Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 10

May 20, 2015 - 5 p.m.

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, 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 requested a federal disaster declaration Tuesday for Cleveland, Grady and Oklahoma counties as a result of tornadoes, severe storms and straight-line winds that have occurred since May 5 as well as continued flooding. If approved, those who suffered storm-related damage may be eligible for assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

State of Emergency remains in effect 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. Additional counties may be added.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports a 56-year-old male died in Cole as a result of storms beginning on May 19.

Three fatalities are attributed previous storms earlier this month. 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.

Oklahoma State Department of Health reports a total of 49 injuries have been reported from previous storms this month.

Anadarko Emergency Management reports some businesses have experienced flooding due to yesterday’s storms.

Ardmore Emergency Management reports a one mile section of Myall Road has washed out. Parts of the county received more than 5 inches of rain last night, in addition to rain received in the last two weeks.

McClain County Emergency Management reports no tornado damage has been found due to yesterday’s storms, but additional flooding has taken place.

Additional damage assessments are ongoing.

American Red Cross reports the shelter Santa María Virgen Episcopal Church at 5500 S. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City is now closed. Red Cross has worked with shelter residents to make arrangements for temporary housing.

Serve Moore is 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 242 homeowners for chain saw or debris needs and has served more than 15,970 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.

• Atoka County - SH-131 is closed six miles west of US 69.
• Carter County - SH-89 is closed 4 miles south of Ringling.
• 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 - SH-7 is closed 5 miles east of SH-99, northeast of Tishomingo; 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 south 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.
• Le Flore 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. 
• Marshall County - SH-199 is closed at the Ft. Washita Bridge.
• Pittsburg County - SH-63 is closed from Haileyville to Kiowa; SH- 31 is closed from Haywood to SH-31A.

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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