Situation Update 1

April 19, 2023 11:30 p.m.

SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS STATE

As a result of severe weather across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center activated today at 10 a.m. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (ODEMHS) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas and coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, National Weather Service, Oklahoma American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and other Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

STORM REPORTS

Pottawatomie County Emergency Management reports numerous tornadoes have been on the ground across the county. The county requested assistance from the Oklahoma Disaster Task Force and a mobile command post from the Choctaw Nation. Lincoln County is sending resources to support search and rescue efforts. Oklahoma Task Force 1 is also redirecting their resources to the Shawnee area. A command post is set up at Firelake Arena.

In McClain County, Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports 10 OHP Emergency Response Team members are assisting with search and rescue in Cole. The City of Oklahoma City also provided personnel and equipment for search and rescue efforts. Moore Emergency Management delivered light towers for the incident. Moore Emergency Management and Oklahoma City Emergency Management are assisting with communications. A shelter is open at Washington School.

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is coordinating with the Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders to assist with livestock injuries and damages.

ODEMHS has staff on scene in McClain and Pottawatomie counties to provide assistance to local emergency management.

Damage assessments in all areas are ongoing.

MASS CARE

A locally managed shelter and reunification center is open at Washington School, 101 East Kirby Avenue in Washington, OK for residents displaced by the storms. American Red Cross is supporting the shelter.

Additional locally managed shelters are open at the following locations:

• Noble High School, 4601 E. Etowah, Noble, OK
• Shawnee Shelter, 1701 Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK

The Salvation Army will be providing breakfast in Cole Thursday morning for residents and responders.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by the recent storms to report damages to their property 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.

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 911 for emergencies.

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