Situation Update 5

April 24, 2023 4:30 p.m.

SEVERE WEATHER RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE

As a result of severe weather that occurred on April 19 and weather-related damages across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated. 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.

DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED

The White House today approved Governor Kevin Stitt’s expedited request for federal disaster assistance. Governor Stitt submitted the request yesterday evening, Sunday, April 23. This request follows Governor Stitt’s Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in Lincoln, Cleveland, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties (E.O. 2023-10) signed April 20.

Individuals and business owners in McClain and Pottawatomie counties who were impacted by the April 19 tornadoes and severe storms may now qualify for disaster aid through a FEMA Individual Assistance disaster declaration. The assistance will help with housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

To apply for disaster assistance, individuals may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on site to help businesses in Shawnee at their Business Recovery Center opening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25. Details about the Business Recovery Center are below:

• Shawnee Forward, 231 N. Bell Avenue, 2^nd Floor in Shawnee.
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays

The approval also includes federal funding to assist municipalities, counties, tribal nations, state agencies, and other eligible applicants in the two counties with debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storms.

INJURIES AND FATALITIES

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 188 weather-related injuries have been reported statewide by area hospitals.

• 28 Cut/Pierce
• 67 Fall
• 14 Poisoning
• 28 Struck
• 22 Transportation-related
• 1 Burn
• 28 Other

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms two fatalities occurred in Cole as a result of the April 19 storms.

The McClain County Sheriff’s Office reports they have verified a third reported fatality was not from McClain County. The person is believed to have sustained fatal injuries from the storm but had been transported from an adjacent county. 

MASS CARE AND ASSISTANCE

Three American Red Cross Resource Sites are open:

• Community Renewal - Oklahoma Baptist University Green Campus – 8 a.m to 5 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee
• Cole Fire Department – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 27089 Main Street, Cole
• 12 Corners Baptist Church – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 15601 E. Etowah Road, Noble

Two additional supply distribution sites are open for residents impacted by the storms. Residents can pick up shelf-stable food, water, baby wipes, pet food, tarps, garbage bags, cleanup kits, hygiene kits, and other miscellaneous items at the following locations:

• Life.Church at 5113 N. Harrison, Shawnee – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bethel Acres Community Center, 18101 NW 336 Rd, Bethel Acres – 10 a.m. to

Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County has a volunteer reception center at the Oklahoma Baptist University’s Green Campus, at 1900 W. MacArthur Street, Shawnee. Those wishing to volunteer or needing assistance with volunteer services can find more info online at communityrenewal.org.

The Salvation Army has one canteen in Cole serving 300 meals for lunch and dinner and four canteens and support vehicles serving more than 1,500 meals in Shawnee and Bethel Acres.

Mennonite Disaster Services are providing tree removal and mobile home demo in Cole. They plan to work move to Shawnee next.

Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Shawnee ready to provide debris/tree cleanup and roof tarping. Residents can call (405) 827-2548 for assistance.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has chainsaw teams in Cole and Shawnee to assist residents. Residents can call (844) 690-9198 for assistance.

Crisis Care Ministries reminds disaster survivors to call the mental health crisis line at 988. Central Oklahoma Mental Health Services, Red Rock, Hope Community Services, and North Care are the mental health services for the impacted counties.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma’s Disaster Hotline is open at (888) 602-8494. Residents impacted by the storms can call or visit www.oklahoamdisaterlegalhelp.org. Legal issues they can help with include landlord/tenant issues, domestic violence issues, issues with contractors, etc. Oklahoma Indian Legal Services is available to support tribal members.

Oklahoma State Department of Health and Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps are providing Tetanus shots with two mobile strike teams in Pottawatomie County and three mobile strike teams in McClain County.

Oklahoma Insurance Department is available to help with any insurance issues. A unit has been deployed to Shawnee to help with claims. Call (800) 522-0071 or visit www.oid.ok.gov/after for assistance.

POWER OUTAGES

Oklahoma Corporation Commissions reports 1,198 outages statewide.

OG&E Total – 1,111
Shawnee – 1,089

Canadian Valley Electric Cooperatives - Total: 87
Pottawatomie County - 87

EMERGENCY PRICE STABILIZATION ACT IN EFFECT

The state’s price gouging statute is in effect for Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie 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 toll free at 833-681-1895. 

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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