A state of emergency is declared following damaging storms in Oklahoma. Governor Kevin Stitt's declaration covers Cleveland, Oklahoma, Garvin, Lincoln, McClain and Stephens counties. The order temporarily suspends size and weight limits for oversized vehicles and equipment responding from out of state to help with power restoration efforts
At least 11 people were injured and numerous homes destroyed after multiple tornadoes ripped through the Oklahoma City area Sunday morning.
Homes were destroyed in southeast Oklahoma City, and extensive damage was reported in Harrah and other nearby towns.
Newcastle Public Schools announced Sunday afternoon that Newcastle Elementary will hold virtual days, after overnight storms brought damage to the school.
Newcastle schools says all school sites will have normal in-person instruction on Monday apart from Newcastle Elementary which will have virtual days on Monday and Tuesday.
According to NWS Norman, their crew has assessed and found EF-3 damage in the surrounding area of Harrah and the damage in Newcastle will be rated at least EF-1.
These are preliminary ratings as NWS crew continue to survey the damaged areas.
Harrah officials say they will be issuing a curfew Sunday night for the affected areas.
Damage Assessments
As of 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, damage assessment teams are reporting the following:
- 39 structures destroyed.
- 43 structures with major damage.
- 54 structures with minor damage.
Report Damage
Residents can report storm damage to their property at damage.ok.gov.
American Red Cross
American Red Cross warming centers have been established in Shawnee and Choctaw.
People can also go to a Metropolitan Library close to them.
EMSA
EMSA transported 11 people to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. EMSA operations have returned to normal.
Vegetative Debris Collection
City officials are assessing the storm damage boundaries based on the storm track.
Once a storm assessment is complete, the City will announce the designated storm area and let residents know whether debris will be picked up on customers’ regular bulky waste pickup date or as part of a special storm debris collection.
The City’s collection of storm-related vegetative debris may be delayed depending on the amount of debris to be collected and the potential need to hire additional resources.
Residents with storm-related vegetative debris in the designated storm debris areas to be determined later this week should put it on their curb for pickup.
Cut tree limbs into sections 10-feet long or smaller, and stack them on the curb. Stack storm debris separately from regular bulky waste and away from mailboxes, poles, gas lines, water meters, trees and other obstructions.
Normal bulk waste disposal rules apply for other bulk waste in the affected area, including set-out date and volume limits. Mixing storm-related vegetative debris with other bulk waste on the curb could result in additional volume costs or early set-out violations.
Commercial properties – including businesses, churches, schools, nonprofits and other organizations – are not eligible for curbside pickup by the City and are responsible for their own debris collection.
Learn more about regular bulk waste collection at okc.gov/trash.
For questions, call Utilities Customer Service Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (405) 297-2833.
How to help
Donated items are NOT needed or requested by local officials at this time.
The best way to support people affected by the disaster is to make cash donations to reputable organizations responding to it. Cash allows relief organizations or survivors to purchase what they need, when and where they need it.
Please do not send unsolicited donations of used clothing, miscellaneous items or perishable foods, which must be sorted, warehoused, transported and distributed. This requires more effort and staffing to manage those resources and detracts from recovery efforts.