SPRING SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS OKLAHOMA
May 13, 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.
FEMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR SEVEN COUNTIES
Disaster assistance available 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.
MASS CARE
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
One American Red Cross shelter is open at Osage County Fairgrounds, 320 Skyline Dr, Pawhuska.
American Red Cross is providing mobile feeding and emergency supply distribution in Osage and Washington counties. Meals will be served in the shelter for as long as the shelter is open.
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. Resources for residents impacted by the storms are available to pick up at the Barnsdall Public Schools Fieldhouse and the Community Center at 616 W. Main Street.
In Bartlesville, volunteers are asked to check in with Samaritan’s Purse at First Wesleyan Church at 1776 Silver Lake Road.
Mercy Chefs continues to provide hot meals in Barnsdall through lunch on Wednesday 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.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), Samaritan’s Purse, and NECHAMA have 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.
SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
The American Red Cross shelter at Crossway Church in Sulphur closed today at 10 a.m. Red Cross teams are working with shelter residents to help them find their next housing solution.
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.
- 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 is open 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.
Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, and Spokes of Hope have teams available to assist with debris cleanup in Murray County. Call 1 (844) 690-9198 or visit okdisasterhelp.org to request assistance.
Residents can still 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.
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 Department of Transportation is assisting with storm and flood related road closures. 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 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.
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.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
A State of Emergency is 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.
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.
###
