Oklahoma Governor Declares Emergency in Tornado Wake

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has declared a state of emergency in 12 counties following storms that included a tornado that’s blamed for the deaths of five people in Woodward.

Fallin toured the Woodward area by helicopter on Sunday and said afterward that emergency responders in the area were “remarkable” in their response.

Fallin said her emergency declaration is due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that began Friday.

Counties included in the declaration are Alfalfa, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Ellis, Harper, Jackson, Kiowa, Logan, Oklahoma, Woods and Woodward. More counties can be added if conditions warrant.

Fallin’s order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases needed to expedite the delivery of resources to the counties and is the first step toward possibly asking for federal assistance.