Oklahoma Flood Displaces Thousands

  Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people, 500 homes and 30 businesses in Miami and the surrounding area have been evacuated ... The Neosho River crested late Tuesday at 29.25 feet, lower than officials had predicted but still more than 14 feet above flood stage

 

FORECAST...THE NEOSHO RIVER NEAR COMMERCE HAS CRESTED AND IS
FORECAST TO FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

Gov. Brad Henry today asked President Bush to approve a major disaster declaration to help Oklahomans impacted by the severe storms and flooding of recent weeks. ... If the White House approves Gov. Henry’s request, Oklahomans who suffered flood damage would be eligible for assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs. ... Assessment teams are continuing to survey public infrastructure damages throughout the state. The governor will officially seek public assistance after a sufficient number of surveys are completed. In many cases, flood waters are preventing assessment teams from examining damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
... all 77 Oklahoma counties remain under a State of Emergency he declared in May. That executive order provided a formal mechanism for local governments to seek reimbursement for recovery costs through the state’s disaster public assistance program as conditions warrant.