SITUATION UPDATE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 1

April 29, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Is activated due to severe weather that began impacting the state Friday, April 28. OEM is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Insurance Department, National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties due to severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and snow that began Friday. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

American Red Cross has established three shelters for residents displaced by storms:

• First Baptist Church, 110 S. 8th Street, Muskogee, OK
• Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 2717 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK
• First Baptist Church, 201 Commerce Road, Tahlequah, OK

Adair County Emergency Management has opened a shelter at the Chewey Community Center in Chewey, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is assisting with debris removal and roof tarping in Le Flore County.

Adair County Emergency Management reports significant flooding. They have conducted one water rescue today and have issued evacuations for 6-8 people. They have opened a shelter at the Chewey Community Center in Chewey Oklahoma.

Caddo County Emergency Management reports one mobile home destroyed, three homes damaged and numerous barns damaged. One airplane was destroyed. Three people were treated and released for storm-related injuries.

Cherokee County Emergency Management reports widespread flooding in Cherokee County, with 14 water rescues since 11 a.m. today. A mobile home park in north Tahlequah has been evacuated.

Kingfisher County Emergency Management reports wind damage east and west of Highway 81, including structure damage. Damage includes trees down, broken windows, and roof damage. One travel trailer was overturned due to high wind.

Leflore County Emergency Management reports damage west of the town of Cameron due to storms Friday night. Baseball sized hail, power line damage and damage to one mobile home was reported.

Oklahoma City Emergency Management’s latest update is available online.

Ottawa County Emergency Management reports one large barn damaged, several additional structures destroyed and numerous trees and power lines are down.

Rogers County Emergency Management reports several trees have fallen onto homes in Sequoyah Hills causing roof damage.

In preparation for heavy rain and flooding, eight jurisdictions requested 14,000 sand bags from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The sandbags were requested and delivered or picked up on Friday in advance of the storms.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports more than 18,600 power outages statewide.

At the height of the storm Saturday morning there were more than 40,000 power outages.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports numerous roads are still closed due to high water. Visit their traffic advisories page or interactive road map for the latest information.

All lanes of east and westbound I-40 are now open just east of I-44 following cleanup of a power line in the roadway.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS in Oklahoma, call ODOT's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 844-4OK-HWYS (844-465-4997) or go to www.okroads.org. For turnpike information, call the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 877-403-7623 or go to www.pikepass.com.

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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