By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Fallin seeks federal declaration for Atoka tornado
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Mary Fallin is seeking a federal disaster declaration for Atoka County in the wake of a deadly tornado that swept through the southeastern Oklahoma town of Tushka.
Two people were killed and 43 others were injured when the tornado struck the town on Thursday. Preliminary damage assessments indicate the storm destroyed 149 homes and businesses and damaged others in the county.
A disaster declaration would provide assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance and grants for disaster expenses not met by other programs.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is performing damage surveys on public buildings and other infrastructure to determine if federal public assistance would benefit municipalities, school districts, counties and the state.