Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 13

May 25, 2015 - 7:15 p.m.

Due to ongoing severe weather and flooding, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains 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 last week 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.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for eastern Oklahoma until noon Tuesday. Widespread rainfall is moving across eastern Oklahoma this evening with a half inch to two inches of rain possible. The ground is saturated across all of Oklahoma and any additional rain is likely to cause rapid runoff and flash flooding. The showers and thunderstorms will move out of Oklahoma later this evening.

Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the next seven days, with heavy rain possible each day. The greatest threat for additional heavy rain is Thursday and Friday.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports one person has died in Bryan County as a result of today’s storms. Additional details have not been released on this fatality.

Three fatalities are now attributed to Saturday and Sunday’s storms.

A 44-year-old male firefighter died in Claremore while trying to perform a water rescue.

A 33-year-old female died in a traffic collision in Tulsa.

A 37-year-old male died in Sapulpa.

Five 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.

A 34-year-old male was found dead in Hugo on May 22.

This marks a total of nine storm-related deaths since May 5.

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

The American Red Cross reports shelters are open at the following locations:

• Lawton - Comanche Nation Complex, Cahoma Building, 584 NW Bingo Road
• Lawton - Comanche County Fairgrounds, 920 SW Sheridan Road
• Lexington - Circle the Wagons Ministry, 604 E Broadway
• Noble - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4401 E Maguire Road
• Oklahoma City - Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 Northwest Expressway
• Sapulpa - First United Methodist Church, 1401 E Taft Avenue
• Talihina - Hale Scout Reservation, 1 Camp Tom Hale Road
• Tulsa - Edison Prep School, 2906 E 41st Street
• Wister - Wister High School Safe Room, Logan Street and Highway 270

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is providing meals in Lawton at First Baptist Church West and in Norman at the Union Baptist Associational Office. They are also working to organize classes to teach people how to properly clean and remove mold from flooded homes. Classes are set to begin Wednesday at Norman Bethel Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.okdisasterhelp.org.

Atoka County Emergency Management reports four houses were significantly damaged when a tornado touched down in Atoka. Additional damage is reported in Caney. One injury is reported.

Bryan County Emergency Management reports numerous mobile homes were damaged or destroyed in the Pirtle area. Heavy rain and flooding has caused damage to the town of Silo’s water line leaving the town without drinking water until waters recede and the line can be repaired.

Grady County Emergency Management reports a water main break leaving the town of Pocasset without water.

Le Flore County Emergency Management reports up to 50 homes were threatened by rising water at Wister Lake. Residents were urged to leave while it was still safe to do so. Additional damage has been reported at Talihina and Poteau from today’s storms.

McCurtain County Emergency Management reports the Department of Public Safety was called in to assist Broken Bow Fire and Rescue in the rescue of 13 people trapped by rising water at a rental cabin on the Mountain Fork River. All 13 have now been rescued. In addition, the county water supply system is flooded and not operable.

Muskogee County Emergency Management reports 80 head of cattle with 60-70 calves are stranded on an island. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry working with emergency management to assist.

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.

• Cherokee County - SH-80 is closed about four miles west of Hulbert between SH-51 and US-62.
• Choctaw County - SH-70 is closed at the Muddy Boggy River between Soper and Boswell.
• Cotton County - SH-5B at West Cache Creek.
• Grant County - SH-11 is closed between US-81 in Medford to SH-132.
• 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. SH-48A is narrowed to one lane east of Filmore; SH-22 east and south of Tishomingo about 1.5 miles is narrowed to one lane
• Kay County - US-77 is closed to through traffic south of Tonkawa at the Salt Fork Bridge; SH-156 approximately 4 miles south of SH-60 in Kay County.
• Kingfisher County - SH-33 approximately 3 miles west of SH-74F junction.
• 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.
• Latimer County - SH-2 south of Yanish has some water over the road. Crews are flagging traffic.
• Logan County - SH-33 is closed north of Guthrie; US-77 between Guthrie and Mulhall.
• Leflore County - US-270 is closed between Wister and Heavener and US-271 at Wister. Signs are in place and traffic will be detoured to Poteau and Heavener. SH-1 is closed two miles north of US-271 east to US-259
• McClain County - SH-133 between SH-19 and SH-59.
• McCurtain County - SH-259A in Beaver's Bend State Park is closed.
• Marshall County - SH-199 is closed at the Ft. Washita bridge approximately 5 miles west of SH-48.
• Noble County - SH-15 is closed 5 miles east of US-77 near Red Rock.
• Okfuskee County - SH-48 is closed south of the I-40 junction.
• Pittsburg County - SH-31 is closed between US-270 and Haywood; SH-63 is closed between Haileyville and Kiowa; US-69B is closed from McAlester north to SH-113.
• Pottawatomie County - SH-102 from SH-9 south to Tribbey.
• Pushmataha County - US-271 is closed south of Clayton Lake, detour available on SH-2 from Antlers to Clayton; SH-3 is closed between Antlers and Rattan at the Kiamichi River; SH-43 is closed at Sardis Dam.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 2,428 power outages statewide.

OG&E - Total: 98

Ponca City

PSO - Total: 1,447

Largest outage areas:
Grandfield – 638
Temple – 562
Lawton – 127
Hugo – 76
Tulsa SE – 8

Cotton County Electric Cooperative - Total: 597

Largest outage areas: Comanche, Duncan

Lake Region Electric Cooperative - Total: 39

Largest outage areas: Oaks, Chewey

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative - Total: 27

Largest outage area: Norman

Peoples Electric Cooperative - Total: 147

Largest outage areas: Stonewall, Fittstown, Pauls Valley, Connerville

Red River Valley Electric Cooperative - Total: 73

Largest outage areas: Madill, Kingston

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) representatives offer the following tips. Residents and business owners with flood insurance should first call their insurance adjuster to report flood damage and take photos of all damage, including water levels. Property owners should wait to do any repairs until an adjuster is able to visit the structure. Owners may remove sheetrock and clean up mold, mud, and debris after they have taken photos. Owners may also remove carpet, but should save a section of the carpet to show the adjuster. Once repairs begin, save all receipts and payment information.

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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