Henry Declares State Of Emergency For Ike Aide

Governor Henry has declared a state of emergency just in case Hurricane Ike evacuees from the Texas Gulf Coast are brought to Oklahoma.

Hurricane Ike is expected to hit Texas on Saturday, likely just west of Houston. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten says evacuees could begin arriving any time.

Henry's declaration clears the way for the state to get federal disaster assistance to cover expenses related to housing evacuees.

Oklahoma City police Sgt. Gary Knight says volunteers and emergency responders are preparing the old Lucent Technologies plant in western Oklahoma City to house evacuees; it's the same place used to house those who fled Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Gustav.

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