Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 8

May 16, 2015 - 8:40 p.m.

Due to the continued severe weather, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is activated. 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, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and Civil Air Patrol.

Governor Mary Fallin has declared a State of Emergency for 44 counties. The counties included in the Executive Order are: Adair, Alfalfa, Atoka, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Cotton, Creek, Dewey, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Haskell, Hughes, Jackson, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Love, Major, McClain, McIntosh, Marshall, McCurtain, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens and Tillman.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of today’s storms.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports three fatalities are now attributed to the storms. A 43-year-old female in Oklahoma City was found dead in her cellar on May 7. An 81-year-old male was found dead near Tupelo in Coal County on May 10. A 60-year-old man was found dead in Le Flore County on May 13.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 40 storm-related injuries have been treated by Oklahoma hospitals as a result of storms last week.

Altus Emergency Management reports no damage to occupied structures. Power is out in Headrick, Hess, and Elmer.

Major County Emergency Management reports tornado damage in Cleo Springs. Initial damage assessments are underway. Transmission lines are down near Orienta.

Roger Mills Emergency Management reports damage to a few businesses and multiple out buildings. Some homes and manufactured homes have also sustained damage. No injuries are reported.

One Multi-Agency Resource Center will be open Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2440 SW 55th St in Oklahoma City. Residents impacted by the disaster are urged to visit one of the centers to talk to voluntary agencies that may have disaster aid available.

The Bridge Creek resource center closed today, but anyone in need of assistance can call American Red Cross at 405-228-9500.

American Red Cross reports a shelter remains open at Santa María Virgen Episcopal Church at 5500 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City. About 27 people stayed at the shelter overnight.

Serve Moore has been responding to neighborhoods in southeast Oklahoma City around South 44th Street and I-35. Residents in this area of Oklahoma City can request assistance with debris removal, minor repairs and minor roof tarping through Serve Moore. Those who would like 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 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. Since May 6, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has received requests from more than 200 homeowners for chain saw or debris needs and has served more than 12,000 meals.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following highways are affected by high water. Drivers are cautioned to heed all warning signs and not to drive around barricades or into water on roadways.

• Carter County - SH-77S is closed one mile south of the US-70 junction (near the west entrance to Lake Murray State Park.)
• Cherokee County - SH-80 is closed about 4 miles west of Hulbert between SH-51 and US-62.
• Cotton County - SH-5B is closed between SH-5A and US-70.
• Johnston County - US-377/SH-99 is closed to through traffic just south of Tishomingo. Traffic is detoured on SH-1/SH-22 through Ravia and US-177/SH-199.
• Kiowa County - SH-54 is closed to through traffic just north of SH-9 near Gotebo. Traffic is detoured using SH-19 to US-183 to SH-55. This closure is expected to last into next week.
• LeFlore County - US-270 is closed just south of the junction with US-271 between Wister and Heavener due to flooding at Wister Lake. Signs are in place and traffic will be detoured to Poteau and Heavener.  

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.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 3,044 outages statewide.

PSO - Total: 815

Tipton area: 807
Weatherford: 8

OG&E - Total: 147

Seiling area

City of Waynoka (municipal electric)

Total: 762

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative - Total: 578

Largest outage areas: Aline, Carmine, Goltry

Caddo Electric - Total: 84

Most in Caddo, Kiowa counties

Cimarron Electric Cooperative - Total: 501

Largest outage areas: Fairview, Isabella, Longdale, Oakwood, Canton

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 157

Wyandotte, Grove areas

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been monitoring river and lake levels and potential flood damage since last week. To date, they have provided 10,000 sandbags to local municipalities and counties in Oklahoma and have moved extra sandbags to Lake Eufaula. An additional 10,000 bags will be provided to Chickasaw Nation. USACE have also provided maps, flyover photos, technical assistance and 24hr monitoring of the lakes with high water levels.

Lake Eufaula is currently the most closely watched project, at 115 percent of the flood control pool. Tulsa District Corps of Engineers has declared an emergency to allow for emergency operations support including flood fight under Public Law 84-99.

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.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Oklahoma’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect for Oklahoma counties included in the Governor’s State of Emergency. Oklahoma’s price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services during a state of emergency and for 30 days thereafter, the attorney general said. The act additionally is in effect for another 180 days for prices to repairs, remodeling and construction. Oklahomans who suspect fraud related to storm-damage cleanup or repairs, or who experience price gouging, should contact the Attorney General’s Public Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029 or (918) 581-2885.

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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