SPRING SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS OKLAHOMA
May 11, 2024 – 12 p.m.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) remains in contact with emergency managers from cities, counties, and Tribal Nations 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, the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and many others.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
A State of Emergency remains in effect for Blaine, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Custer, Garfield, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Tillman, Wagoner, Washington, and Washita counties this morning due to severe storms, tornadoes, straight line winds, hail, and flooding that began on April 25. 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.
FEMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR SEVEN COUNTIES
Disaster assistance is now approved for Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray, Okmulgee, Osage and Pontotoc counties. 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 Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray, and Okmulgee counties may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
FATALITIES AND INJURIES
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed five fatalities related to storms beginning April 25 and continuing:
- Two in Holdenville (mobile home)
- One on Interstate 35 near Marietta (vehicle)
- One fatality in Sulphur (business)
- One in Barnsdall
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), 375 injuries have been reported by area hospitals statewide as a result of storms beginning April 25.
- 296 injuries reported by area hospitals from late April storms.
- 79 injuries reported by area hospitals from May 6 storms.
MASS CARE
Two American Red Cross shelters remain open:
- Osage County Fairgrounds, 320 Skyline Dr, Pawhuska
- Crossway First Baptist Church, 2108 W. Broadway Ave, Sulphur
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
American Red Cross is providing mobile feeding and emergency supply distribution in Osage and Washington counties. Meals will be served in shelters for as long as the shelters are open. They have served more than 6,400 meals in Osage and Washington counties.
The Salvation Army is supporting a responders’ canteen in Barnsdall and Bartlesville with drinks, snacks and meals.
In Barnsdall, volunteers are asked to check in each morning at Barnsdall Elementary School, 401 N. 10th Street. At that time, volunteers will be issued a wrist band that allows access into the residential area.
In Bartlesville, volunteers are asked to check in with Samaritan’s Purse at First Wesleyan Church at 1776 Silver Lake Road.
Resources for residents impacted by the storms are available at Barnsdall Elementary School, 401 N. 10th Street.
Mercy Chefs continues to provide hot meals in Barnsdall at Lighthouse Family Worship Center at 13749 OK-11, Barnsdall.
Osage Nation Health Services has a medical van available for first aid for residents and volunteers in Barnsdall.
Convoy of Hope has ice, water, gloves, batteries, and other supplies available for pickup at Barnsdall Assembly of God Church. Additional resources are available at a variety of locations in town.
The Humane Society is assisting with reunification of pets lost in the storms in Barnsdall. Their trailer is located at the Post Office at 520 W. Main Street.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) and Samaritan’s Purse chainsaw teams are working in Osage and Washington counties to help clear downed trees from resident’s property. Requests for a chainsaw crew and/or mud-out/flood recovery can be made by calling 1-844-690-9198 or visiting okdisasterhelp.org.
Hot showers are available at YMCA in Bartlesville for residents impacted by the storms. Planet Fitness at 514 SE Washington Blvd is also providing use of their showers.
Riverside RV Park at 1211 SE Adam Blvd Bartlesville has spots available for residents displaced by the storms to set up their RV at no cost.
SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is hosting Multi-Agency Resource Centers in southeast Oklahoma. These events bring together public agencies and nonprofits to offer people a “one-stop shop” for assistance and recovery resources and information.
- Sulphur - Faith Center Church, 2630 W. Broadway Ave. Open: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 11
- Ardmore - Ardmore Heritage Hall, 220 W. Broadway St. Open: 1-7 p.m. on May 15
- Marietta - Love County Fairgrounds, 502 N. 2nd Ave. Open: 1-7 p.m. on May 16
FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center opened today at the Murray County Extension Office, 3490 Highway 7 West, Sulphur.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center is open in Sulphur at the Parker Memorial Library, 500 W. Broadway, Sulphur.
Additionally, American Red Cross will have a service center open for Oklahomans affected by the April tornadoes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at 402 W. Main St. in Marietta.
Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, and Spokes of Hope have teams available to assist with debris cleanup in Murray County. NECHAMA has teams working in Hughes County. Call 1 (844) 690-9198 or visit okdisasterhelp.org to request assistance.
Residents can pick up donated goods like water, food, and other supplies at the Murray County Expo Center at 3490 Highway 7 West, Sulphur. Murray County is reminding residents they do not need any additional water or supplies donated at this time.
JAMM Transit is providing transportation in Sulphur to assist in getting resources for all who have been affected by this devastating tornado. Call 580-352-3124 for more information.
Big Five Community Services is offering its Love County transit service free of charge on all medical, pharmacy, chemo. treatments, kidney dialysis, doctor appointments, etc., along with any trips needed by citizens to get to and from employment. They are also offering free round-trips to Ardmore for groceries Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., and will continue to do so until not needed as Marietta's only grocery store was destroyed. The food bank in Marietta also continues to serve residents.
STATE SUPPORT
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management continues to coordinate Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management in numerous impacted counties.
Oklahoma National Guard is aiding with donations management support at the Murray County Expo in Sulphur. Four Oklahoma National Guard members have been on site since Wednesday.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services is providing Replacement SNAP Benefits to households affected by severe storms. If your household was affected the storms and you lost food due to extended power outages, you may be eligible to request replacement benefits. Submit your request form by May 28, 2024, to access replacement benefits.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports continues to provide traffic control and command support in Osage County.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation is assisting with road blocking and security in Osage County. They have provided portable electronic message boards for Sulphur and Barnsdall to share important messages for residents.
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is 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 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.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT DAMAGE
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking residents impacted by the storms to report damages to their property atdamage.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.
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.
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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