Governor Requests Federal Disaster Assistance

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Mary Fallin Sunday asked the White House to approve a major disaster declaration for seven counties impacted by tornadoes that last week left 10 dead and more than 1,000 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed.

The Governor's request for individual assistance includes Caddo, Canadian, Delaware, Grady, Kingfisher, Logan and McClain counties.

Gov. Fallin noted that other counties may be added to the request as additional damage assessments are completed.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the May 22-25 storms damaged at least 1,093 homes and businesses, including 439 that were destroyed.

If the request for individual assistance is approved, Oklahomans who suffered uninsured storm-related damage in the seven counties would be eligible for assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

Emergency management officials are also gathering information to request public assistance for infrastructure repairs and response costs associated with the storms in impacted counties.

Earlier this week, Gov. Fallin issued a state of emergency for 68 of Oklahoma's 77 counties due to the deadly storms. The executive order remains in effect.