Disaster Declaration for Oklahoma County Approved

Gov. Mary Fallin says the White House has approved a request for federal disaster assistance for Atoka County in the wake of a tornado that killed two people.

The announcement means individuals and business owners affected by the April 14 tornado in Tushka may now qualify for assistance with housing repairs or temporary housing.

The declaration makes U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans available for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property. The loans also can be used for disaster unemployment assistance or as grants for serious needs or necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

In addition to the two deaths, the EF-3 tornado injured 43 people and damaged 237 homes and businesses, destroying 149 of them.