Keating seeks disaster declaration in three counties

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Frank Keating has requested federal disaster aid for three northeastern Oklahoma counties inundated by<br>torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.<br><br>Keating said

Thursday, May 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Frank Keating has requested federal disaster aid for three northeastern Oklahoma counties inundated by
torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.

Keating said Thursday he requested the aid in a letter to President Clinton on Wednesday.

The letter seeks a presidential disaster declaration for Creek, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.

"Because of the severity of these impacted counties, we are requesting federal assistance in such areas as temporary housing,
individual and family grant programs, disaster unemployment and crisis counseling," Keating said.

Keating said the state cannot effectively respond to the disaster because of the geographic size of the disaster area and the amount of property damage that has been reported.

Heavy rains May 5-8 flooded homes in Sapulpa and Sand Springs.

About 400 homes were damaged after waters rose following as much as 8 inches of rain in the area.