Severe Weather Situation Update #4 -- Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Due to widespread tornado damage, the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated – although at reduced levels. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahom Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service, National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). The State has launched a website, www.okstrong.ok.gov  , to provide up-to-date information and resources. Individuals affected by the storm are urged report their whereabouts on the American Red Cross website, www.safeandwell.org .

The Oklahoma National Guard remains activated, with 122 members deployed in 46 vehicles throughout the area. The Guard is also assisting with providing drinking water to the area. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports 86 law enforcement personnel from state and federal agencies on 49 perimeter checkpoints. Moore officials report they have enough responders on scene at this time, and ask that additional resources and volunteers please stay away from the affected area unless specifically requested.

Responding agencies and organizations are continue their collabroation to organize resources to feed up to 40,000 people over the coming days.

FATALITIES

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports 24 fatalities related to Monday’s storms. Two fatalities are attributed to Sunday’s storms.

INJURIES

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports 237 injuries as a result of Monday’s storms. The injuries include 148 individuals who sustained cuts or pierces, 85 individuals who were struck by objects, and four individuals who were struck by vehicles and/or other large objects.

HEALTH SERVICES Moore Hospital was damaged by the tornado Monday. Thirteen patients were transported to area hospitals. Due to low water pressure Tuesday, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South relocated 14 patients. The Oklahoma City-County Health Department will be offering tetanus shots to rescue workers, volunteers and residents in affected areas. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) has established an emergency response center within the tornado disaster zone in Moore at the Cleveland County Health Department, 424 S Eastern Ave. in Moore. ODMHSAS is also coordinating volunteer efforts and providing mandatory training for behavioral health professionals wishing to assist with services for those in need. Licensed mental health professionals, certified case managers or certified recovery support specialists who would like to assist victims should call (405) 522-3908. To be admitted into the disaster zone, volunteers must have received training and hold a valid identification badge. Badges will be issued by the ODMHSAS at the completion of training.

Individuals who want to volunteer to help with disaster relief should register on the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC) website at www.okmrc.org. OKMRC is designed to bring together different healthcare-related organizations and members of the community, including physicians, nurses, public health workers, and other medical professionals. In addition, volunteers without a background in medical training are needed.

TRANSPORTATION
Northbound and southbound lanes of I-35 through Moore have been reopened. However, the public is encouraged to avoid the area if at all possible. All I-35 offramps in the Moore area remain closed.

DAMAGED STRUCTURES
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is assisting OEM in the process of assessing damage to structures. The assessment is ongoing due to the wide scope of damage sustained in the affected area. FEMA officials are also assessing the need for temporary housing for affected individuals.

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
President Barack Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties. The declaration makes individual assistance available to tornado survivors in those counties. All affected individuals, regardless of income level or insurance policy status, are encouraged to apply for individual assistance. Homeowners, renters and business owners in those counties are encouraged to register with FEMA for potential recovery assistance. Survivors can register online at disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.The same counties were also approved for public assistance to include debris removal, emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes due to the storms. The President’s declaration allows HUD to offer certain foreclosure relief and other assistance to certain families living in the five disaster counties. Individuals who were receiving HUD rental assistance before the disaster should contact their Public Housing Authority, multi-family apartment manager or local HUD office for help in locating temporary housing.

SCHOOLS Classes at Moore Public Schools have been canceled for the remainder of the school year. Graduations will continue as planned.

COMMUNICATIONS Wireless telecommunications providers are taking steps to boost wireless communications capabilities in the area.

WATER Power was restored this afternoon to the Draper Water Treatment Plant. Water pressure remains below normal levels at businesses and residences. Water utility customers are asked to continue conserving water usage until further notice. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality does not believe water is unsafe to drink. However, those who completely lost water service or whose homes sustained structural damage are encouraged to voluntarily boil water before consumption as a voluntary precautionary measure.

CONSUMER PROTECTION Investigators with the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office are investigating instances of price gouging and ask that anyone who experiences price gouging to contact the AG's Office immediately on the fraud hotline at (405) 521-2029. The practice is illegal. Also, the first scams typically seen following such tragic situations are charity fraud. Please stay alert and only donate to reputable charities.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES Recipients of SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program commonly known as "food stamps") whose households were impacted by the storms and have lost their food benefit cards should contact their county Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) worker and request a lost food replacement. Persons needing food assistance can apply for SNAP at their local county OKDHS office.

SHELTERS AND MASS CARE

An estimated 306 individuals are in American Red Cross shelters.

The American Red Cross has opened the following shelters:
St. Andrew's United Methodist Church - 2727 SW 119, Oklahoma City
Newcastle Storm Shelter - 851 N Carr, Newcastle
Moore Community Center - 201 S Howard, Moore
First Baptist Church of Moore - 301 NE 27th St., Moore

The American Red Cross encourages the use of their website, www.safeandwell.org, which is designed to help family and friends reunite.

Additionally, the following American Red Cross shelters from Sunday remain open:
Carney Senior Center - 301 Maple Avenue, Carney
Shawnee High School Athletic Center - 1001 N Kennedy, Shawnee
Little Axe Resource Center - 1970 156 Ave NE, Norman
The University of Oklahoma Housing & Food Services is open for those displaced by the tornadoes. For more information, please call 405-325-2511.

FEED THE CHILDFREN  will be accepting donations of diapers, canned goods, non-perishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks, and cash donations at the following locations in Oklahoma City:
1. McCormick Warehouse at 29 N McCormick from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. First Baptist Church at 1201 N Robinson
3. KOCO at 1300 W Britton Road
4. Faith Tabernacle Church at I-40 and Portland
5. TLC Garden Center 105 W Memorial The Salvation Army had five canteens deployed to the Moore area Tuesday afternoon, with two more en route. Two canteens remained in Shawnee on Tuesday afternoon. The Salvation Army is coordinating with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief for meal preparation for the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to then distribute. The Joplin chapter of AmeriCorps was en route to assist in response efforts on Tuesday afternoon.

POWER OUTAGES
Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 19,500 outages related to the storm.

PSO Total - 1,541
Idabel area (includes Broken Bow, Valiant, Wright City) - 1,066
Atoka - 278
McAlester - 6
Wilburton - 39
Stigler - 9
Okemah - 4
Hugo - 3
Henryetta - 7
Chouteau - 107
Tulsa NE - 2
Tulsa NW - 4
Tulsa SE - 9
Chickasha - 7

OG&E
Total: 13, 743 (includes Arkansas)
Ada - 95
Ardmore - 338
Moore - 9,555
Norman - 160 OKC
North - 419
OKC South - 125
Tishomingo - 462
OKC METRO TOTAL: 10,259

Canadian Valley Electric
Total - 190
Shawnee, McLoud - 173

Central Rural Electric
Total - 889 Lincoln County - 1,003
Logan County - 1
Oklahoma County - 5

Lake Region Electric Cooperative
Total - 54
Coweta, Wagoner areas

Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative
Total - 133
Craig County Ketchum, Disney, Grove

Oklahoma Electric Cooperative
Total - 2,021
Most in Moore, SE OKC

Ozarks Electric
Total - 60
Adair County

People’s Electric
Total - 236
Hughes, Pontotoc Counties

Southeastern Electric Cooperative
Total - 650
Durant area

ANIMALS
Stray animals are being taken to the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter at SE 29th and Bryant to be reunified with their owners. Further animal reunification efforts are underway.

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