SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS STATE
May 1, 2024 – 5 p.m.
The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated due to impacts from recent severe weather. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers across the state and is coordinating with agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, 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, and the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
FEMA ASSISTANCE GRANTED
Gov. Kevin Stitt today announced the White House approved the state's request for disaster assistance for three counties hardest hit by recent tornadoes and severe storms: Hughes, Love and Murray counties. The state will request additional counties be added to the declaration as damage assessments are completed. Residents are asked to report damage online at damage.ok.gov to help ensure all areas of damage are included in the assessments.
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.
INJURIES, FATALITIES, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported four storm-related fatalities: two in Holdenville, one on Interstate 35 near Marietta and one fatality in Sulphur.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health totaled 296 injuries reported by area hospitals:
1 Burn
62 Cut/Pierce
77 Falls
7 Poisoning
59 Struck by or Against
56 Transportation Related
34 Other
The Chickasaw Nation has a mobile medical van parked just north of the Artesian on the elevated parking lot to provide urgent care for minor medical needs. There is no cost to receive medical care, insurance is not needed, and you don’t have to be a tribal member – anyone with a minor medical need is welcome. Hours are currently 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. but may change depending on demand.
Local health departments in the impacted areas are offering tetanus shots, free of charge. One of the hazards of tornado debris and clean-up is the risk of tetanus, which is a life-threatening infection. So, if someone has an injury that has broken the skin and it’s been more than five years since their last tetanus shot, it is recommended to present for evaluation and possible booster shot.
The Love County Health Department (LCHD) was directly affected by Saturday night’s storms and is currently closed. There is no timeline for when the building will reopen. Clients are being directed to the Carter or Marshall County Health Departments.
Appointments scheduled for Thursday, May 2, will take place on the LCHD mobile unit, or if clients would like, they can move their appointment to the nearest health department location:
- Carter County Health Department: 405 S Washington St., Ardmore, OK 73401
- Marshall County Health Department: 310 W Lillie Blvd., Madill, OK 73446
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have been volunteering in Holdenville to help distribute resources, load cars and assist strike teams handing out essential supplies. On Thursday, May 2nd, volunteers will assist with the demobilization of the Oklahoma State Department of Health resource center and move resources to a local church.
The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Stress Response Team, our mental health response trained volunteers, will provide Psychological First Aid support at the Love County Expo and Murray County Expo on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
OKMRC Stress Response Team (Stress Response Team) will be providing mental health support to staff from the Arbuckle Hospital in person in the hospital conference room on Friday and Saturday from 2-7 p.m. daily. On Sunday, May 5, SRT will have an open Zoom meeting where individuals can call in talk with an volunteer. Opportunity to meet with SRT members will be open to hospital staff, as well as local EMS and police.
DAMAGE REPORTS FROM STORMS BEGINNING APRIL 30
Comanche County Emergency Management reports flash flooding and minor wind damage near Cache. Some roadways and bridges are estimated to need repairs.
Cotton County Emergency Management reports flooded roads and downed power lines.
Kay County Emergency Management reports a direct lightning strike to an underground natural gas line in Newkirk with a secondary residential structure fire. Two homes were evacuated.
Kiowa County Emergency Management reports hail damage in Roosevelt and flooding in Hobart area.
Tillman County Emergency Management reports damage to an airport hangar and outbuildings in Loveland, as well as multiple downed trees and flooding.
Washita Emergency Management reports approximately 60 homes and businesses in Cordell had some level of damage.
MASS CARE
Two American Red Cross shelters are open:
- Crossway First Baptist Church, 2108 W. Broadway Ave., Sulphur
- Christ Community Church Ardmore, 2620 Mount Washington Road, Ardmore
A third American Red Cross shelter is ready, if needed, at First Baptist Church, 215 N. College Street, Cordell.
American Red Cross has been on the ground in more than a dozen counties across the state helping Oklahomans affected by severe storms and flooding. In Morris, they brought emergency supplies to help residents begin cleaning up. In Sulphur, they offered care and comfort to people whose homes were badly damaged or destroyed while attending to medical needs, working to reunify families, keeping records of prospective volunteers, and hosting state and federal officials.
Red Cross has provided more than 1,800 meals to responders and the community and will continue to do so at their shelters and through mobile feeding in Carter, Love, Murray and Washita counties.
Mercy Chefs is providing hot meals for impacted residents at Crossway First Baptist Church, 2108 W. Broadway Ave in Sulphur.
The Salvation Army is providing first responder and community feeding in Carter, Love, and Murray counties. Each service will run until no longer needed. Emotional and spiritual care workers are also available.
Operation BBQ Relief is distributing meals to the Sulphur community at the Walmart Supercenter, 2705 W. Broadway Ave., for as long as needed. The organization will also have roving meal distribution throughout town.
Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has 10 chainsaw teams deployed (four in Morris and six in Sulphur) and is providing mass feeding for the Salvation Army and Red Cross in Sulphur, serving an average of 500 meals per sitting and will continue as long as needed. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)-trained chaplains are also available for affected residents and first responders.
Team Rubicon has deployed Greyshirt volunteers to assess damage and unmet needs in communities across Oklahoma and is planning to begin a full operation to assist survivors in Murray County on Thursday, May 2. Greyshirt volunteers are prepared to assist the community with muck outs to clear debris, roof tarping, and chainsaw operations to cut down damaged trees.
Also helping with clean-up in Sulphur, Morris and Holdenville are: Minuteman Disaster Response, Samaritan’s Purse, Hope Force, Crossings Community Church, Christian Aid Ministries and NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster.
Crisis Clean-Up has opened a hotline for the public to request clean-up help. It may be used by any affected community. Survivors can call 580-440-0126 to request help.
Lowe’s managers and associates have spent several days in Sulphur, traveling door-to-door to deliver tornado totes packed with clean-up supplies. They also donated water, tools and gloves.
Convoy of Hope is delivering several loads of essential supplies — including food, water, sports drinks, rakes, totes, tarps, hygiene kits, and more — to Sulphur and Ardmore.
HOW TO HELP
Volunteers who wish to help with clean-up in Sulphur can check in at the Murray County Expo Center at 730 Cambridge Drive in Sulphur.
For those wishing to donate, cash is best. Financial contributions are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating to support recognized disaster relief organizations on the ground. Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has a list available of member organizations and donation guidance at https://okvoad.org/donate-2/. Many VOAD members have restricted funds for their storm response.
BancFirst locations statewide are accepting donations for the Sulphur community. Funds are administered by Crossway Church of Sulphur. Donate online at bancfirst.bank/sulphur or in person at any BancFirst location.
For a list of all statewide BancFirst locations, visit bancfirst.bank/locations
POWER OUTAGES
Approximately 2,000 outages are reported statewide. Counties with the highest number of outages are Love, Pontotoc, Tillman and Carter.
ROAD CLOSURES
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following highways, interstates, or turnpikes are impacted by recent storms or flooding:
CHEROKEE COUNTY
- SH-80 is now open west of Hulbert.
MURRAY COUNTY
- All lanes of east and westbound SH-7 are closed between Woodruff Rd. and US-177 in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up
- All lanes of north and southbound US-177 are closed between Lawton Ave. and Denney Rd. in Sulphur due to severe weather clean-up
- Drivers are urged to avoid the area. For drivers who cannot avoid the area, a local detour is in place.
PITTSBURG COUNTY
- SH-63 is now open are closed between Crawley Rd. and Hopper Rd.
TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN
During flooding conditions, motorists are reminded:
- Don't drive around barricades if a roadway is closed.
- If you see high water, turn around and do NOT enter.
To check current road conditions in Oklahoma, call
the Road Conditions Hotline at 844-4OK-HWYS (844-465-4997)
or go to www.okroads.org.
STATE SUPPORT
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) staff are coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and local emergency management on preliminary damage assessments. OEM staff are working in the field providing technical assistance and support.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission provided Transportation Enforcement officers to assist in emergency response in Love County, including traffic control, blockades and assisting electric companies with access to affected areas. Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Love County Port of Entry worked within Marietta to control access control to the Emergency Operation Center, patrolled and secured damaged buildings, and provided traffic control for utility workers.
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality reports they are working with municipalities and counties to register sites for their storm debris. Visit their website for more information on cleanup for residents and local jurisdictions: https://www.deq.ok.gov/external-affairs-division/for-media/severe-weather-flooding-information/
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol continues to help with traffic control in and around damage sites in numerous locations.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation i ODOT crews have been assisting with clean-up efforts in Sulphur, Marietta, and Holdenville.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is available to help residents with issues they may have with their insurance claims. Call the Oklahoma Insurance Department Consumer Assistance Division at 800-522-0071. You can also find more information about preparing for storms and reviewing your insurance coverage at oid.ok.gov/get-ready.
PRICE GOUGING STATUTE IN EFFECT
The state’s price gouging statute is in effect. 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.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told residents to beware contractors who go door-to-door, demand upfront payment and use aggressive sales tactics. Agents from the OAG’s office will be visiting communities with storm damage to help prevent contractor fraud, and residents may report fraud to 1-833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by the 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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