3 Oklahoma Counties Get Federal Disaster Declaration

Statewide, severe weather has killed six people and injured 118. Officials say over 900 homes were damaged, including 335 which were destroyed. The declaration allows federal aid for Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.

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(TNS) — President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in three Oklahoma counties that have been devastated by flooding, tornadoes and other severe storms.

The declaration allows federal assistance for Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties, which have experienced record-breaking flooding and intense tornadoes since May 7.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says the state will request that additional counties be added to the declaration.

Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided in Haskell, Kay, Le Flore, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, and Sequoyah counties, federal officials said.

Across the state, severe weather has killed six people and injured 118. Officials say more than 900 homes have been damaged, including 335 which were destroyed.

Assistance will include funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, low-interest federal loans, disaster unemployment assistance and possible grants.

Oklahoma City area rains have damaged property in recent weeks and eroded areas along the North Canadian River. As floodwaters recede in central Oklahoma, dead fish may appear in areas that were under water recently.

In areas along the Oklahoma River on Sunday afternoon, waters were still high and swift, and more rain is possible Monday. Water was above normal and remained out of banks near the Eastern Avenue dam and at SW 15.

In Canadian County, where recent rainfall has flooded farmland and caused damage along the North Canadian River, El Reno has reported 16.08 inches of rain for May, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet website. El Reno has had 26.51 inches of rain this year.

In 2018, El Reno reported a total of 31.29 inches for the year.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Red Cross reported Sunday recovery efforts continued statewide for flooding- and tornado-affected areas. There were 118 people Saturday in seven Red Cross and community shelters, and volunteers were out in affected communities delivering food and relief supplies.

To report any environmental concern related to flooding, call the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality hotline at 800-522-0206.

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©2019 The Oklahoman

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