TULSA, Okla.—Vice President Mike Pence is pledging to rebuild parts of Oklahoma damaged by flooding after the Arkansas River left neighborhoods swamped.
Pence, his wife, and federal agency officials toured Tulsa-area neighborhoods on June 4.
“Heartbreaking to survey the damage in Oklahoma, but our Administration is with the people impacted,” Pence wrote on Twitter.
Heartbreaking to survey the damage in Oklahoma, but our Administration is with the people impacted. On June 1, @POTUS approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Oklahoma – giving access to federal funds for clean-up and rebuilding efforts in the Tulsa area. pic.twitter.com/xpyBLSOROT
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) June 4, 2019
The widespread flooding has claimed at least six lives and injured 118. Over 900 homes have seen damages, of which 335 were destroyed.
President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in Oklahoma on June 1.
The declaration will provide federal funding for individuals in counties of Muskogee, Tulsa, and Wagoner to assist with temporary housing, house repairs, and other property loss recovery, according to a White House press release. The regions have suffered from record-breaking flooding since May 7.
Emergency protective measures will also be provided in seven counties including Haskell, Kay, Le Flore, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, and Sequoyah.
Thank you to first responders, National Guard, law enforcement, & volunteers from across the country who stepped up to help in Oklahoma. To those still in need: contact @fema online at https://t.co/CG0HoWGdRJ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. We are WITH you! pic.twitter.com/rnfR5yZCJ7
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) June 4, 2019
The damage extends downstream into Arkansas following heavy spring rains. The Arkansas River is slowly cresting, though more rain is expected the week of June 4. However, major flooding is expected to subside within a few weeks. Officials have said they don’t expect water levels to rise higher than where they crested.
Acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Pete Gaynor said he expects 4,000 individuals and businesses in Oklahoma to register for disaster assistance.
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke toured Tulsa-area damage on Sunday.
NTD reporter Eva Fu contributed to this report.
