Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 2

September 6, 2016; 4:30 p.m.

After Saturday’s magnitude 5.6 earthquake, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management remains in contact with local emergency managers in the affected areas as well as officials at the Governor’s Coordinating Council on Seismic Activity, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma State Department of Health, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and other Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OK VOAD).

The United States Geological Survey reports at least 20 aftershocks have occurred since Saturday.

Governor Mary Fallin’s State of Emergency for Pawnee County remains in effect following Saturday’s earthquake. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions.

Pawnee Fire Department reports one injury related to the earthquake.

Oklahoma State University reports several buildings on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater sustained damage as a result of the 5.6 earthquake that occurred Saturday morning. Structural engineers along with members of OSU’s Facility Management and Long Range Facilities Planning assessed the damage and deemed the buildings safe for immediate occupancy.

Statewide, eleven residents have submitted damage photos and information to OEM through the OK Emergency mobile app. The reported damage occurred in the following locations: Catoosa, Grove, Hominy, Morrison, Owasso, Pawnee, Stillwater, Tulsa and Yukon.

Residents are asked to report earthquake damage to local emergency management or to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management through the OK Emergency Mobile Application. OK Emergency app users may submit photos of earthquake damage to their homes or businesses on Apple, Android, and Blackberry devices.

Oklahoma Insurance Department representatives will be in the Pawnee area Tuesday and Thursday to meet with local officials and those who sustained damage.

A standard homeowners’ insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage, but many Oklahomans have earthquake coverage through an endorsement on their homeowners’ policy or through a stand-alone policy. This type of coverage protects your home from catastrophic damage.

Earthquake insurance typically covers:

• Home repairs needed because of the quake
• Replacement of personal property directly damaged by the earthquake
• Additional living expenses while your home is rebuilt or repaired
• Debris removal

Earthquake insurance does not cover:

• Replacement of brick or stone that covers the outside of your home
• Damage to your lot or land
• External water damage
• Vehicle damage

Many insurance companies won’t sell earthquake insurance immediately after an earthquake. The moratorium can be anywhere from 72 hours to 60 days after the quake.

Consumers with questions about earthquake insurance are encouraged to call the OID Consumer Assistance team at 800-522-0071.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District has inspected all dams within a 50-mile radius of the the epicenter and found that no damage occurred at any of the structures. This includes dams at Birch, Cleveland Levee, Heyburn, Kaw, Keystone, and Skiatook.

Saturday’s earthquake serves as a reminder that everyone in Oklahoma should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes. The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, businesses and to improve preparedness and learn how to drop, cover and hold on.

The State of Oklahoma has participated in the drill since 2011 and will participate once again in 2016. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management encourages all Oklahomans to register their workplace, family, school or other organization to take part in the Great ShakeOut drill at 10:20 a.m. on October 20.

Register online

After an emergency or disaster, scam artists are often ready to take advantage of the misfortunes of others. People should be especially alert for phone or door-to-door solicitors who hand out flyers and promise to speed up the insurance or building permit process and those who ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full. Whether they are architectural, engineering, electrical, or general contractors, most service providers in the building industry are honest, but all too often disasters attract scam artists. Some claim to be state or FEMA certified, when, in fact, neither the state nor FEMA certifies or endorses any contractor. If you suspect contractor fraud, contact the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029 or by email at ConsumerProtection@oag.ok.gov or contact your local Better Business Bureau.

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.

###