Recovery Update 18 - Oklahoma Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Tornados

June 28, 2023, DR-4706/Recovery Update 18

Key Messages

As of June 28, 2,489 survivors have applied for disaster assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) FEMA has approved nearly $2.4 million to help Oklahoma residents in Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties recover.

Mitigation Specialist in Hardware Stores in McClain County

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Outreach Specialists are available at Ace Hardware and Garden Center and at Rock Hollow Garden & Hardware in Newcastle through July 8.

Hazard mitigation outreach specialists will be on hand to answer questions about rebuilding from previous disasters and protecting your homes from future disaster-related damage. Some of the topics include clean up, selecting a contractor and ways to reduce risks from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it- yourself work and general contractors and no appointment is needed.

Hazard mitigation outreach specialists are available at:

McClain County
Ace Hardware and Garden Center
987 E. Veterans Memorial Highway
Blanchard, OK 73080
Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday

Rock Hollow Garden & Hardware
3009 By Pass Road
New Castle, OK 73065
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mitigation Specialist will also have an information tent at the Blanchard Independence Celebration on Monday, July 3

McClain County
Blanchard Independence Celebration
10th and Highway 62
Blanchard, OK 73010
The event begins at 6 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Center to close June 29

The Disaster Recovery Center in Shawnee will close Thursday, June 29. Disaster survivors may visit with FEMA, State and nonprofit specialists at

Disaster Recovery Center

Pottawatomie County
130 N Louisa Ave.
Shawnee, OK 74801

The operating hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Thursday, June 29.

Application Information

If you have not applied for FEMA assistance, you should do so today.
Apply online at disasterassistance.gov.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. Help with your application or questions is available in most languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

You should apply even if you have insurance. You do not need to wait on your insurance settlement to apply. FEMA may provide financial assistance to eligible survivors who have uninsured or underinsured disaster- caused damage or loss.

Disagree with FEMA, File an Appeal

Oklahoma residents who don’t agree with FEMA’s assistance decision can submit an appeal and have their case reconsidered. The following steps to file a successful appeal include:

Understand why FEMA determined your claim ineligible before writing the appeal. Review why FEMA determined your application was It could be as simple as a missing document, which you can submit with your appeal.
Make sure you provide evidence for your Documentation, depending on your situation, may include:
- Proof of occupancy
- Proof of ownership
Know your You have 60 days from the date of your FEMA determination letter to appeal.
Don’t forget to sign your appeal Once signed, there are three ways to submit your appeal:
- Upload documents to your gov account.
- Fax it to 800-827-8112
- Send it by mail to FEMA National Processing Service Center, O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Include your application number on every page of the documents you
Expect a decision letter to your appeal within 90

FEMA May Bridge the Insurance Gaps

Oklahoma residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes of April 19-20 and whose home is uninsured or underinsured, FEMA may be able to help you fill in some gaps in your recovery.

FEMA cannot duplicate any benefit you may receive from your insurance and does not cover an insurance deductible as a disaster-related cost but may help you with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses or serious needs.

When applying for assistance, you will be asked to list the types of insurance you have to cover your home and/or personal property and the name of your insurance company if available.

You must supply FEMA with your insurance policy number or the agent and/or the company name. If you are unable to locate important documents, FEMA specialists will help you identify other ways to verify information. FEMA specialist will review your case and determine your eligibility.

Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud

As Oklahoma residents repair and rebuild their properties after the April 19-20 severe storms, those hiring a contractor should proceed with caution and heed the warning of local and state emergency management officials.

When looking for a contractor, stay patient. Research companies and resist the urge to make quick decisions in the moment. If you feel you have been defrauded by a contractor, report your concerns to your local law enforcement agency. You can also call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 that is available 24-hours a day, or report the potential fraud to Oklahoma Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit at 833-681-1895 or ConsumerProtection@oag.ok.gov.

Has Your Info Changed Since Applying for FEMA Assistance? Let FEMA Know

Make sure FEMA knows how to contact you and share information that may affect your application.

If you have new contact information or have received an insurance settlement, it is important to let FEMA know. FEMA may be trying to reach you regarding your application. Failing to keep FEMA in the loop could delay a direct deposit. Likewise, if you have received a settlement or letter of denial from your insurance company, that could change your eligibility.

FEMA Offers Access to All Disaster Survivors

FEMA and the state of Oklahoma are committed to providing disaster assistance to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Assistance is also available for those who communicate in languages other than English.

If you have a disability or require special assistance, please be sure to pay attention to the series of questions about reasonable accommodations on the FEMA application to ensure your specific needs are communicated.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability, ask FEMA when you apply or anytime throughout the assistance process. Here’s how:

Call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that The toll- free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week.

Small Business Administration

Federal low-interest disaster loans from the S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to Oklahoma businesses, homeowners, and renters impacted by the April 19-20 severe storms, straight- line winds and tornadoes.
As of June 28, the SBA has approved 103 loans for more than $6.2 million in low-interest loans for businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters to assist in their recovery from the severe storms, straight line winds and tornadoes in Oklahoma April 19-20.
For information on applying for a low-interests federal disaster loan through the S. Small Business Administration visit: SBA.gov/disaster.
Survivors can contact an SBA customer service representative via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955 for help applying. Survivors can also apply online at sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800- 877-8339.

Social Media

Major Disaster Declaration (April 24, 2023)

On April 24, McClain and Pottawatomie counties are designated for Individual
McClain and Pottawatomie are also designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under the Public Assistance program.
All 77 Oklahoma counties are approved for FEMA Hazard Mitigation
On May 8, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, was designated for Individual
On May 25, McClain and Pottawatomie counties were designated for Public

FEMA Products

News Release 001: Oklahoma Survivors in McClain and Pottawatomie Counties Can Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance

News Release 002: What to Expect After Applying for FEMA Assistance News Release 003: Oklahomans - Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster

News Release 004: Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in McClain and Pottawatomie Counties News Release 005: Cleveland County Disaster Survivors Now Eligible for FEMA

News Release 006: Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Cleveland County News Release 007: Hours to Change at Disaster Recovery Centers

News Release 008: Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud

News Release 009: Disaster Recovery Centers Closed for Memorial Day Weekend News Release 010: Hours to Change at Disaster Recovery Centers on June 1 News Release 011: FEMA May Bridge Insurance Gaps

News Release 012: Disaster Recovery Centers in Cleveland and McClain counties to Close June 10 News Release 013: FEMA Specialists to Offer Rebuilding Tips in Blanchard

News Release 014: Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance is Approaching News Release 015: Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance is Friday

News Release 016: Oklahoma Residents have one day to apply

News Release 017: The Deadline to Apply with FEMA is Today, but FEMA Remains in Oklahoma to Assist Survivors

News Release 018: FEMA Specialists to Offer Rebuilding Tips in McClain County

Fact Sheet 001: What Information Does FEMA Need When I Apply for Disaster Assistance? Fact Sheet 002: FEMA Offers Equal Access to All Disaster Survivors

Fact Sheet 003: Letters or Online Updates Provide Valuable Information for Survivors Fact Sheet 004: Replacing Lost or Missing Documents

Fact Sheet 005: You Asked: I’m a renter, can I get assistance from FEMA?

Fact Sheet 006: Resources for Repairing, Retrofitting and Rebuilding After a Tornado Fact Sheet 007: Has Your Information Changed Since You Applied for Assistance

Fact Sheet 008: Child Care Assistance May Be Available for Oklahoma Disaster Survivors Fact Sheet 009: Disagree with FEMA, File an Appeal

FEMA News Desk

To reach the FEMA Region 6 news desk, call 940-898-5454 or email FEMA-R6-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov.

For concerns and allegations of discrimination, please contact the Office of Equal Rights at headquarters at 202-212-3535 or FEMA-Civil-Rights-Program-OER@fema.dhs.gov.

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