The ice storm and its effects are not over for our region and its many communities. Thousands are still without power or access to things we all consider part of normal life. Rain with a possibility of some snow are in the forecast. But we are not alone in this stressful time. In the logo for Altus Emergency Management there are 3 stars. According to Lloyd Colston, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Altus, the first star is for local responders, the second one is for state and the third for federal support.

Local Efforts

We see our local responders all around, City and County workers are laboring in various capacities for all of us. Volunteers have come out to support others in various ways. Commissioners and council members have been meeting daily, if not more often, to bring solutions to ensuing dilemmas.

State Declaration

On the state level, Oklahoma remains under a State of Emergency, as declared by Gov. Henry on Jan. 27. The State of Emergency allows state agencies to make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The executive order provides a formal mechanism for local governments to seek reimbursement for recovery costs through the state's disaster public assistance program if conditions warrant.

Federal Assistance

On the federal level, Oklahoma remains under an emergency disaster declaration. On Saturday President Barrack Obama approved Gov. Henry's request for the federal disaster aid covering all 77 Oklahoma counties. The emergency declaration authorizes federal resources to assist state and local governments as they continue to respond to the severe winter storm. These resources include industrial size generators from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, bottled water, FEMA cots and blankets. The need for additional federal disaster aid to cover further response and recovery costs is currently being assessed.

Coordinated Efforts

To maximize and coordinate efforts, the State and Altus Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) remain activated. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas, such as Altus. Agencies and organizations represented in our area include the: American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 2-1-1 Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.

More than 100 generators have been deployed through the State EOC to provide power to critical facilities like shelters, water treatment plans and hospitals in communities impacted by the storm. The Oklahoma National Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered the generators.

Resources to support local efforts, including bottled water, blankets, cots and meals ready to eat (MREs) which were secured through the federal government, continue to be deployed through the State EOC.

Please note these generators are not for residential use. These generators are being used to help at water treatment plants, shelters, and hospitals.

Injuries and Fatalities

Ice storm-related injuries in our state continue to climb. At least 904 slip and fall injuries, 222 injuries from motor vehicle accidents, 98 other injuries and 18 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning related to the storm have been reported statewide. State health department officials urge those who are using portable generators to make certain they are not placed for use indoors or in garages, basements or sheds.

Seven fatalities are attributed to the winter storm.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol has worked 568 storm related crashes, including 120 involving injury since the storm began.

Power Outages

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports 30,571 homes and businesses are without electric service due to the winter storm. PSO reports 3,634 customers without power including 1,190 in Hobart. The Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority reports 7,015 customers without power, 3,750 in Altus. The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) reports 19,922 customers without power 2000 in Hollis (Harmon Electric) and 1000 in Tipton (SW Rural Electric).

Dial 211

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. 2-1-1 is a statewide service. Please only call 911 for emergencies.