Truemors
Recent rains in Oklahoma have led to massive flooding of the Neosho River near Miami, Oklahoma. Thousands of residents were displaced from their homes and ordered to evacuate the city over the last week, as the river crested at over 29 feet on Wednesday, 14 feet above flood stage. Hundreds of homes have been either destroyed or damaged. The Red Cross is operating shelters within the area, as well as providing aid. The waters are not expected to return to within the Neosho's banks until Sunday morning.
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has asked President Bush to approve a major disaster declaration within the area, paving the way for large-scale government recovery assistance. Currently, survey teams are obstructed by the large amount of flood water still within the city and are unable to make an accurate appraisal of the damage. Until the waters recede and the amount of damage is made clear, Henry will not officially seek public assistance.
Currently, all Oklahoma counties are under a State of Emergency declared by the governor in May. This allows for local governments to seek aid through the state's disaster public assistance program.
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.
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