[ARRL-OK] Situation Update 3

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2008  9 p.m.  Situation Update 3

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Michelann Ooten, Public Information Officer





STATE CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO, RECOVER FROM TORNADOES

Damage assessment teams to survey Picher Monday



A strong storm system moved across Kansas Saturday, producing strong wind
shear aloft. As this system approached, tropical moisture from the Gulf of
Mexico moved into Oklahoma. This combined with daytime heating to produce
a very unstable atmosphere. Storms rapidly developed Saturday afternoon
and became super cells. These storms went on to produce numerous tornadoes
as they moved east at 35-45 mph.

Injuries and Fatalities

The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office reports 6 fatalities
related to the tornado in Picher. Two males and four females died due to
the tornado. Earlier today, seven fatalities were erroneously reported. We
regret the error.

About 150 injuries reported in the Picher area.



Governor Tours Damage Area

Gov. Brad Henry today toured Picher with Oklahoma Department of Emergency
Management (OEM) Director Albert Ashwood, Oklahoma Secretary of the
Environment Miles Tolbert, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
Commissioner Kevin Ward and Oklahoma Adjutant General Harry M. Wyatt III.
He called the damages in Picher breathtaking and profound and vowed to do
everything possible to ensure that those impacted by the tornadoes receive
the assistance they need to recover.



Damages

Ottawa County Emergency Management reports homes, businesses and vehicles
were destroyed in a 20-square-block area at the south end of Picher. In
some cases, only a home’s concrete slab remains. The storm downed power
lines, utility poles and trees.



The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reports all areas in Picher have been
cleared by search teams. Thirty-four members of Tulsa’s Urban Search and
Rescue (USAR) Team worked with local responders and volunteers to search
the damage area.



Today Picher residents were allowed access to their property and many
began sifting through their damaged property in search of salvageable
items. Residency is being verified by the address listed on their
driver’s license. Non-residents are not allowed entry and numerous
roving patrols are established to prevent any looting.



Pittsburg County Emergency Management reports homes were damaged in
Haywood after a tornado hit in the community southwest of McAlester. A
tornado was also reported near Crowder.



Additionally, a tornado was reported near Clayton in Pushmataha County.



Damage Assessments

Tomorrow, a joint federal-state damage assessment team from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA), and OEM will join Ottawa County Emergency Management officials in
conducting preliminary damage assessments (PDAs). The team will work in
the Picher area to determine the unmet financial needs of those whose
homes and businesses sustained damage in Saturday’s tornado. The team
will also be available to conduct PDAs in other areas as additional damage
reports are received.



Shelter

The American Red Cross continues to operate a shelter at the First
Christian Church in Miami. They have served more than 500 meals. The Red
Cross is also providing refreshments for rescue workers.



The Salvation Army is feeding first responders and residents in the
hardest hit areas of Picher. Additionally they are providing emotional and
spiritual care for those impacted by the tornadoes.



State and Local Assistance

*Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) personnel continue to provide perimeter
control and other assistance in Picher. Command One, the state’s mobile
command unit is on site to assist response efforts.
*Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel are on site
assisting local response efforts.
*The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports highways 69 and 69A
remain closed in and out of Picher.
*Oklahoma National Guard personnel continue to assist OHP with perimeter
control.
*Additionally, many emergency managers, fire, law enforcement and
emergency medical first responders continue to assist in Picher.
Jurisdictions represented include Commerce, Quapaw, Miami, Wyandotte,
Fairland, Afton, Bartlesville and Cherokee.



Power Outages

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports about 2,500 homes and
businesses are without electric service due to the storms. This includes
400 Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative customers and 2,100 Empire
District Electric Company customers in the Picher, Peoria and Commerce
areas.



Dial 211

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human
service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are
available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular
telephone.

l Tulsa Area/Green Country, dial 2-1-1 or 918-836-4357
l OKC Metro/Central OK, dial 2-1-1 or 405-286-4057
l Southeastern OK, dial 2-1-1 or 580-332-0558
l Northeast OK, dial 2-1-1 or 918-336-2255
l Southwest OK, dial 2-1-1 or 580-355-7575