Edmond is a disaster

11:55 a.m. Wednesday

Staff Writer Diana Baldwin reports:

Edmond Mayor Dan O’Neil initiated a proclamation Tuesday evening declaring a state of emergency in Edmond. The declaration is a procedural requirement that allows residents to receive eligible assistance from state and federal agencies.

The City’s Emergency Management department activated outdoor warning devices at 2:49 pm Tuesday to alert residents of an impending tornado. Moments later the tornado touched down in northwest Edmond, destroying ten homes and damaging several others.

The Declaration of State of Emergency, signed by the mayor, City Manager Larry Stevens and City Attorney Steve Murdock, states that the mayor and city manager will exercise the powers, functions and duties prescribed by the city’s charter in order to minimize the effects of the emergency.

Emergency Management officials conducted a preliminary damage assessment Tuesday and will be conducting a second assessment today.

Volunteers from Civil Air Patrol, Red Cross and city employees are conducting the damage assessment to document damage and forward the report to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

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