Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that began Friday.
 
The counties included in the declaration are: Alfalfa, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Ellis, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Logan, Oklahoma, Woods and Woodward.
 
The declaration can be amended to add additional counties if conditions warrant.
 
Since Friday, these Oklahoma counties have experienced tornadoes, straight line winds, damaging hail and flooding.  Damage assessments continue in the hardest hit areas, including the city of Woodward where a large tornado has resulted in extensive damage to  homes and businesses as well as numerous fatalities.
 
Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those families who have lost loved ones or seen their homes destroyed,” Fallin said. “The state of Oklahoma is currently doing everything it can to provide relief to the communities in the path of last night’s storms and tornadoes. We will continue to work to provide every bit of assistance that we can in the coming days.”