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 Gaynor said he anticipates 4,000 residents and businesses in Oklahoma will sign up for disaster assistance.

“To be among people that have endured this and are now emptying out their homes, all their earthly possessions but still have the strength, the resilience, the smiles on their faces… Oklahoma is inspiring the nation,” Pence said.

Pence toured the Town and Country area in Sand Springs – one of the areas hit hardest by flooding.

“The relationships my team has built with the White House has been invaluable as we got quick, quick response to get FEMA dollars here to northeast Oklahoma,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said.

Estimates are that about 300 homes and businesses were flooding Town and Country Addition west of Sand Springs. In all of Sand Springs, about 115 buildings were flooded. Bixby had as many as 50 buildings affected by floods and there were an indeterminate number of affected buildings in Broken Arrow, Owasso, Sperry, Turley and Skiatook.

“I will take back to President Trump that the need here is real. The action he took here this last weekend was more than warranted,” Pence said.

The River Spirit Casino, which was built on the east bank of the Arkansas River near 81st Street, was damaged by flooding. It could remain closed throughout June as cleanup and repairs continue.

Parts of Tulsa were asked to evacuate and floodwaters covered some residential streets.

The River Parks trail along the river sustained heavy damage, including some sinkholes and collapsed running paths. Repairs could wind up costing millions. 

The basketball courts at the Gathering Place park were covered with flood waters.

As many as 50 homes in Candlestick Beach, near Keystone Dam west of Sand Springs were flooded.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center opened an SBA Business Recovery Center in Tulsa on June 6 to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began May 7, 2019.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding inflicted on Oklahoma businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said SBA’s Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” she added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The center will open as indicated below.

The location is the Business Recovery Center at Langston University, 914 North Greenwood Ave., Room 203. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.s

“SBA customer service representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application,” Garfield said.

According to Garfield, businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

For those who are unable to visit the center, they may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information, visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster  or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

The deadline to apply for property damage is July 31. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 2, 2020.