OKLAHOMA CITY – The White House has approved Gov. Kevin Stitt’s March 21 request for federal disaster assistance for seven counties related to devastating wildfires.
The announcement means individuals and business owners in Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, and Payne counties who were impacted by the March 14-21 wildfires and straight-line winds may now qualify for disaster aid through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance disaster declaration.
The declaration approval comes two months after fast-moving wildfires left 4 people dead and more than 200 injured. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reports damage assessments in the seven counties found more than 530 homes and businesses were damaged in the fires, including 515 destroyed.
The designation delivers assistance from FEMA for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.
To apply for disaster assistance, residents in Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, and Payne counties may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
A separate declaration for SBA Disaster Loan Assistance was approved earlier this week for Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Pawnee, and Payne counties. Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) were also approved for 14 individual fires in Creek, Cleveland, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens counties.
Other counties could be added to the declaration in the future. Additionally, OEM continues to work with FEMA and SBA to determine if the state may qualify for aid for damages caused by storms and flooding in April and May.
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