June 24 Situation Update 7

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

June 24, 2023 – 1 p.m.

SEVERE WEATHER CONTINUES TO IMPACT STATE

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated due to the impacts of severe weather that occurred June 17-18. 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, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, National Weather Service, Oklahoma American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and other Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. ODEMHS has also been working closely with the Governor’s office and state legislators representing areas impacted by the storms.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency is in effect for Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Harper, Mayes, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner counties due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and hail on June 17-18. The Executive Order marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary. The Executive Order also extends the temporary suspension of size and weight limits for oversized vehicles and equipment responding from out of state to assist with power restoration efforts. Waivers have been in place since Thursday, June 15 to ensure quick mobilization from out of state utility partners.

STATE SUPPORT

Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority continue to provide crews and heavy equipment to help clear debris from roadways and other locations in Tulsa.

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is working with communities that have experienced impacts or damages to their public water system or wastewater system as a result of the storms and power outages. DEQ reports 29 systems have been impacted. Of those, 21 have returned to normal operations. They are also working with cities and counties to set up debris sites.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security continues to work with cities, counties, tribal nations, state agencies, water districts, electric coops, and FEMA to assess and validate damages and response costs for a possible federal disaster declaration. Damage assessments are ongoing.

FATALITIES

The Office of The Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed two fatalities caused by the June 17-18 storms. The fatalities occurred in Creek and McCurtain counties.

MASS CARE

Residents in any county who need assistance with debris cleanup can call Crisis Cleanup at 918-205-1553 to request help from a volunteer team.

In Tulsa, residents can visit www.cityoftulsa.org/weather and select “Volunteer Disaster Assistance Request,” “Individual Volunteer Opportunities,” or Group Volunteer Opportunities” from the dropdown menu.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams are continuing to serve residents in affected areas. They are serving meals at Owasso First Baptist Church to support residents in the Tulsa metro area. They have chainsaw teams in Laverne and northeast Oklahoma assisting residents who need help with trees down on houses, vehicles, or blocking entries or driveways. Visit okdisasterhelp.org or call 844-690-9198 to request assistance.

Samaritan’s Purse also has chainsaw teams in the Tulsa area assisting with large debris clearing for residents.

Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps has been assisting with ice distribution.

American Red Cross continues to provide support for cooling centers and shelters. They have served more than 4,521 meals at cooling centers in affected areas.

Cooling centers and shelters are open at the following locations:

• Case Community Center, 1050 W. Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Catoosa Community Center, 109 E. Oak, Catoosa, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Crosstown Church of Christ, 3400 E. Admiral, Tulsa, Open overnight
• Jennings Senior Center, 308 N. Main, Jennings, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• River of Life Church, 521 E. Broadway, Drumright, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Southminster Presbyterian Church Community Center, 3500 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Open 24 hours
• St. Paul AME Church, 6308 E. Apache Street, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tulsa Dream Center North Campus, 200 W. 46th Street North, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tulsa Dream Center West Campus, 4122 W. 55th Place, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. 
• University of Tulsa Reynolds Center, 3208 E. 8th Street, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Vernon AME Church, 311 N. Greenwood Avenue, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• WL Hutcherson YMCA, 1120 E. Pine Street, Tulsa, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

If you currently have SNAP benefits but lost all your food due to the June 17-18 storms, you can request replacement SNAP benefits. Oklahoma Department of Human Services at 405-522-5050 within 10 days of food loss to request replacement benefits.

POWER OUTAGES

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission Reports 16,105 power outages statewide as of 11:45 p.m.

OG&E - Total: 182

No areas with >100 outages

PSO - Total: 15,434

By county, areas with >100 outages:

• Tulsa - 14,999
• Rogers - 123
• Creek - 102

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES - Total: 489

By county, areas with >100 outages:

Central Rural Electric Cooperative - Total: 228

• Oklahoma - 190
• Lincoln - 38

Indian Electric Cooperative - Total: 181

• Payne - 152
• Creek - 28
• Pawnee - 1

PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT

The state’s price gouging statute is in effect for Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Harper, Mayes, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner 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. 

Residents can also report suspected contractor fraud by calling toll free 833-681-1895.

RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE

Residents impacted by the recent storms can report damages to their homes, businesses, or agriculture at damage.ok.gov. Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

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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