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From: Ronald Goad (goad{at}lakewebs.net)
Date: Sun May 11 2003 - 18:27:05 EDT
Situation Update
Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2003 - 6 p.m. - Update #3
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelann Ooten, Public Information Officer
SEVERE WEATHER'S IMPACTS CONTINUE
FOR OKLAHOMANS
President Bush Issues Disaster Declaration
Round two of the latest severe weather in the state continued Friday night, May 9th. A tornado followed a path from southeast Canadian County around west, northwest, north and northeast Oklahoma County and then proceeded northeast along the Turner Turnpike. Severe damage was reported by several businesses, numerous aircraft were damaged at Wiley Post Airport, two churches received major damage, Putnam City West High School had major roof damage and a housing addition at 122nd Street and Chester Road sustained major damage. No deaths were reported but 11 individuals were injured, two critically. Early and accurate warnings were again credited with the low number of injuries.
The storm continued along the Turner Turnpike to Stroud where city buildings and vehicles received damage. No injuries were reported. The city had numerous downed trees and debris. Most homes received minor shingle damage. One home sustained major damage. Power was out for most of the city. Utility crews hope to have power restored to the northern part of Stroud before the evening. The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and the following reports have been received
FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANTED
In response to Gov. Brad Henry's May 9 letter requesting disaster relief and emergency assistance, President George W. Bush issued a disaster declaration this morning for the counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from severe storms and tornadoes that began May 8. Affected residents and business owners in these counties can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available starting Sunday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Available disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses, according to Michael D. Brown, Federal Emergency Management Agency director and undersecretary for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. In addition, Brown said federal funds will be provided for the state and affected local governments in the counties of Cleveland and Oklahoma to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal and emergency services related to the disaster. The declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. Brown indicated that more counties and additional forms of assistance for the state and local government agencies may be designated later based on
the results of ongoing damage assessments.
INJURIES
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Health report 11 injuries in Friday night's storm. Injuries in the May 8 storm stand at 134. Eighteen were admitted to hospitals. No fatalities were reported.
DAMAGES
May 8 damages
Moore Emergency Management officials report:
300 homes destroyed, 300 homes with major damage, 300 homes with minor damage, 150 homes affected, 30 multi-family homes with major damage, 22 businesses with minor damage and 6 businesses with major damage.
Choctaw Emergency Management officials report:
29 homes destroyed, 28 homes with major damage, 47 homes with minor damage, 223 homes affected, 3 mobile homes destroyed and 1 mobile home with minor damage.
Oklahoma County Emergency Management officials report the following damages in Oklahoma City and Midwest City:
93 homes destroyed, 400 homes with major damage, 400 homes with minor damage, 15 mobile homes with minor damage, 10 multi-family units with major damage, 15 businesses with major damage and 5 businesses with minor damage.
May 9 damages
Stroud Emergency Management officials report:
1 home with major damage, 30 homes with minor damage.
Jones Emergency Management officials report:
4 homes with major damage, 1 home with minor damage, 7 homes affected, 6 businesses destroyed, 3 businesses affected and 1 public building affected.
DEBRIS REMOVAL
Those unable to handle debris removal may call the United Methodist Committee on Relief at (405) 530-2029
POWER OUTAGES
Oklahoma Corporation Commission officials report OG&E has 8,300 homes and businesses without power, primarily in central Oklahoma. All 80 outages for Central Rural Electric in Luther have been restored. AEP/PSO reported there are current storms in Tulsa with 553 customer outages. Oklahoma Natural Gas turned off the natural gas service to 81 houses in the NW 50th and N. Rockwell area due to damage to the houses.
DONATIONS
Strongly recommend donations are monetary to American Red Cross, The Salvation Army or the disaster relief agency of choice.
ANIMAL TORNADO VICTIMS
The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter reports they are holding numerous animals found in the storm affected areas. Photographs of the animals will be shown on CityView, Channel 20 in Oklahoma City. To claim an animal, go to the shelter from noon to 4:45 p.m. daily. Animals can be brought to the shelter daily from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Shelter workers will pick up animals that are injured and in need of being destroyed by calling (405) 297-2255. The shelter can only hold tornado victim animals for 14 days.
CHILD CARE
Child care is available for pre-school and younger children of families affected by the disaster at St. Matthew's Methodist Church, 300 N. Air Depot, , from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning Monday, May 12. The church can care for up to 50 children at a time. Question can be directed to the church at (405) 732-6831.
SHELTERS AND CANTEENS
The American Red Cross has opened shelters at the following locations:
In Moore -- West Moore Community Church, 12609 S. Western and Moore Community Center, 1-35 and Fourth Street
In Bethany -- First Church of the Nazarene, 42nd & Asbury
In Stroud -- First Christian Church, 323 W. Fourth Street
The Salvation Army reports the following canteen locations:
In Bethany - 50th & Muller, 50th & Rockwell
In Choctaw -- 15th & Henny
In Moore - I-35 & 12th Street and Fifth & Santa Fe
In Oklahoma City - 85th & Sunnylane, 44th & Westminster and NW 122nd & Sooner Road
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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