FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2017
Major
Disaster Declaration Approved for May Storm
OKLAHOMA
CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today announced that the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state's request for
disaster assistance for 16 counties related to severe weather that occurred May 16-20.
The
approval means federal funding is available to assist municipalities,
counties, rural electric cooperatives and the state with infrastructure
repairs and costs associated with responding to the storm.
Disaster assistance is approved for Alfalfa,
Beckham, Cherokee, Coal, Cotton, Delaware, Johnston, Le Flore, Murray,
Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Roger Mills and Washita
counties.
The
storms caused extensive flooding, power outages and dangerous travel
conditions in the impacted counties. Thirty-eight tornadoes were
reported May 16-20, including three EF2 tornadoes near Elk City,
Hanna and Muskogee. One death and multiple injuries were attributed to
the storm.
Damage assessments indicate the storm resulted in more than $6.5 million in infrastructure
damage, debris and response costs.
Additional counties may be added to the public assistance declaration request at a later
date should conditions warrant.
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