Number Of Deaths From Monday's Tornadic Storms Lowered To Two

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED --  The number of official deaths related to Monday's storms has been reduced to 2, according to the State Department of Emergency Management.

A 41-year-old male was killed near SE 59th and Peebly Road in Oklahoma City.

A 27-year-old female was killed off Rock Creek Road near Norman.

A mother's three children were erroneous reported as deceased. State Health Department officials have confirmed the children remain in critical condition at an Oklahoma City hospital.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 104 people were treated for storm related injuries at hospitals across the state.

Governor Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency in 56 Oklahoma counties.

"Lives and property have been lost, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are suffering because of these storms," Gov. Henry said. "As usual, the response of emergency management officials and first responders has been exemplary and we are ready to do whatever it takes to help victims of these storms rebuild and recover." 

The storms that struck central Oklahoma also moved into eastern Oklahoma.

Storm damage was reported in Okemah, Henryetta and Checotah.

Most of the damage around Okemah and Henryetta was trees and power lines, but as those storms moved eastward, there was structural damage near Checotah, Gore and Webbers Falls.

Officials say at least 5 people were injured in Brewer Bend Public Use Area, Near Webbers Falls, OK.

5/10/2010 Related story: 5 Dead In Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak

Governor Henry will take an aerial tour of some of the hardest-hit areas in central Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon.

In a release from the governor's office, the executive order is the first step toward seeking federal assistance.

In addition, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management officials are in the midst of preliminary damage assessments to determine the extent of damages.

The counties included in the state of emergency are: Alfalfa, Atoka, Beaver, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Harper, Haskell, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Marshall, Mayes, McIntosh, McClain, Murray, Muskogee, Noble, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tillman, Tulsa, Washita and Woodward.

The Red Cross office in Tulsa says they have deployed Disaster Action Teams to McIntosh County for damage and assistance needs assessment.

Statement from Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry:

"We are working to coordinate state and local response efforts as the storms continue to move across the state.

Many communities have already suffered damages and we are doing everything we can to deliver them the help they need.

Emergency management officials, state troopers and other first responders are in the field and will remain there as long as assistance is needed.

I'm urging all Oklahomans to stay aware of the changing weather conditions, monitor television and radio forecasts and move quickly to take appropriate tornado precautions if they believe they are in the path of a storm.

If your community has already been impacted by a storm, please heed the warnings and directions of your local authorities, refrain from touring damaged areas and allow first responders to do their job.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Oklahomans who have been impacted by the storms. We will be doing everything we can to help them in the hours and days to come."

The map below shows where tornadoes were spotted Monday in Oklahoma. The information is from the National Weather Center. The data is considered preliminary.