Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry declares state of emergency in 31 counties

 
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT - Capitol Bureau | Modified: April 11, 2009 at 7:49 am | Published: April 10, 2009    Comment on this article Leave a comment


The governor today declared a state of emergency for 31 counties where wildfires and severe weather caused widespread damage.

Under his executive order, state agencies may make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to speed up the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

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Damage in Choctaw

Apr 10Residents survey the damage from Thursday's fires.

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Aerial view of the destruction

Apr 10View damage from the wildfires that damaged areas in...

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Red Cross Shelter in Midwest City

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Oklahoma Wildfire

Apr 10Governor Henry has declared a state of emergency.

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Ann Kelley offers first-hand account of fires

Apr 10The Oklahoman's Ann Kelley talks about covering recent...

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Photos: Oklahoma grassfires

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Responders speak at command post

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Scenes from Midwest City

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'A Total Loss'

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Counties included in the executive order are: Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Stephens, Tillman and Washita.

LeFlore County is included because of damages sustained from a tornado and severe storms. More counties can be added to the order as additional information becomes available.

The declaration is part of wide-ranging state efforts to pool resources and assess damages after wildfires Thursday injured at least 49 people and damaged or destroyed an estimated 100 homes and other structures. Midwest City and the nearby towns of Choctaw and Nicoma Park were especially hard hit, but fires caused significant damage in many other sections of Oklahoma.




If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.

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