Cleveland County approved, McClain County denied for individual assistance

For The Transcript

Federal authorities have approved additional disaster assistance in response to the deadly flooding and other severe weather that occurred Aug. 18 through Sept. 12.

Gov. Brad Henry announced last week that Cleveland County was among the 12 counties that were approved for individual assistance. However, McClain County's bid for federal assistance was denied.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will return to Cleveland County to assist affected individuals and businesses Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 at the Smalley Reserve Center at Lindsey Street and Wylie Road. An announcement with more detail will be forthcoming from the state.

Other counties approved were Canadian, Comanche, Custer, Grady, Kiowa, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Stephens. Blaine, Caddo and Kingfisher counties were previously approved for individual assistance.

Citizens in those 15 Oklahoma counties are now eligible to receive federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

Low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property.

Along with McClain County, the governor's request for individual assistance for Dewey, Lincoln, Logan and Payne counties was denied. State emergency management officials will continue to search out available assistance for the families affected in these counties.?

Federal officials also approved public assistance for the 20 counties of Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Garvin, Grady, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Logan, McClain, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Stephens and Washita.

Public assistance helps cities, towns and counties repair damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Preliminary damage assessments identified more than $21 million in infrastructure damage in these counties.