State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma Following Severe Storms, Tornados

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of severe storms that swept across the state on May 6 bringing tornados, high winds, hail and flooding.

At least 39 tornados were reported to have touched ground yesterday. Most occurred in Oklahoma and Kansas but tornados also were spotted in North Texas and in Nebraska.

Twelve people were reported injured in Oklahoma and one woman was said to have drowned in a storm shelter in Southeast Oklahoma. One person was hurt in Kansas, according to a Weather Channel report.

A flood emergency was declared in Oklahoma City, its first ever.

Wednesday’s severe weather was expected to be the first in a round severe weather that could occur over several days, according to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

The counties affected by Gov. Fallin’s disaster declaration are Alfalfa, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Dewey, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Major McClain and Oklahoma.

Dozens of houses were destroyed in Amber and Bridge Creek in the Oklahoma City area, according to various media reports.

The National Weather Service says there is a chance of more severe storm systems moving through the southern plains again today.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt said the state’s price gouging statutes are in effect in the counties named in the disaster declarations. He warned Oklahomans to be wary of criminals who stream into communities to target tornado and flood-damaged homes and businesses with scams involving cleanup, removal, home repair and tree trimming.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Oklahoma