Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 11

May 23, 2015 - 10 p.m.

Due to ongoing severe weather and flooding, 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 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.

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

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

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

Beckham County Emergency Management reports Elk City fire and police conducted waster rescues in city neighborhoods due to flooding earlier today. Two mobile home parks were affected by over 5” of rain and flash flooding. Roads and bridges were under water. No injuries are reported.

Custer County Emergency Management reports the Washita River is now out of its banks.

Del City Emergency Management reports street flooding on Sunnylane from Reno to NE 4th Street.

Logan County Emergency Management reports the intersection at Seward Road and Western Avenue is flooded up to 2 feet.

McClain County Emergency Management reports a tornado caused damage to 10 homes before lifting.  No injuries are reported.

Norman Emergency Management reports many roads are flooded. Residents are urged to stay off the roads.

Pontotoc County Emergency Management reports no damage has been found from two reported tornadoes near Ada.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following highways are affected by high water. Do NOT drive into high water. Turn around if possible. Drivers are cautioned to heed all warning signs and not to drive around barricades.

• OKC Metro - Southbound I-44 ramp to eastbound I-40 closed. 
• Canadian County - U.S. 270 is closed from Calumet extending one mile east. 
  SH 4 is closed from SH-66 to Wilshire.
• Cherokee County - SH-80 is closed about 4 miles west of Hulbert between SH-51 and US-62.
• Choctaw County - SH-70 is closed east of Boswell at the Muddy Boggy River.
• Cotton County - SH-5B is closed between SH-5A and US-70.
• Grant County - SH-81 is closed from Medford extending north to the state line.
• Jefferson County - SH-32 is closed near Ryan, detour using US-81 or SH-89 to 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.
• Kingfisher County - SH-33 is closed three miles west of SH-74F.
• 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.
• Okmulgee County - SH-16 and US-75A are closed north and south of Beggs.
• Pittsburg County - SH-31 is closed from 270 junction to Haywood and to SH-31A.
  SH-63 is closed from Haileyville to Kiowa.
• Pushmataha County - US-271 is closed south of Clayton, detour available on SH-2 from Antlers to Clayton.

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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