Situation Update 7

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 7

May 25, 2019 – 8:00 p.m.

As a result of flooding and severe weather impacts across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services - Oklahoma Public Safety Broadband Network, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department State Parks Division, National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Air Patrol, Oklahoma 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 counties due to flooding, severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds that began in April. 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.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management continues to ask residents impacted by the recent storms to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov or by calling 211. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts. Residents can report damage to homes, businesses or agriculture through the online survey.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 87 injuries have been reported by area hospitals.

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports two fatalities attributed to flooding and severe weather.

• Female, 53, Payne County
• Male, 58, Stephens County

From now until June 14, 2019, several relief agencies are staffing a free hotline for muck-out, debris removal, and home cleanup from the recent statewide storms and flooding. This hotline will connect survivors with reputable and vetted relief agencies that will assist in debris cleanup and mucking out, as they are able. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the expected overwhelming need.The public may call 800-451-1954 to request help with storm and flooding related cleanup.Those requests will be shared with relief organizations at crisiscleanup.org.

American Red Cross reports the following shelters are open due to high water:

• Coweta High School, 14607 S. 305thE Ave, Coweta
• Faith Church, 1901 W 171st, Glenpool
• First Christian Church, 2424 N. Main, Miami
• Bacone College, 2299 Old Bacone Rd, Muskogee
• Roland High School, 300 Ranger Blvd, Roland
• Spiro Middle School, 600 W. Broadway St, Spiro
• Crescent Valley Baptist Church, 25641 S. Crescent Valley Rd, Tahlequah
• Crosstown Church of Christ, 3400 E. Admiral, Tulsa
• Chandler Park Community Center, 6500 W. 21stSt, Tulsa
• Church on the Word, 1511 Culwell Rd, Warner

Local County Health staff provided tetanus shots today in areas affected by storms in Okfuskee County.

Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is activated to support shelter staffing needs in Le Flore County.

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans who have been impacted by the recent weather may be eligible for a Financial Grant. Visit their website at okvets.ok.gov and click on the "get help" tab to find a service officer or location near you to assist. You can also call 918-781-7766 or 405-523-4000 to locate a service office or location near you.

The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)continues to support the animal shelter in Tulsa. MRC volunteers are currently being scheduled through Sunday.An Emergency Small Animal Shelter has been set up at the Expo Square Pavilion where approximately 60 animals are sheltered.

The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps is also coordinating with the American Red Cross to support shelter needs in Tulsa, Muskogee, Warner and Fort Gibson.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reports that people with horses and cattle in need of assistance can call Dr. Rod Hall at (580) 257-0254 and Dr. Clayton Cook at (575) 405-9556. Anyone with facilities that can temporarily keep 10 or more horses from the evacuated areas are also asked to call Dr. Hall.

A large animal shelter is set up at Muskogee Roundup Club. American Humane Association and Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders are supporting this shelter.

When disaster strikes, the best way to support survivors of emergencies or disasters in Oklahoma is with cash donations to reputable voluntary organizations. Cash donations allow relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it. Buying supplies locally helps the local community recover by helping local businesses pay salaries and by keeping tax revenues in the community.

Do not send additional items unless specifically requested by a local community. Do not send unsolicited donations of used clothing, miscellaneous items or perishable foods, which must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed. This requires more efforts and staffing to manage those resources and takes away from recovery efforts.

A flood relief fund has been set up through the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation for Oklahoma Cattlemen affected by the ongoing flooding across the state. One hundred percent of the donated funds will be distributed to the affected cattlemen. Donate at https://www.okcattlemen.org/flood-relief-fund.

Blackwell Emergency Management reports the Del City Water Rescue Team assisted with water recues in Blackwell.

Le Flore County Emergency Management reports the District 1 Commissioner is providing sand bags to the public.

Muskogee County Emergency Management reports numerous county roads are closed in areas along and near the Arkansas River. A swift water rescue team from Sequoyah County is assisting with water rescues. A Muskogee County Sheriff Deputy and an ambulance crew were assigned to the Town of Braggs where there is currently no way in or out of the town. Voluntary evacuations are ongoing in Braggs. Webbers Falls remains under a mandatory evacuation order and parts of Ft. Gibson are under a voluntary evacuation order. Personnel from Pittsburg County Emergency Management have been providing Emergency Operations Center support. Liaisons from Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services will also be on site to assist.

Nowata County Emergency Management reports a water rescue team from South Coffeyville is responding to water rescues. Six homes are surrounded by water. The Nowata County Water Treatment Plant is down due to flooding from the Verdigris River. Two water buffalos are being delivered by the Oklahoma National Guard.

Rogers County Emergency Management reports a voluntary evacuation for low lying areas along and near the Verdigris River in Rogers County. Evacuated residents can shelter at the Crosstown Church of Christ in Tulsa. The Guymon swift water rescue taskforce is responding to water rescue missions.

Sequoyah County Emergency Management reports flooding is extensive in Moffett, which is now completely evacuated. Water and power are out in Moffett, but operational across the rest of the county. Some roads are closed in low-lying areas.

Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency is providing their latest updates at https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/

Wagoner County Emergency Management reports a voluntary evacuation order remains in place for all low-lying areas near the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers. Verdigris River levels are rising and flooding impacts are expected in communities including Oak Grove, Okay, and Wybark. Creek Nation swift water rescue team is assisting overnight with water rescues. Evacuees can shelter at Coweta High School.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has staff deployed to the affected areas, including Tulsa, Muskogee, and Wagoner counties.

Liaisons from Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services will be supporting the Emergency Operations Center in Muskogee County.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is working on the east side of the Arkansas River to support Muskogee County Emergency Management.

Cherokee Nation is in command on the east side of the Arkansas River in Muskogee County (Ft. Gibson area). Ft Gibson Police and Fire Dept and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are assisting.Muskogee County Emergency Management is in command on the east side. Cherokee Nation will be operating through the weekend.  

State Dept of Health staff continues to support the Muskogee County, Wagoner County, and Choctaw Nation Emergency Operations Centers and Incident Management Teams.

Oklahoma National Guard is providing water buffalos to Nowata County, South Coffeyville, and Cherokee Nation if Ft. Gibson. They also provided a generator for Okay in Wagoner County.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation is discouraging travel in flood-impacted parts of the state this weekend.

The following highways are closed until further notice due to flooding:

Beckham Co.

• The I-40 southern service road (old Route 66) at MM19 is closed for extended repairs due to road damage.

Cherokee Co.

• SH-80 is closed four miles west of Hulbert near Fort Gibson Lake.
• SH-80 is closed near the Canyon Rd. access area just north of Fort Gibson.

Delaware Co.

• SH-127 is closed near Jay just west of US-59 due to a damaged drainage structure.

Johnston Co.

• SH-48A is closed to through traffic between the SH-48 junction in Coleman and SH-7 in Milburn due to a damaged construction detour.

Kay Co. 

• US-77 is closed between SH-156 and southern Tonkawa.
• SH-156 is closed between Marland and US-60/US-177.

Kingfisher Co.

• US-81 is closed north of SH-33 in Kingfisher.

Leflore Co. 

• SH-9A is closed northeast of Spiro, west of Fort Smith, Ark. 

Logan Co. 

• SH-74F is closed between Cashion and SH-33 due to pavement damage.

Love Co. 

• SH-77-Scenic is closed at Lake Murray Spillway.

Mayes Co. 

• SH-82 is closed at Grand River south of Langley.

Muskogee Co.

• SH-10 is closed at Big Greenleaf Creek 3.5 miles south of Braggs.
• SH-10 is closed two miles east of the US-62 junction near Fort Gibson.
• US-62 is closed between SH-80 near Fort Gibson and SH-165 in Muskogee.
• SH-104 is closed at Coal Creek near Haskell.
• Southbound SH-165 is narrowed at US-62 due to encroaching water. Motorists should exercise caution and slow down in the area as conditions can rapidly change.

Nowata Co.

• SH-10 is closed east of US-169 near Lenapah due to damage to a drain.
• SH-28 is closed between US-60 and US-169.

Ottawa Co.

• SH-125 is closed one mile south of SH-10 in Miami.
• US-59/SH-10 is closed one mile west of US-69 near Miami. 
• SH-10 is closed between US-69 to one mile east of the SH-69A junction in Miami.
• US-69 is closed between SH-125 and US-59/SH-10 near Miami.

Rogers Co.

• US-169 is closed eight miles north of SH-88.
• SH-88 is closed east of US-169 near Oologah.

Sequoyah Co.

• SH-64D is closed east of Roland, west of Fort Smith, Ark.
• US-64/SH-100 is closed from the US-64/SH-100 junction to east of the Ray Fine bridge near Gore.

Tulsa Co.

• SH-51 is closed just west of SH-97 near Sand Springs.

Wagoner Co.

• Southbound US-69 is closed north of Muskogee at the Arkansas River. Drivers should use SH-51 or locate an alternate route such as the Muskogee Turnpike, which has eliminated tolls between US-69 and SH-165.
• SH-16 is closed near the Muskogee Turnpike just north of Muskogee.
• SH-16 is closed northwest of Okay.
• SH-72 is closed from East 201st south to just north of the Arkansas River bridge near Coweta

Washington Co.

• SH-123 is closed between Bartlesville and Dewey.

For official information about highway closures due to flooding, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation posts updates in the Traffic Advisory section of www.odot.org. An interactive map showing highway conditions and closures can be found at www.okroads.org.

The state’s price gouging statute is in effect for all 77 Oklahoma counties. The Emergency Price Stabilization Act prohibits an increase of more than 10% for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. The statute triggers automatically after the governor issues a state of emergency. The law allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.

For more information or to report a complaint, individuals can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit by phone at (405) 521-2029, or email at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.

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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