Gov. Declares State of Emergency Due to Tornadoes, Severe Storms

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today declared a state of emergency for 12 counties due to severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds that occurred Friday, November 30.

The counties included in the governor’s declaration are Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Muskogee, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Sequoyah, and Tulsa.

Under the governor’s executive order, state agencies may make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The executive order is in effect for 30 days, and could be amended to include additional counties if needed.

Communities continue their cleanup efforts following the storms. In northwestern Sequoyah County, multiple homes, boats and power lines suffered damage. In Cherokee County the Snake Creek Marina at Lake Tenkiller was completely destroyed.

The National Weather Service tracked two tornadoes across the area with projected wind speeds of 115 to 125 miles per hour. Up to three other tornadoes were being investigated in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.

Severe thunderstorms also raked Illinois and Missouri. One person was killed in Missouri and up to 100 homes damaged in Illinois.

A second round of storms are expected to hit the state later this week. The National Weather Service is forecasting snow, sleet and freezing rain to move east into Oklahoma by Friday. The storm will also impact portions of southern Kansas, the Texas Panhandle and northern Arkansas.

(Images courtesy Dustin Butler/Tahlequah Daily Press)