Disaster Recovery Centers Opening In Oklahoma Counties

Gan Matthews, News9 and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are opening three Disaster Recovery Centers for people who were affected by tornadoes, severe weather and flooding that hit the state May 22-25.

By Noon on Friday, close to 40 people had visited the Center at the Blanchard Middle School. They were able to talk about assistance with representatives from FEMA, DHS, the Small Business Administration, Catholic Charities, and other agencies.

Kenny and Donna Smith lost their home last month. They're looking for any help they could get.

"Well, we need food and housing for sure," says Kenny Smith.

Storm victims are encouraged to bring receipts of all expenditures that are storm related. Besides Blanchard, FEMA has set up centers in Chickasha and Piedmont.

The centers will open Friday in Canadian, Grady and McClain counties and help will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in those three counties, along with Delaware, Kingfisher and Logan counties, may qualify to receive aid. The assistance may include grants to pay for rent and home repairs, replace personal property and to reimburse for storm-related expenses.

The centers are at Blanchard Middle School in Blanchard; Canadian Valley Tech Center in Chickasha and Piedmont High School in Piedmont.