Ponca City Refinery-
In response to the recent tornado activity impacting the Ponca City area, Phillips 66 is announcing $200,000 in community support funding to strengthen emergency preparedness and assist local recovery efforts.
While the community was fortunate to avoid widespread catastrophic loss, the recent storms caused damage to numerous homes and business structures across multiple areas of the city. In the immediate days following the tornadic activity, community leaders identified opportunities to enhance public safety infrastructure and address immediate recovery needs for residents.
To support these priorities, Phillips 66 is providing a $150,000 grant to the City of Ponca City, OK to upgrade and enhance its storm siren system, including the automation of siren activation. These improvements are intended to ensure faster, more reliable emergency alerts and provide critical warning time for residents during severe weather events.
“Safety is at the core of everything we do at Phillips 66, and that commitment extends beyond our operations to the communities where we live and work,” said Jim Baron, Vice President, Phillips 66. “While Ponca City was fortunate in many respects, this event reinforced the importance of being prepared. By supporting enhancements to the city’s storm siren system and investing in recovery efforts, we are taking both proactive and responsive steps to help protect our neighbors and strengthen community resilience for the future.”
“We are grateful for Phillips 66’s continued partnership and their investment in the safety of our community,” said Craig Stephenson, City Manager of Ponca City. “This grant will modernize our outdoor warning siren system by allowing automatic activation when a tornado warning is issued for our area, reducing response time when every second matters. The upgrades will also provide remote status monitoring so we can quickly verify functionality and better ensure our warning system is ready when residents need it most.”
In addition, Phillips 66 is allocating $50,000 in disaster recovery assistance through United Way of North Central Oklahoma to support local residents impacted by the storms. These funds will help address cleanup, debris removal, and property-related needs for individuals and families affected by storm damage.
“In times like these, the strength of a community is reflected in how we come together to support one another,” said Tara Goldman, Executive Director of United Way of North Central Oklahoma. “We are incredibly appreciative of Phillips 66 for entrusting United Way to help administer these recovery funds. This support will make a direct impact on individuals and families facing storm-related challenges, helping them recover, rebuild, and move forward. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when neighbors step up to help neighbors in need.”
Safety and preparedness are central to Phillips 66’s values, and the company remains committed to supporting the communities where it operates—not only in times of need, but through proactive investments that help reduce risk and improve resilience.
Phillips 66 will continue working closely with local leaders and community partners to ensure resources are directed where they are needed most and to support the ongoing safety and well-being of the Ponca City community.
