Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Announces FEMA Assistance Granted For 3 Counties Affected By Severe Storms

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday morning the White House has approved the state's request for disaster assistance for three counties in the state.

Stitt's office said the assistance will benefit both individuals and business owners impacted by severe weather on Apr. 27-28 in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties.

Stitt said the state will continue to request additional counties be added once damage assessments are completed.

“I appreciate the support and quick action from the White House and FEMA in approving Oklahoma's request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of devastating storms,” Stitt said. “As damage assessments continue, I will request aid for all counties that suffered losses to homes or businesses, whether from tornadoes, flooding, or other severe weather.”

According to Stitt's office, severe storms on Apr. 27 and Apr. 28 left 4 people dead and nearly 300 injured. Damage assessments on Monday found 238 homes damaged in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties, and of those, 58 had major damage and 136 were destroyed.

Damage assessments found $8.35 million in debris and emergency response costs in the three approved counties, including more than $7.7 million in debris removal costs in Murray County alone, the governor's office said.

In a release issued by Stitt's office, the FEMA designation delivers assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, low-interest loans for individuals and businesses from the US Small Business Administration to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

FEMA released a press release saying:

"FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Oklahoma to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding beginning on April 25, 2024 and continuing. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Hughes, Love and Murray counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance in Hughes, Love and Murray counties. Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Benjamin Abbott has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments."

To apply for disaster assistance, the release said individuals and business owners in Hughes, Love, and Murray counties may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov.