 - 6:40 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 Department of Human Services, 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 declared a State of Emergency Thursday for 12 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that began Wednesday. 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 on Thursday.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 30 injuries were treated by area hospitals as a result of Wednesday’s storms.

Oklahoma City County Health Department provided 102 tetanus vaccinations to residents and those helping in the cleanup of Shallow Brook Recreational Vehicle Park in Oklahoma City.

American Red Cross reports the following shelters are now open:

• Santa María Virgen Episcopal Church, 5500 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City
• Henryetta Civic Center, 115 S. 4th Street in Henryetta
• First Baptist Church, 227 N. Union Avenue in Shawnee

About 45 people stayed at the Oklahoma City shelter overnight and 14 people stayed at the Henryetta shelter. Two Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps. (OKMRC) Stress Response Teams are assisting at the Oklahoma City Shelter. One OKMRC Registered Nurse is on site to assist as needed.

The Salvation Army reports a mobile feeding unit (canteen) is on site in Bridge Creek and in southeast Oklahoma City. In Bridge Creek, one canteen is stationed at Bridge Creek School and one is mobile.

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.

Pottawatomie County Management reports Windmill Ridge residents were allowed to return to their homes overnight and pumps are being used to lower water level. Additional rainfall may create potential for evacuation again, therefore the American Red Cross shelter will remain open through at least Sunday.

Additional flooding has been reported by emergency managers in Cleveland, Hughes, Marshall, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, and Seminole counties.

Roads and highways continue to be impacted by high water. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation urges drivers to heed all warning signs and not to drive around barricades or into water on roadways.

Know before you go by checking current road conditions in Oklahoma. Call the Department of Public Safety's Road Conditions Hotline at 888-425-2385 or go to www.dps.state.ok.us. For turnpike information, call the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 877-403-7623 or go to www.pikepass.com.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 3,909 power outages statewide.

OG&E - Total 1,575

Ada – 94
Bethel Acres – 77
Durant - 115
Fort Smith, AR  59
Tishomingo - 67
Shawnee - 64
Seminole - 118
Sapulpa - 55
Oklahoma City – 555
Norman - 306
Francis - 65

PSO - Total 798

Largest outage areas:
Tulsa Southeast (includes Broken Arrow, Coweta, Bixby) – 631
Tulsa Southwest – 21
Tulsa Northwest – 17
McAlester, Idabel areas – 26

Caddo Electric - Total  236

Largest outage areas:
Mustang – 136
Caddo county - 74

Canadian Valley Electric - Total 12

Outage areas: Shawnee, Seminole areas

Cimarron Electric Cooperative - Total 62

Largest outage areas: Chester, Hennessey

Cotton Electric Cooperative - Total 120

Largest outage area: Stephens County, between Lawton and Duncan

Indian Electric Cooperative - Total 88

Largest outage areas: Hominy, Pawhuska, Skiatook

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total 230

Largest outage areas:
Tuttle – 137
Noble – 56
Blanchard - 28

Ozark Electric Cooperative - Total 684

Outage area - Stillwell

Peoples Electric - Total 50

Largest outage area: Holdenville

Red River Cooperative - Total 54

Outage area: Madill and area around Lebanon airport

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering free bacterial testing of private well water for those affected by the recent storms. The free testing will be available until June 15, 2015. Well owners may call 1-800-522-0206 for more information on eligibility for free testing as well as sampling instructions and supplies. Additional information is available at http://www.deq.state.ok.us/tornado/index.html.

Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) offers the following tips:

When disaster strikes, the best way to support survivors of emergencies or disasters in Oklahoma remains donating financial contributions to reputable voluntary organizations. Cash donations allow nonprofit organizations to purchase what disaster survivors need. Buying supplies locally helps the economy recover by helping local businesses pay salaries and by keeping tax revenues in the community, generating funds that can be used to repair and strengthen public infrastructure and services.

Donations of used clothing and miscellaneous household items must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed, which diverts resources from agencies that are coordinating distribution of identified needs.

Regarding in-kind donations, always confirm what is needed before taking action. If you must donate in-kind goods, make certain that they are specifically requested and needed by recognized organizations. Remember that unsolicited donated goods require responding organizations to redirect valuable resources away from providing services.

Offer an in-kind donation to an Oklahoma VOAD partner.

The American Red Cross Emergency App provides weather alerts and preparedness information in English and in Spanish. The app is available for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Search “Red Cross Emergency” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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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