Oklahoma Seeking Federal Disaster Declaration for December Storm

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is asking the federal government to declare parts of the state as a disaster area following a winter storm that caused flooding and dropped ice and sleet.

Fallin sought a major disaster declaration on Jan. 29 in connection with a severe storm that began on Dec. 26.

Fallin requested individual assistance for homeowners, renters and business owners in nine counties. She is seeking public assistance in 41 counties to aid municipalities, counties, rural electric cooperatives and the state with infrastructure repairs and costs associated with the storm.

Preliminary assessments indicate 108 homes were destroyed and 99 others were damaged. In addition, the winter storm caused an estimated $48 million in infrastructure damages and response costs.

The storm caused power outages at more than 200,000 homes and businesses.