FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2017
Governor Mary Fallin Declares State of Emergency Due to Approaching Storms
OKLAHOMA CITY –
Governor Mary Fallin today declared a state of emergency for all 77 Oklahoma
counties due to severe winter weather predicted for the state.
Because the weather event is expected to include dangerous road conditions and
power outages, emergency management authorities recommended issuing this
declaration before the full brunt of the storms arrive.
Winter storms,
snow, freezing rain, ice, severe storms, tornadoes, straight line winds and
flooding may impact different parts of the state during the next two or three
days.
“Emergency
personnel are coordinating with state and local officials to ensure we are
prepared and ready for whatever comes our way,” said Fallin.
Fallin’s disaster
emergency order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to
disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeking
federal assistance should it be necessary.
The governor also issued another executive order
that waives licensing requirements for vehicles
bringing in materials and supplies used for storm relief. Eligible materials
are those that provide direct assistance for the immediate restoration of
essential services, such as electrical, sewer, water and telecommunications.
Essential supplies include feed, food and fuel.
In preparation for
the storm, the state Emergency Operations Center will be activated at 7 a.m.
Friday. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is working with
local emergency managers across the state as well as numerous emergency response
and recovery partners. OEM, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma National
Guard and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation have developed a stranded
motorist plan to be implemented in areas of the state with the greatest risk
for dangerous road conditions.
Additionally, OEM
has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to preposition
industrial size generators in the state. The generators will be used in the
event shelters are needed due to stranded motorists or power outages. The
generators will also be used to provide power to water treatment plants in the
event of electric service disruptions. The FEMA generators will augment the
industrial size generators OEM already has positioned around the state.
The American Red Cross,
Salvation Army, Baptist Disaster Relief and other agencies are standing by to
assist with warming and feeding stations.
Both executive
orders last for 30 days.
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