SPRING SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS OKLAHOMA
May 15, 2024 – 5:30 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 EIGHT COUNTIES
Disaster assistance is available for Carter, Hughes, Love, Murray, Okmulgee, Osage, Pontotoc, and Washita 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.
INJURIES AND FATALITIES
The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed six fatalities related to storms beginning April 25 through May 9:
- Two in Holdenville (mobile home)
- One on Interstate 35 near Marietta (vehicle)
- One fatality in Sulphur (business)
- Two 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 through May 9.
MASS CARE
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recovery specialists are on site in Barnsdall at the Osage County District 1 Barn at 506 S. 5th Street, in Barnsdall. FEMA and SBA staff will be available from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily to assist residents with applying for federal assistance, answer questions about FEMA programs, and check status of FEMA applications.
Service Oklahoma will have a team at the Osage County District 1 Barn at 506 S. 5th Street in Barnsdall, on Thursday, May 16 to help residents with driver’s license and motor vehicle service needs. Fees are available online at oklahoma.gov/service. During the Barnsdall visit, Service Oklahoma will provide the following services:
- Driver License and State ID Card Replacements
- Assist customers with online motor vehicle services
- Assist in obtaining a duplicate motor vehicle titles
Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is hosting a Multi-Agency Resource Center in Barnsdall on Saturday. Multi-Agency Resource Centers bring together public agencies and nonprofits to offer people a “one-stop shop” for assistance and recovery resources and information.
- Barnsdall Elementary, 401 S. 10th Street, Open: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.
The American Red Cross Shelter for Barnsdall residents displaced by the May 6 storms has moved to B the Light Church, 219 Virginia Ave., Bartlesville. Meals will be available while the shelter is open.
American Red Cross also has caseworkers available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday this week at the Osage County District 1 Barn, 506 S. 5th Street, Barnsdall.
The Salvation Army is supporting a responders’ canteen in Barnsdall with drinks, snacks and meals.
In Barnsdall, volunteers are asked to check in each morning at Barnsdall Elementary School, 401 N. 10th Street. Donated items for residents impacted by the storms are available to pick up at Lighthouse Family Worship Center, 13749 OK-11, and Barnsdall Assembly of God, 120 N.3rd Street, in Barnsdall.
In Bartlesville, volunteers are asked to check in with Samaritan’s Purse at First Wesleyan Church at 1776 Silver Lake Road.
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.
The Osage County Health Department will have a Community Health available from noon-3 p.m. in the health department van next to the Community Center, 616 W Main St, Barnsdall.
SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
A Disaster Recovery Center with FEMA, SBA, and the State is open at the Murray County Extension Office, 3490 Highway 7 West, Sulphur. Hours: 7am-7pm daily.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center is open in Sulphur at the Parker Memorial Library, 500 W. Broadway, Sulphur.
Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is hosting Multi-Agency Resource Centers in southern Oklahoma. These events bring together public agencies and nonprofits to offer people a “one-stop shop” for assistance and recovery resources and information.
- Marietta - Love County Fairgrounds, 502 N. 2ndAve. Open: 1-7 p.m. on May 16
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 (OEM) continues to coordinate Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management in numerous impacted counties.
Service Oklahoma is supporting residents in Barnsdall with on-site driver’s license services.
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 debris removal from roadways in Barnsdall. 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.
ROAD CLOSURES
Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the following highways, interstates or turnpikes are impacted by severe weather clean-up efforts or high water:
- Lincoln County - SH-18 is closed between SH-66 and County Rd. 930.
- Mcintosh County - US-266 is closed east of Checotah in a work zone due to high water.
For up-to-the-minute closures, visit www.okroads.org.
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.
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