FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR J. KEVIN STITT
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 1, 2024) Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that the White House has approved the state's request for disaster assistance for three Oklahoma counties hit hard by recent tornadoes and severe storms.
The disaster assistance benefits individuals and business owners impacted by severe weather April 27-28 in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties. The state will request additional counties be added to the declaration as damage assessments are completed.
The announcement comes after devastating storms last weekend left 4 people dead and nearly 300 injured. Damage assessments Monday found 238 homes damaged in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties. Of those, 58 had major damage and 136 were destroyed.
“I appreciate the support and quick action from the White House and FEMA in approving Oklahoma's request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of devastating storms,” Governor Stitt said. “As damage assessments continue, I will request aid for all counties that suffered losses to homes or businesses, whether from tornadoes, flooding, or other severe weather.”
The designation delivers assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (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 individuals and business owners in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Additionally, the declaration grants limited public assistance for state and local governments in the Hughes, Love, and Murray counties to assist with debris removal and emergency protective measures to include overtime for first responders.
Damage assessments found $8.35 million in debris and emergency response costs in the three approved counties, including more than $7.7 million in debris removal costs in Murray County alone.
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is working with FEMA, SBA and local emergency managers to complete additional damage assessments in other impacted counties as quickly as possible. Teams will survey storm and flood damage to homes, businesses, public properties, infrastructure, and more that occurred beginning April 25, 2024. Residents are asked to report damage online at damage.ok.gov to help ensure all areas of damage are included in the assessments.
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