State of emergency: Oklahoma begins to repair damage from weekend tornadoes
(The Center Square) – At least three people have died as a result of storms that blew through Oklahoma over the weekend, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM).
Two of the deaths occurred in Holdenville and another one on Interstate 35 near Marietta, the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed.
Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a State of Emergency for twelve counties that were hit with severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail and flooding Saturday, OEM said.
The governor toured storm damage in Sulphur and Holdenville on Sunday, saying the emergency disaster will open up resources for those communities.
“We’ll build back stronger than ever before – that’s my promise to Sulphur, Holdenville, and every Oklahoma community facing loss today,” Stitt said.
His executive order also extended the temporary suspension of size and weight limits for oversized vehicles and equipment for responders coming from out of state to assist, according to OEM.
The state of emergency also triggers the state’s price gouging statute that prohibits an increase of more than 10% for the price of goods and services and enables the attorney general to charge people or businesses that take advantage of storm damage through price gouging, OEM said.
Oklahomans reported nearly 22,000 power outages and at least 100 injuries.
In Holdenville where the governor visited Sunday, Hughes County Emergency Management said 14 homes were damaged or destroyed. Love County Emergency Management reported damage to the Marietta Hospital where patients had to take shelter during the storm.
In Pittsburg County, emergency management conducted three swift water rescues, OEM reported.
Sen. James Lankford was also in Sulphur touring storm damage.
“We pray that everyone impacted gets some much-needed rest tonight because there is so much work to still be done,” Lankford said Sunday. “Everyone can help some to get our neighbors back on their feet.”
Iowa was yet another state that saw severe weather with 17 tornadoes across the state on Friday and more storms expected Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The Des Moines National Weather Service said Monday it anticipates severe storm chances Tuesday afternoon with the possibility of tornadoes along with damaging winds and large hail.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation in Pottawattamie County Friday activating the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program to help qualifying households pay for home repairs, car repairs, replace food or clothing and cover temporary housing expenses, according to the governor’s office.
