President Obama Declares Oklahoma A Disaster Area

The declaration allows state and local governments to be reimbursed for expenses associated with responding to the storm. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13956295" target="_self">Gov. Fallin Asks White House To Approve Disaster Declaration</a>

Wednesday, February 2nd 2011, 10:49 pm

By: News On 6

President Obama Declares Oklahoma A Disaster Area

NewsOn6.com

WASHINGTON, Oklahoma – President Obama declared Oklahoma a disaster area Wednesday night.

The declaration allows state and local governments to be reimbursed for expenses associated with responding to the winter storm. It also allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to "coordinate" disaster relief efforts.

Earlier Wednesday, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin asked the White House to approve the declaration. Fallin declared a state of emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties on Monday.

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the Board of County Commissioners declared Tulsa County a disaster area Wednesday.

"We Oklahomans are independent, but we also pay taxes to the federal government. Money received for disaster relief will help us stretch the taxpayers' dollars and lessen the impact on county services," said Commissioner Fred Perry, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.

Tulsa set a record Tuesday for the amount of snowfall in a 24-hour period, as 14 inches was recorded at Tulsa International Airport.