Rep. Cole to tour fire-ravaged areas

Congressman Tom Cole is planning a ground tour of fire damaged areas of southern Oklahoma.

Wednesday, April 15th 2009, 2:25 pm

By: News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Congressman Tom Cole is planning a ground tour of fire damaged areas of southern Oklahoma.
   The Republican will tour the Velma area starting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday followed by a tour of areas in Carter County.
   State officials have said 100 to 150 homes were destroyed statewide by the fires that began in dry, windy conditions last Thursday.
   The Midwest city area was also hard hit.
   A regional insurance expert has estimated insured property losses from wildfires could reach $20 million dollars.
   Federal Emergency Management Agency inspectors are currently in the state to estimate the extent of uninsured loss to help determine how much federal disaster aid that may be made available.