Wednesday, April 27, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for 11 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding.
The counties included in the declaration are: Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, LeFlore, McCurtain, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Ottawa, Pittsburg and Sequoyah.
Since Thursday, Oklahoma has experienced at least three tornadoes and widespread flooding. East central areas of the state have received 10 to 13 inches of rain. Some homes and businesses sustained damage as well as many roads and bridges.
Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.
Further damage assessments are expected to begin next week.