Gov. Kevin Stitt met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in Washington, D.C. to discuss Oklahoma agriculture and how the state and federal government can work together to support Oklahoma farmers and ranchers in the wake of flooding. “I was honored to meet with Secretary Perdue as we talked about ways to move Oklahoma…
In relation to natural disasters and crime, Oklahoma is not a very safe place to live, according to a new national study. Among the 50 states, Oklahoma is ranked No. 44 in terms of overall safety, according to WalletHub.com’s “2019’s Safest States in America.” “With every new headline about a mass shooting, terrorist attack, hate…
In a visit to Tulsa last week, Vice President Mike Pence praised local recovery efforts and promised help for restoration following a series of tornadoes and flooding. President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, paving the way for federal assistance from FEMA. Acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Pete…
Tulsa area residents who got flooded in the recent storms are questioning the policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concerning the timing and the rates of release of water from the Keystone Dam. Why, they ask, didn’t the Corps order more water released when heavy rains were forecast? If Keystone Lake had been…
President Donald Trump has declared a major disaster in Tulsa, Wagoner and Muskogee counties in the wake of the recent tornadoes, heavy rains and flooding that started May 7. This means Oklahoma businesses and residents can apply for low-interest federal disaster loans, according to, U.S. Small Business Administration’s acting Administrator Christopher M. Pilkerton. Businesses of…
Historic levels of water released from Keystone After a week of torrential rain, tornadoes and a mild earthquake, the biggest potential for damage to the Tulsa metro area will be flooding from the Arkansas River. In order to save Keystone Dam, the Army Corps of Engineers increased the release of water at Keystone Dam Monday…
Many communities across the state are dealing with flooded areas after the recent storms. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds the public that floodwater and standing water can be dangerous, making a person vulnerable to diseases, chemical hazards and injuries. Floodwaters contain many potential hazards such as downed power lines, household trash, medical…
Disasters can alter a family’s normal routine with little warning. Neighborhood streets can be closed because of large debris or downed power lines. Suddenly, an area that is a familiar part of a normal daily routine is now unrecognizable. In times like this, it is crucial for a family to have a plan to reunite…
In an effort to prepare communities for a public health emergency, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) recently ran exercises across the state to ensure readiness if the need for mass immunization arises. Local coordinators and regional planners from the agency’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Service coordinated efforts in setting up a point of…
More than 50 experts from around the country will share their knowledge on disaster preparedness and recovery at the 2019 National Tornado Summit March 4-6 in Oklahoma City. “This conference is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover how to prepare for the worst but also how to recover quickly and efficiently from all types of disasters,”…