2 Panhandle counties named disaster areas

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By The Associated Press
Published: July 11, 2008

Drought so severe it has been likened to that of the Dust Bowl era has resulted in two counties in the Oklahoma Panhandle being designated for federal disaster relief benefits.

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Cimarron and Texas counties received the designation Thursday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a statement issued by U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne.

Last Thursday, Lucas joined Oklahoma's two U.S. senators, Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, in a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, asking for an agriculture disaster declaration for nine counties in northwestern Oklahoma, including Cimarron and Texas counties.

Last month, the U.S. Drought Monitor upgraded the situation in the Panhandle to its most severe drought rating, "exceptional.”

The declaration makes farm operators in the counties eligible for federal aid.


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Related Topics: U.S. Government, Domestic Policy, Political Policy, Politics, Weather, U.S. Congressional News, Disaster Relief, Agriculture Policy, Drought


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tu, Oklahoma City - Jul 11, 2008 11:19 AM
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Turn those two counties into giant solar power stations. Flat land with lots of sunshine.
Terry, Yukon - Jul 11, 2008 8:36 AM
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