SITUATION UPDATE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 3

May 2, 2017 - 4 p.m.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers across the state and is 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.

A State of Emergency remains in effect 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.

All shelters have closed.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has activated the following volunteer groups:

• Two mudout teams in Kinta to remove mud from flooded properties
• Two chainsaw teams in Oklahoma City

The state has fulfilled two assistance requests for water due to the storms:

• Kiowa County – two water buffaloes with potable water
• Delaware County – two water buffaloes and six pallets of bottled water

Adair County Emergency Management reports numerous roads, bridges, and culverts have washed away. Some power lines were damaged. Several water rescues occurred over the weekend. Initial damage assessments have started.

Cherokee County Emergency Management reports water levels are finally beginning to drop. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Craig County Emergency Management reports numerous roads, bridges, and culverts washed out in the county. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Custer County Emergency Management reports road damage and hail damage to crops.

Delaware County Emergency Management reports several bridges have been damaged along with numerous roads washed out. Some businesses and homes have flooded. Damage assessments are now in the initial stages.

Haskell County Emergency Management reports at least 15 homes and 11 businesses damaged in Kinta. Some public buildings were also damaged, including city hall, the post office, and fire department.

Lincoln County Emergency Management reports significant road and bridge damage. Several miles of power lines have fallen.

Mayes County Emergency Management reports at least a dozen homes flooded. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Muskogee Emergency Management reports at least six flooded homes have been identified within the City of Muskogee. Additionally, Muskogee County Emergency Management reports another seven homes flooded throughout the county. There have been some road damage and tree debris across the county. An upcoming dam water release is likely to cause additional flooding in the area.

Noble County Emergency Management reports culverts and at least one bridge washed out as well as some road damage.

Ottawa County Emergency Management reports numerous roads, bridges, and culverts washed out in the county. Damage assessments are ongoing.

Pawnee County Emergency Management reports road damage and the roof of a store collapsed during the storm.

Payne County Emergency Management reports road and culvert damage.

Sequoyah County Emergency Management reports several roads and bridges are damaged.

Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency reports two damaged facilities at Lake Eucha and Lake Spavinaw located in Mayes and Delaware counties.

Wagoner County Emergency Management reports road damage.

6,358 homes and businesses are without power due to the storms.

OG&E - 709 power outages including 642 in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports 5,649 electric cooperative power outages statewide. This includes 4,593 Tri-County Electric customers in Texas, Cimarron and Beaver counties.

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

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.

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is reminding Oklahomans the Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect for all 77 counties, after the governor declared a state of emergency on Saturday, April 29. The price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a state of emergency has been declared. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.

The act is in effect throughout the state of emergency and for 30 days after it has ended. Additionally, the act remains in effect for another 180 days for charges for repairs, remodeling and construction. Individuals who suspect price gouging should contact the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029, or fill out a complaint form.

Attorney General Hunter and the Consumer Protection Unit provided the following consumer tips when individuals are recovering from a significant weather event or when hiring a contractor:

• Never pay for the entire job upfront. The majority of reputable companies in Oklahoma will install or build without payment until the job is complete.
• Be suspicious of door-to-door solicitations. Get a business card and research the company’s history online. Also, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.
• Ask trustworthy people for a referral. Whenever possible, deal with local contractors who have roots in the community and independently verify addresses.
• Receive several written estimates from different contractors. Ask each contractor for references where they have completed work.

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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