White House Approves Oklahoma Governor's Storm Aid Request

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Governor Brad Henry announced Saturday that President Obama has approved the state's request for an emergency declaration covering all 77 Oklahoma counties.

The declaration authorizes federal resources to assist state and local governments as they continue to respond to the severe winter storm. These resources include industrial size generators, bottled water, cots and blankets.

State authorities will continue to assess the need for additional federal disaster aid to cover further response and recovery costs.

Governor Henry requested the first federal aid Friday afternoon and the White House approved the request Saturday, less than 24 hours later.

1/29/2010  Related Story: Governor Henry Asks White House To Authorize Federal Disaster Declaration For Winter Storm

"We appreciate the President's speedy response to our request for federal aid and we will continue to stay in close touch with the White House and federal authorities as we recover from the winter storm," said Governor Henry. "Many Oklahoma communities have been hard hit by this latest round of winter weather and we will be doing everything possible help them in the days and weeks to come."

Oklahoma remains under a statewide declaration of emergency issued by Governor Brad Henry last week.