Henry: FEMA Approves Public Assistance

Governor Henry announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request for public assistance for three Oklahoma counties hit hard by this month’s severe storms and tornadoes.

Additionally, federal officials granted the governor’s request for another six counties to receive public assistance in the wake of the January ice storm.

The designation delivers federal funding to assist municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storms.

Carter, Coal and Love counties are approved for public assistance for the February 10 severe storms and tornadoes. Those same storms already resulted in individual assistance being approved Feb. 15 for Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties.

Comanche, Haskell, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee and Sequoyah counties are approved for public assistance for the Jan. 26 ice storm. Those counties join four others -- Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes -- already approved for public assistance.

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Ice Storm Prompts Emergency Declaration

From The Governor's Office ~ With much of Oklahoma being impacted by an ice storm, Governor Henry today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties in the state.

“Oklahomans know all too well that severe winter weather poses serious challenges to everything from roads and power lines to debris removal, and so it is important that we be prepared for the worst,” the Governor said.

The executive order marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

Additionally, the executive order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions.

The Governor also issued an executive order aimed at helping utility crews handle storm-related repairs, allowing a 30-day waiver on permit requirements for use of overweight and oversized vehicles.

In the meantime, Gov. Henry is in close contact with state emergency management officials to determine the needs of areas impacted by the storm.

Graphic courtesy KFOR-TV.

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