Governor Brad Henry declares state of emergency for Delaware County

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for Delaware County, which suffered extensive tornado damage over the weekend.<br/><br/>The tornado left a damage path a half-mile

Monday, March 13th 2006, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for Delaware County, which suffered extensive tornado damage over the weekend.

The tornado left a damage path a half-mile to one-mile wide and 15 to 20 miles long Sunday night, according to the governor's office.

The heaviest damage was reported in an area stretching from Twin Oaks to Colcord, where eight residents were injured.

At least 36 homes were destroyed and another 31 homes and five businesses were damaged, based on initial reports. The Grand River Dam Authority and the Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative also reported damage to their systems.

The state of emergency declaration is a prelude to any request for federal aid that might be warranted because of the tornado damage. In the days ahead, a team of federal, state and local authorities will conduct a more comprehensive damage assessment.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Delaware County affected by the recent tornado," Henry said. "We Oklahomans know well the potential for havoc that comes from this season, but that doesn't make it any easier when your community is devastated by a tornado."