Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Situation Update 11

November 6, 2020 3:30 p.m.

 

STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER REMAINS ACTIVATED

Due to the effects hazardous weather conditions last week and ongoing power outages, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (ODEMHS) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma State Department of Education, State Election Board, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross and other Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect 47 Oklahoma counties: Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Major, McClain, Noble, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Tulsa, Washington, Washita, Woods and Woodward. The Executive Order temporarily suspends requirements for size and weights permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies used for emergency relief and power restoration.

INJURIES & FATALITIES

Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports one fatality attributed to the ice storms.

• Female, 80 years old, Enid, Died October 31

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 149 injuries have been reported by area hospitals:

• 14 cut or pierced
• 69 falls
• 21 poisoning
• 12 struck by or against
• 29 transportation related
• 4 other 

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID FOR VETERANS       

Veterans and dependents may be eligible for emergency financial aid if they were affected by last week’s ice storm. Visit https://odva.ok.gov/vsr-staff-directory/ to find a Veteran Services Representative and get the application started.

SHELTERS AND MASS CARE

United Way of Central Oklahoma, Heartline Oklahoma and nonprofit partner agencies are helping provide access to food, water and temporary housing for Oklahomans who were impacted by weather damage and power outages from the recent ice storm.

Since the program started, 112 households have been served.

Who should request assistance?

• Those currently without power who have critical needs.
• Those whose homes have sustained storm damage making it uninhabitable. 

How to request assistance:

• If you have access to the internet, please visit bit.ly/OKicestorm and complete the online form. A case manager will then follow up with you.
• If you do not have internet access, please call 2-1-1 and wait to speak with helpline specialist.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw teams are providing assistance with tree debris. Contact 2-1-1 or visit https://www.okdisasterhelp.org/request-assistance to request assistance.

FOOD REPLACEMENT SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) is replacing loss of food that was purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to a loss of power for an extended period due to the recent ice storm.

SNAP recipients whose households lost food as a result of the ice storm power outages may request a replacement of benefits equal to the value of the food loss, but not to exceed 60% of the monthly amount received for October 2020.

To request a replacement of SNAP benefits, complete the Request for Destroyed Food Replacement form within 10 calendar days of the loss, and return the form to your OKDHS caseworker. The form may be found at http://www.okdhs.org/OKDHS Form Library/08FB012E.pdf

For assistance with electronically returning the form or scheduling of an appointment if you are unable to access or submit the form electronically, please call your local OKDHS office.

POWER OUTAGES

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 54,490 outages statewide.

 

OG&E Total: 51,148

Note: OG&E customers can find their estimated restoration time by address by signing into your oge.com account or by entering your address in the "Find a place" box in the upper right corner of the OG&E System Watch map web page.

Outages of >50

Oklahoma City: 42,433

Del City: 2,044

Norman: 1,276

Village: 1,147

Bethany: 829

Midwest City: 524

Guthrie: 490

Moore: 454

Harrah: 310

Warr Acres: 250

Elmore City: 204

Choctaw: 192

Spencer: 168

Glencoe: 163

Yukon: 161

Nichols Hills: 115

Edmond: 106

El Reno: 78

Valley Brook: 72

Sapulpa: 70

Ardmore: 62

 

COOPERATIVES (by county)

 

CKenergy Electric Cooperative Total: 3,219

Blaine: 1

Caddo: 1,966

Canadian: 675

Comanche: 77

Grady: 155

Kiowa: 271

Washita: 73

Dewey: 1

 

Cimarron Electric Cooperative Total: 77

Blaine: 7

Canadian: 44

Garfield: 2

Kingfisher: 14

Logan: 8

Oklahoma: 2

 

Lake Region Electric Cooperative, Inc. Total: 38

Cherokee: 38

 

Southwest Rural Electric Association, Inc. Total: 8

Jackson: 1

Tillman: 7

AVOID CONTRACTOR FRAUD

The Attorney General’s office urges Oklahomans to proceed with caution before selecting contractors when making repairs to property and clean up in the wake of last week’s ice storm.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit offers the following tips to avoid contractor fraud:

• Ask for referrals from people you trust and for references from contractors;
• Avoid fly-by-night companies and use local companies established in the community;
• Obtain written estimates from multiple contractors;
• Ensure roofers are registered with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board by calling (405) 521-6550 or check the online database at https://cib.ok.gov/are-they-licensed;
• Be cautious of door-to-door solicitation, contractors who ask for a substantial up-front payment or request cash payment, use high pressure or aggressive sales tactics or resist the use of a written contract;
• Do not give out bank account information, social security or driver’s license numbers;
• If contractors identify themselves with a federal or state government agency, ask for credentials and call the agency they claim to be with.

For more information or to report a complaint, individuals are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Unit by phone at (405) 521-2029, email at consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov or visit the consumer protection website and fill out an online complaint form, here.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS ONGOING

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (ODEMHS) reports damage assessments are ongoing across the state. ODEMHS is working to collect damage estimates needed for the state to request federal assistance. A presidential disaster declaration would help municipalities, counties, tribes, state agencies and some private non-profits recoup up to 75 percent of the costs of responding to the ice storm, removing debris, repairing damaged roads, and other eligible disaster-related expenses.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is asking residents impacted by the recent storms to report physical damages to their homes or businesses at damage.ok.gov. 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.

EMERGENCY PRICE STABILIZATION ACT IN EFFECT

Attorney General Mike Hunter reminds contractors and individuals the state’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act is still in effect for all 77 counties with the ongoing disaster emergency declaration due to COVID-19.

The price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services after a declared emergency. Additionally, the act allows the attorney general to pursue charges against individuals or businesses that engage in price gouging.

DIAL 211

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 9-1-1 for emergencies.

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