Governor seeks disaster declaration
Gov. Mary Fallin has asked the federal government for help with May storm damage.
Fallin requested a major disaster declaration for more than a dozen counties that were hit with tornadoes, flooding and severe storms the period of May 16-20. The request covers areas across the state: Alfalfa, Beckham, Cherokee, Coal, Cotton, Delaware, Johnston, LeFlore, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Roger Mills and Washita counties.
If the declaration is approved, federal funds will be released to assist municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with cleaning up and repairing the damage. Fallin said local officials need help with debris removal, infrastructure repairs and other costs from responding to the storms.
A tornado killed one man near Elk City during the weather event, which injured dozens more and destroyed homes.
The storms also brought heavy rains that led to flooding in much of southern and eastern Oklahoma. Parts of Coal and Hughes counties received more than 7 inches of rain in 48 hours.
Residents also faced power outages and dangerous travel conditions, Fallin said Thursday.
Thirty-eight tornadoes were reported during the five-day period, including three near Elk City, Hanna and Muskogee. Damage assessments indicate the storms resulted in more than $6.5 million in infrastructure damage, debris and response costs.
Additional counties may be added to the request at a later date if conditions warrant.