Governor requests disaster aid

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gov. Mary Fallin has requested federal disaster assistance for Cleveland, Grady and Oklahoma counties following tornadoes, severe storms and flooding in recent weeks.

Fallin sent a letter to President Barack Obama Tuesday that says Oklahoma’s latest round of severe storms began May 5. Since then, the state has experienced widespread flash flooding, damaging winds, baseball-size hail and at least 25 tornadoes.

Three Oklahomans have died because of the storms. In addition, 828 homes and businesses were damaged. Of those, 157 were destroyed and 237 sustained major damage.

Fallin says the threat of still more storms, tornadoes and flooding continues. The governor also says additional counties could later be added if a disaster declaration is granted. Damage assessments of storms that struck other parts of the state May 16-17 are continuing.