Federal Emergency Declaration approved

Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Update: A warmer rain is melting ice Tuesday morning easing clean-up efforts slightly throughout NE Oklahoma. Forecasters predict rain throughout the day changing again to ice tonight as temperatures drop below freezing. Wednesday may not see much thaw with a projected high at 36 degrees.  Thursday may warm again, but rain with a chance of snow is predicted for Friday.  Click on the Tulsa Today weather link in the upper left navigation bar for the latest forecasts, radar and satellite images.

President George W. Bush has approved Oklahoma's request for a Federal emergency declaration covering all 77 counties. The emergency declaration authorizes federal resources to assist state and local governments as they continue to respond to the ice storm.  Tulsa County has been especially hard hit. Over the last two days as ice storms caused power outages to more than 200,000 in the Tulsa area.

"This federal declaration will enable the city to better serve our citizens as we try to meet the most critical needs during this emergency," said Mayor Kathy Taylor. 'Over the past two days I've been in contact with the governor and state officials. They have been instrumental in making sure this was prioritized due to the serious challenges faced by our citizens."

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s emergency disaster declaration issued for Oklahoma.

“Emergency” is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

Assistance for local governments can include as required:
•    Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
•    Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million.  If limit is exceeded, the President reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid.

How to Apply for Assistance:
•    Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 December 2007 )