Tuesday, April 5, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin announced today she has asked the White House for a major disaster declaration related to the first February snow storm.
The latest request seeks a major disaster declaration for the severe winter storm for 16 Oklahoma counties impacted January 31 through February 5. The request would deliver public assistance to the following counties: Craig, Creek, Jefferson, Logan, Mayes, Nowata, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.
“The severe winter storms caused widespread damage and cost local communities millions of dollars,” Fallin said. “This major disaster declaration will allow local and state governments to seek help with eligible infrastructure repair costs.”
Additional counties may be added to the public assistance disaster request as more damage assessments are completed.
Initial surveys estimate eligible state and local costs for the storm throughout these counties exceed $8.7 million. If granted, a public assistance disaster declaration would authorize federal funding to assist cities, towns and counties with eligible infrastructure repairs and costs associated with their response to the snow storm.
Gov. Fallin declared a state of emergency in Oklahoma on January 31. She later requested and the White House approved a federal emergency declaration that authorized direct federal resources to assist with response efforts, which included bottled water, cots, blankets and MREs (meals ready to eat).