By Congressman Tom Cole
As it typically does, this Spring season is bringing severe weather to Oklahoma and throughout the United States. In fact, our state has set a new record for the most tornadoes ever recorded in the first seventy days of the year, according to data from the National Weather Service. On top of that, the Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated due to ongoing wildfires and straight-line winds in the state.
Therefore, as your Congressman, I first want to underline how important it is to stay prepared for tornadoes during this time in Oklahoma. You can find tornado preparedness resources I provided in a previous column here.
I also want to provide you with a brief situation update on the wildfires and wind in Oklahoma. As of now, Beckham County, Carter County, Custer County, Duncan Emergency Management, Edmond Emergency Management, Jackson County Emergency Management, Love County Emergency Management, Garvin County, Grady County, and Stephens County have all reported fires. In addition, Davis Emergency Management and Antlers Emergency Management both reported some roof damage due to wind.
At the height of the fire activity this past weekend, there were more than 25,000 power outages statewide – and 8,500 outages remain. Counties with the highest number of damages are Canadian, Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Cleveland.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation also reported multiple road closures due to the wind and fire conditions. In my district, I-35 in Norman was closed yesterday, but I am happy to report it has opened back up.
With all this being said, it is clear that severe weather season is underway. Yet, due to the Senate Democrats’ reckless decision to shutdown the Department of Homeland Security, the very agency which is tasked with responding to natural disasters is shutdown. So, during a time when dangerous weather is impacting our nation from coast to coast, hardworking FEMA personnel are forced to work without pay, the FEMA Go Grant system is offline, and there will be no new appropriations for the disaster relief fund.
This is simply unacceptable. It is time for Senate Democrats to stop trying to appease their far-Left base and instead do their jobs for the American people.
So, in conclusion, I urge my fellow Oklahomans to stay prepared and stay safe during this severe weather season, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join their Republican colleagues in voting to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
